Spending time with the elderly can make a difference

There are lots of young people who live in their homes with their family and have lots of friends. I often think about elderly people who live in nursing homes and may feel lonely at times. I wonder if family and friends visit them often. I decided that I wanted to make a difference and make special cards for the seniors in the nursing homes. I asked my two fifth-grade classes to make some cards, too.

Recently, I walked into the Nesconset Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation with my mom, dad and my sister RoseMarie. We walked into a big quiet room filled with 35 elderly people. Some were sitting in wheelchairs. I carried a big white wicker basket filled with special handmade cards from my classmates. As I stood in front of them, they all looked at me with such a sweet sparkle in their eyes. I introduced myself and shared with them a little information about my school and some of my favorite hobbies. I couldn’t believe how they all gave me their attention and smiled as if they had known me all my life.

As RoseMarie and I gave out these happy cards, they thanked us with such joy in their hearts. It was such a big deal that we visited them and gave them pretty cards. They were laughing and talking as if they had just received lots of birthday presents. I knew I had made a difference with this simple act of kindness.

It would be wonderful if more schools got involved with something special for seniors in nursing homes. Schools could also send students to bring the cards to the nursing homes during different times and holidays. I am sure this would make them feel so delighted and special. After all, they also need to feel important and loved.

Jennifer Guerriero’s fifth-grade class, St. Patrick School, Smithtown