Today was a humbling day. As our activity, we did hand massages for the residents. For most of the day I assumed someone would be coming in to do it but... nope. It was my supervisor, myself, and another volunteer. At first I was like "no way! I've never given a hand massage." But the joy of being a volunteer/intern means sometimes... You're it!
I actually enjoyed it more than I thought. I'm certainly no expert or even any good at it, but the residents are so sweet and thankful. I found myself getting to know several of them on a deeper level. It's a very personal experience to be kneeling at someone's feet massaging their hands, and many of them opened up to me and talked. It was very special and I love some of the new friendships I have with some of them.
The dementia ward was an interesting place to give hand massages. Some of them were confused and even unnerved by it. I upset one lady because my hands were too cold, bless her heart! Others were obediently accepting of it and enjoyed it. Another sweet lady fell asleep. One lady shocked me! I explained what I was doing (giving a hand massage). I put a small dab of lotion on her hand and, before I could stop her, she licked it off and politely thanked me. I swallowed the gasp in my throat and gently reminded her it wasn't to eat, but for your skin!
The volunteer tried to give one man a hand massage and completely freaked him out because his wife was coming and he "didn't want to upset her". What a sweet loyal man! He paced the hallway for a long time, like he does every day, waiting for her. He asked me periodically if i saw her and repeatedly wanted to know 1) where his room was (so he could get it ready for her) and 2) what door she would be coming through. She faithfully visits him every afternoon. The sweet faithfulness of that couple is admirable.
Also very admirable are the staff there. The gentleness and love they show for the residents every day is such a blessing to me. They truly care about each of them and you can see it in their faces. I'm learning so much from them!
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