Dear Diary,

Getting old sucks big time!! I know this is not the correct way to express myself but sometimes being prim and proper does NOT get the message through to society.  Today I went to visit the nursing home after a 2 week absence due to an illness (go figure, at my age I go and get an ear infection..what’s that about?) Well, as I catch up with my residents, I find that a few have lost family members and a few are still lonely since they have no family to visit them. Well, it’s always sad when I leave my friends behind because I leave with a weight on my shoulders wondering and worrying if they are being taken care of when I am not there.

Sure, I’m only a volunteer but these people mean so much to me that at times I forget I am NOT family but a volunteer just going in there making sure they are taking care of. Well, I rather be a volunteer with no pay and make a difference to my new found friends than a paid employee who doesn’t give a ‘hoot’ about their feelings or how they are spending their days. If I could, I would quit my job and spend as much time as I could with these elderly people who are hungry for affection, a kind word and even a smile…but sadly, I must keep my full time job or face my significant other and be possibly berated and or frowned upon because I would be putting the needs of others ahead of ours.

Well, it was only a 3-hour day today but I made a difference in quite a few lives. Yes, I made a few of them smile and even laugh at my stupid jokes but I came away feeling good about myself.  One day I will have more time to spend with them, but for now I will be content with the few hours I spend in the weekends making a difference. Yes, I am making a difference and I’m hoping those reading this will also make a difference and an impact by encouraging others to read and share and maybe, just maybe others will join me in volunteering their time to those who need a kind word, smile or gesture to get them through their day.

For now, I sign off until my next entry.

Life is good….