Today's Challenge - Smile

(Source: Facebook posting)

We challenge you to make at least ten people smile today.

CELEBRATING COUSIN’S DAY

By Diane Forrest

My father had a brother and a sister, and my mother had a sister.  As their siblings grew up, married and had children of their own, they offspring became my first cousins.  My father's brother was the first to have a child; he became the oldest cousin, the cool guy.  He was the one we all looked up to, because he experienced everything first, and shared his experiences with the rest of us. He also lived in the big city in Texas, so was able to do a lot more than us in Mississippi.  He was the first to drive a car, the first to get a job, the first, and as far as I know, the only one to participate in a rodeo.  He was the first to date, the first to graduate, go to college, get married and have children of his own.  Even though we didn't have much opportunity to see him often, the times we spent together were like we had never been apart.  He was, and still is, an amazing superhero cousin.

My father's sister only had one child, a daughter.  She grew up very close to me and became more like a sister than a cousin.  We shared many memories together, many holiday get-togethers, and so much fun.  She was by my side when I was married, when I divorced, when I had my baby, when I remarried, and when my husband passed away.  I know that any time of the day or night I can call her, and she will be there for me, and sometimes even with a frozen Sara Lee Cheesecake with strawberry topping and two forks.

I recently celebrated a milestone birthday and these two cousins conspired together and threw me an incredible birthday weekend.  Even though I had been able to talk and keep up with my oldest cousin, it had been 30 years since I had seen him.  He surprised me along with my other cousin and made the trip from Texas to Mississippi leaving me shocked, awed and surprisingly speechless!

Friends my come and go in your life, but your family will always be there. Some are lucky, and have many close cousins who spend a lot of time together, and some only see each other and family functions.  I am lucky to have wonderful caring cousins that even though time and distance and life circumstances prevent us from seeing each other, I know that all I have to do is call out their name, and I know where ever I am they'll come running as fast as they can.

Today is Cousin's day, so why not take a few minutes and call your cousins or send a text or email just to let them know you are thinking of them and you appreciate them being a part of your life. 

Let us know of your cool cousins.

Make a Difference - Visit someone who is Shut-In

(Google Image)

By Nurse Diane

My husband was bedridden for nearly 3 years.  He became bedridden by the age of 49.  He wasn't the typical type of shut-in that one thinks about, but the only outside communication he had was from me, or by telephone, since he was not very computer savvy.   It was a very sad and lonely existence for him, for me as well, since I couldn't leave him for very long at a time.  He would have loved visits from friends or family, but those were few and far between.  I tried to explain to him that people had their own lives, and was busy and that explanation didn’t help his loneliness.

Well today is a day set aside to visit those who are shut-in.  Today is National Shut-In Visitation Day.  Shut-ins are not just the elderly; they can be any age, for any reason.  Those who are home recovering from an accident or surgery, those with small children and no transportation, and the elderly and cripple.  They can be found in hospitals, nursing homes, senior care facilities, other family member's homes, and even your own neighborhood.

It is incredibly hard for someone who was once independent and free to travel as they desired, to give up that freedom, and be stuck at home and dependent on the help of others.  So today, take some time out and spread a little joy and happiness to someone you know who is shut in.  If you don't know of anyone, check with your church or local hospital, nursing home, or adult living facility, and ask about their visiting hours, and who would benefit from a visit.  It will be only a few minutes of your time and will really brighten a home bound person's whole day!

...worth a 1,000 words ...

National Shut-In Visitation Day

(Google Image) 

By Nurse Diane,

When I was in the youth group at my church, we would visit residents at the local nursing home each month.  We would walk around...say hi, then sing a song or two, then leave.  When my son was young I would take him to one of the nursing homes where he would pass out cards he had made.  He loved to visit them and entertain them, and they enjoyed out visits.

(Google Image) 

Later, when I went to work at a nursing home it was painful to see that the majority of the residents had no visitors.  The staff visited with them, and they talked to each other, but those who were not able to leave their rooms to go to the main hall were still without company and companionship.  This fact really hit close to home when my own husband became paralyzed.  The town where we live is not very accessible, and he was limited to where he could go in his wheelchair.  Matters became worse when he was bedridden.  Hundreds of days stuck in the bed with no one to visit him or talk to, except for me.  The occasional visit would brighten his day and fill him with such happiness.

After he passed away last year I began to learn of others who were home bound.  I have since made it a point to go by and visit if only for a few minutes.  I take cookies or soup, some flowers or a book and just let them know that someone is thinking of them, and cares about their well-being.

(Google Image) 

Today is National Shut-In Visitation Day.  If you have a friend or neighbor who is homebound, stop by and say hi, it will only take a few moments out of your day, but will make some person's whole day.