Austria, May to October 2024
Every Monday, when the weather is good, we volunteer at the St. Klara Nursing Home.
Some of the residents have little or even no visitors who come see them. So we try to make sure that they get out into the fresh air at least once a week during the warmer season with the help of wheelchairs or walkers.
The different residents that we assist have varying needs which can bring us different challenges when attending to them. We take them through a beautiful nearby park and it is immediately clear to see the benefits that the outing has upon them. Straight away their attention is positively engaged in the constantly changing scenery.
At the flower garden, we usually stop to look at the beauty and diversity of the plants. We regularly meet two elderly nuns who work there as gardeners. They certainly don’t mind being interrupted from their work nurturing the plants and always take the time to chat with us. The various rest areas invite us to linger. These include a shady apple tree with a bench and a place near the fountain, where the wind sprinkles fine water droplets into the atmosphere. Sometimes we sing songs that are familiar to everyone as we immerse ourselves in reminiscing to evoke happy memories in the minds of our new friends.
The cheerful, relaxed atmosphere during these outings has a very invigorating and beneficial effect on our new friends. Their everyday life is enhanced as it gains color and variety away from the mundane routine of everyday life.
The farewells are always very fond and meaningful for everyone. There are shared smiles, words of gratitude, cheerfulness on faces, and the hope of meeting again in the near future.
