A Seniors’ Story: Gratitude

We thought we’d share with you this letter from a resident in the seniors’ centre:

A message of gratitude to my Cridge family,

Every morning, after thanking God for His gift of a new day, I sing quietly in my heart but loudly in the great outdoors, “I am full of joy, ALLELUIA, knowing deep peace at the Cridge, my home!”  My nine decades of living have convinced me that all my memories; joy and sorrow, success and failure, doubt and faith, tragedy and comedy; are seeds of hope.

In my time here my life experience has already proved a reality. In three and a half months all of my Cridge memories are seeds of hope producing everlasting flowers of peace and joy, or courage and compassion, of laughter and song, and of fine food and gentle, cheerful service.

In 2002, when macular degeneration started the deterioration of my eyesight, I experienced deep fear. Soon, however, I realized that my near blindness is one of God’s greatest gifts to me because through it I meet caring, compassionate people whom I would never have met if my eyesight were perfect. Here at the Cridge I am even more aware of the importance of God’s gift because were I not nearly blind I might not have chosen the Cridge as my home. How foolish I would have been! How blessed I am!!!

My family, there is no way you can possibly understand how deep is my appreciation of your caring love and service.

Gratefully.