by Puja Jain (B-498 NFC) 9810627927: NFC RWA (Ashoka Park)
Am sure all of us squarely admire our dear parents who have made us what we are today through their untiring efforts of raising us and unlimited love, affection and guidance always for all those years. Now that we are at an age and stage of life where we can take ample care of ourselves and our respective families (thanx of course, to our parents), we, with the roles being reversed attempt to take care of them and ensure (what they ensured for us)…. “happiness always”.
Aging adults face/can face a number of challenges, from loneliness to failing health. It is obvious that volunteering with senior citizens is a great way to thank them for their years of service and to help brighten their days. There, of course, are plenty of ways one can make them feel special. And when it comes to gifts for parents and grandparents “sentimentality” still plays a role. If we can come up with something that will make their lives easier, healthier, or more fun, we definitely can bring a smile to their faces.
Thus, in an endeavor to bring some cheer, joy and a huge ‘Smile’ on the beautiful faces of our very own ‘senior citizens’, the NFC RWA (Ashoka Park) decided to visit them to wish them a ‘Happy Diwali’ by presenting to them a ‘hamper of homemade goodies’ from the kitchens of the members of the Managing Committee of the NFC RWA keeping in mind the health of our seniors.
The senior citizens visited were 75+ years of age and who stayed alone (considering that their children were resident abroad or in another city etc.). The idea was to spend some quality time with them considering their loneliness and that they may not get a lot of visitors. In fact, the feeling that we experienced is not one that can be expressed in words. Our hearts were filled with gratitude when the seniors just welcomed as with ‘wide open arms’ and said that their happiness knew no bounds by being meted with such special treatment!! They made us promise more visits and that too on an absolute regular basis.
Some seniors also asked us to help them with installing various apps on their respective mobile phones, some were desirous of being taught how to use the internet and play games on their mobiles (vow!!), some wanted help with saving numbers of electricians/plumbers and our numbers so that they can reach out to us as and when needed, etc. A few others requested for help for being taught how to send emails to their friends and family, check the news, use social media and avoid scams and viruses. Over all, it was a truly enriching experience with the added feeling of being loved so dearly by our seniors.
