Knuckling down

 

Three projects targeted to move forward over the next week (yes - week.  not month or year):

• Heart Choir
• Final Wish Data Base
• Monthly Cairnwood Village "you're in our hearts" event.

HEART CHOIR - not an actual choir, but a resource data base of locals who love to sing are available to sing for those in need of uplifting song.  Perhaps a older person who can't get out to church anymore & misses hearing the hymns, someone in need of a lyrical lift, or folks in their final days.  There's lots of info on hospice choirs, but strikes me that lots of folks could use a bit of live singing in their lives!  All ages could sign up as soloists, duets, trios, ensembles.  Musicians, too.  Totally volunteer, if when & how they can.  It's doable, so why not be the one to do it?

 

Final Wish - inspired in equal parts by Doug & Erin Tierney Kramp's book, Living With The End In Mind and my mother, the Final Wish data base would be a way for members & friends of the Bryn Athyn Church society to register a "wish list" for their memorial service/celebration.  

     

My John's first impression of Mom (visiting Australia when we fell in love) came the  night we first talked about getting married;  I hauled out a copy of our hymnal to show him the marriage service & a piece of paper fell out - headed KRL's memorial, it listed four hymns she wanted & ended with the words, Enjoy!  Certainly made an impression on my beloved!

Almost ten years later, Mom sketched out the details of her memorial service during our drive back from DisneyWorld, four years before her 2001 reunion with her O! Best Beloved.  When the time came, knowing what she wanted made everything much simpler than it might have been.  She even asked Tom Rose if he'd do her service - long before she passed!  And sort of freaked out Richard & Nora, asking if they'd take the lead in singing, You'll Never Walk Alone.  As it turned out, she didn't pick out any hymns for her service - she asked each of us kids to pick a favorite.   

So much of what I seek to accomplish with my older friends, their families & loved ones is based on what I experienced for & through Mom.  Final Wish is a good example.  Having what Mom wanted spelled out simplified planning her service.  No one had to guess what she wanted, no disagreements or disgruntled feelings. 


Cairnwood Village - Surprised myself yesterday, shelling out $15 for MINGLE magazine.  It's been a fun thumb-thru, but purchase?  The parties are typically way too high-concept for moi, although always look like mega fun.  But last night, for no obvious reason, I bought it.  Then, while I lay sleeping, my brain percolated images I'd seen in its pages, blending them with - of all places - our cozy local senior residence!  

 

All sorts of fun flitted through my dreams!  Pot lucks put on by teams of different community families - simple tasty fare that spoke volumes about the love & appreciation we hold for men & women who continue to serve as role models & mentors.  Warm weather concerts or croquet tournaments on the rarely used grassy commons. 

The occasional Sundae Sundays, with ice cream & toppings & homemade cookies.  Take Tea With Audrey - afternoon teas, complete with scones & tea sandwiches, perhaps with a local gardener on hand, then viewing a Gardens of the World episode. 

What lovely dreams!  Time to knuckle down, create a plan to make each reality, then put in the work to make each happen.  

Of all the items on my agenda, these three seem the simplest to achieve in the shortest amount of time.  But only savvy focus, directed energy, then taking the best next step after best next step will make it so!