Living out of an Army duffle bag and toting a few essential possessions, including a single sheet of notebook paper that he’s kept folded in his wallet. The folded piece of paper is a game of hangman that SGT Gary Sabby and Melissa played together. “It has been with me and will remain so for many, many years to come,” SGT Sabby told me.
The Soldier
This is a possession that travels with our service man, which to some may sound crazy. When you know you are not staying anywhere long, that’s when you need that game of hangman memento that you and your loved one played; and you cling to memories of home and to the special ones in your family. To our SGT Gary and Melissa overseas this Christmas that special person is … Grandma.
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US Army SGT Gary Sabby of Minnesota stationed in Bahrain, and Melissa based in Germany enriched our Christmas with a request. They reached out to me through our web-site at Woodbury Senior Living and I responded immediately with news that we will, indeed, make this a special Christmas for Grandma who is recovering at our facility.
Enriching Your Spirit This Christmas
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The minutes of the day tick by so ferociously that it’s easy to disregard how others are feeling. It is awfully easy to think of ourselves more haughtily than our true stature dictates. Consider the things that cloud our minds: pride, being right, complaining, playing the gotcha game, and letting the busy-ness of life -- take over. Not taking the time to be vis-a vis to one another and truly understand our families, friends and colleagues. Recently, I thought about how our personal lives seem to be devoted to picking up after other people (children, friends, and animals), and how nice it would be to live an uncluttered life at home and at work. How about having the time to enrich the spirit and attempt to figure out where it is going? Or is the selfless service toward others actually the truest attempt and we only realize later in life?
The same morning we planned a very special visit to SGT Sabby’s Grandma, a close friend informed me that her niece died in a tragic accident. The niece was 24 years old. I realize that what tragedy is, in human terms, is most assuredly not tragedy in God’s terms. Much of what we believe to be tragedy or “unfair” is our desire to keep things as-is and predictable / static; for as long as possible, maybe forever. But if we ever got our wish and what is today was forever, we would be more miserable than in our earlier state. Even so, life’s failings are hard to understand when they land upon us during such an idealistic time of year.
City of Woodbury
“How are you?” is asked with warmth and compassion by Mayor Mary Giuliani-Stephens and Councilmember Amy Scoggins with Allan Barr, our administrator. I’ve watched our new administrator go to each person in the entire building with a greeting for the Holidays. Our Woodbury Mayor and Councilmember Scoggins came out to meet SGT Sabby’s grandmother and many more residents as soon as I asked. Many people can do this so well; they make wonderful visits. What I noticed most this morning from our special visitors was how they paid attention to our resident’s words and expressions. Do you really listen to the answer when you ask, “How are you? “ It lifted our spirits. I know Mayor Giuliani-Stephens and Amy Scoggins felt the wit and whimsy at our campus. The duo behind the City enriched us, and they know that having FUN is also a permanent resident with our nurses, social workers and maintenance men. When you are working with the elderly, there is no putting on false airs. You’ll feel transformed, you’ll be different and you’ll learn lessons like… garbage in, garbage out, kindness out, hope found.
Think of Woodbury as a One-town-fits-all destination.
A heart-health boost came from an RN that I had never met before, but called me on the same day as Melissa and Gary. Angie Hoyme is currently a-stay-at-home mom who wanted to volunteer her time & donate gifts anonymously. Angie arrived with Christmas trees to SGT Scabby’s grandma and her roommate; and left presents for any residents that would not be receiving visitors this year.
New Woodbury resident Samantha Alter came with Mary-Kay products and 3M SEMS Laboratory, Nancy & Jenni delivered the largest Poinsettias we ever did see for our residents. Sooty from cleaning the fireplace on Sunday morning I accepted four new blankets from Cathy Kendal. That delivery from my friend from Roseville, cost me breakfast though!
Good Stress: Bad Stress
Studies show that people who volunteer their time have lower cholesterol, inflammation, and body mass index levels - all markers of cardiovascular health. Researchers explain that giving back, boosts mood and protects against harmful effects of stress.
The Wrestler
Good Stress that's beneficial and motivating is when former professional wrestler, Olympic weightlifter and Strongman competitor Ken Patera puts our guests, Mayor Mary and councilmember Amy Scoggins in a headlock. “Watch out Mayor, Patera has fought Baron Von Raschke, ‘The Claw’ ”, warns social worker Emily Rheault. She doubted her own mediating skills seeing the City’s duo heads locked inside of Patera’s armpits!
This little Irish woman bravely intervened immediately with slightly more grace than Mean Gene Okerlund. I talked about the old country, an Ireland of sad song and story, where elders of the motherland gather to swap sweet lies and bitter truths and how they never permitted themselves to dream of America…
The Lament Works a Dream Every Time
Whew…the grip loosened. Instead, Ken Patera took us to the room at Woodbury Senior Living and showed us the true gift he has of storytelling, fellowship and camaraderie. It provided GREAT medicine, laughter for both the soul and mind.
Heart-Felt Help
A simple Christmas wish came from Sgt. Gary and Melissa, our comrades overseas for their precious grandmother. Much of the time we are too busy to be bothered or too sophisticated to get on our knees. Witnessing how our city of officials, colleagues and friends had interacted, I attempted, once again, to figure out where the spirit is going. This Christmas I learned how little effort it takes to make life more wonderful and beautiful, and just how worth doing so has become.
“When love exists, nothing else matters- not life’s predicaments, not the fury of the years, not a physical winding down” - Isabel Allende
A salute to you SGT Gary, Mellissa, Grandma, The Wrestler, Mayor Mary Giuliani-Stephens, Amy Scoggins and our family of volunteers.
A nod to Tammy and Ron Bakerberg who dressed as Santa Clause and spent the day with me at the Villa when they could have been out shopping the Saturday before Christmas. To Karen Bauman who calls Bingo every Tuesday night for the past five years at the Villa.
A happy bark out to Jesse, a 7 year old Black Lab, Shepherd mix and his owner Holly Fitzenberger from Stillwater who visits our elderly at the Estates. And, a thanks to St. Ambrose Catholic Church members who turn up on Monday mornings at 10:00 to say the Rosary with our elders.
Happy Christmas to ye all. Happy Christmas to all I have forgotten to mention. Thank you all.
“The spirit's foe in man has never been simplicity; but sophistication.”
- George Santayana
