When we are thankful we rejoice.
Our hearts burn with a quiet song as our minds ponder
How one says thank you for gifts beyond our vision.
If we go flying on the wings of the morning
To traverse a continent, or even a distant shore,
How comforting to know that home is safe and secure.
How pleasing to ponder a later return to comforts beyond counting,
And to friends who care.
But when we find our health or our wealth holding us,
Keeping our horizons close at hand,
How pleasant to remember we are in good and caring hands,
To see the dust swept away and our home made tidy anew,
To watch things broken be carefully repaired
With strong and skilled hands,
As we also dwell in a place of widespread floral beauty and pleasing decor.
When we are weary at mealtime, how refreshing to look forward,
Anticipating a table spread with appealing dishes
Presented in gracious style on clean and beautiful linens.
A dinner hour delight of food and conversation to give new strength;
A new beginning for the rest of the day.
In the face of illness, mild or serious, to know that help is very near.
That the touch of a button can bring quickly all the help we need,
For a short while or extended times of affliction.
What a sense of peace, whatever our condition.
And if confusion comes, what security to find strong and loving hands
Holding us, leading us, feeding us, blessing us.
When age takes its toll, when sight or hearing fails,
Or the corridors sway and the handrails seem far or missing,
If walking becomes a burden we cannot bear;
Just to know there are those standing by who care,
Ready to lend a hand and a heart
It is a precious joy, a special pleasure!
When those close to us must depart on their eternal journey,
How thankful we are, encircled by outstretched loving arms and hearts.
And on one dark day when we shall glimpse the farther shore
And the ties with earth grow dim; to know we are surrounded
By those whose touch springs from a tender caring.
Indeed this is a truly incredible gift.
Where we live is so much more than a house with walls.
It is a community, a family, tied with bonds of caring,
And today we celebrate many of those who are a central part.
So many helping persons around us
Whose gift of service adds to our quality of life,
Making each day to be a beautiful gift received.
Through these many expressions of service and love given,
We residents are able to capture an inner enduring glorious meaning
That shall dwell within us always.
For all this we offer our tender and loving “Thank you!”
What a joy to be the receivers of such service!
(October 1998)
(Written to read at a Park Centre employee coffee.)