Occasionally, Lubbock Junior Academy students visit Quail Ridge Dementia Center and Ventura Retirement Village which are both within walking distance of the school. The students love to sing and visit with the residents. This December, we sang songs to them from our Christmas Program. Some of the seniors sang with us and clapped after each song. After the program the students took time to shake hands and visit with the residents.
These visits feel more akin to visiting family and spending time in their homes. The students were impressed with the care the residents receive and how friendly they are. One of the senior friends asked them to sing, “Jingle Bells”. The LJA principal had to search through the cobwebs of her brain to remember to begin the song with, “Dashing through the snow!”
After our program and visiting, the Center’s caregiver gave us a tour of the facility. We were shown the daily activity calendar plus the inside of a resident’s apartment. Each building was decorated for Christmas festivities. It would be difficult to be sad in these places.
The students were on their best behavior and were gracious guests. One day soon, we’ll see our senior friends with perfect bodies and minds. We will not be singing “Jingle Bells”, but the song of the Redeemed.
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