I had the wonderful opportunity to go back to the Queen of Peace Elderly Home with my last group of pilgrims from New England. The residents were all waiting for us and it was interesting to see that chairs were being moved around and people getting ready for their spa treatment from us novices. Sr. Ellen asked that I orchestrate the delivery of duties - there would need to be foot washings, nail clippings, hand & nail moisture treatments, and a final celebration at the conclusion.
I handed out scrubbers, clippers, soap. Junie went for water to begin the soakings. And as we needed water, these girls were there to help us get some more.So we began our task at hand - each one of us taking a responsibility for one chore. I was in charge of women seeking foot facials.
I had met a woman in blue at church on Sunday, and knowing that she lived at the elderly home she had smiled at me and said "Bonjour" and wanted to sit next to me in the pew. She was wearing her Sunday best for church and she was wearing it again when I saw her this day. She sweetly smiled as I washed her feet. How beautiful she is.
Another woman was blind and from time to time I would splash a little water on her feet to reassure her that I would get to her once I had finished with the other woman, so she wouldn't think that I had forgotten her. How funny, when I started to do her feet, she picked up her skirt so that I could wash up to her knees. She turned to me and nodded her head so I would continue to do my assignment.
Two other women have been here for some time. I am always amazed at how soft their skin is and how much they love to be touched and pampered. When you wash their feet, you realize how difficult their lives have been since their feet are so hard from walking barefoot on the paths of rocks. I had a chance to witness this in my walk to and from the elderly house because we had to cross a narrow path of rocks so as not to get wet.
I got a chance to meet the new fellow who replaced the old gentlemen that I had always seen at the elderly home since it was built. He always educated us on how old he was. When asked if he was really 104 years old, he had responded, "Well can you prove that I'm not?" Sadly, he had died since my last visit. I recalled that he would always challenge the strangers to a game of dominoes, and he would always win. The new elderly gentleman taking his place had a kind smile and seemed very shy.
So, after I was done washing feet, I asked if anyone played dominoes anymore. Could we get a game going? It was so funny....I said I needed help and this gentleman came running over and began "helping" me. Another woman slyly placed the dominoes on the table as if they were a special treasure reserved for special guests. There was a funny thing going on between the two ladies, Jen, and myself. One woman (who had cataract surgery on one eye in August 2008 and could see in that eye) - she was chattering away and couldn't keep her mind on the game. The other woman was very serious and sneaking her pieces in while I was distracted trying to get directions from the experienced fellow. After a while, he got frustrated while I was strategizing and just took over my plays for me - there's this slamming that goes along with the game as they perfect their plays. When we tried to clean up the lines of dominoes, they would get frustrated - no need for that! He happily congratulated me when I won the game (with his help!)
So then, Sr. Ellen asked the residents to sing for us. I had watched earlier while Françoise had done this very frail gentleman's hands and he seemed to adore her. He broke out into song and she joined in with him. It was so sweet and he really wanted to impress her with his singing ability. She in turn was delighted to sing in French and knew all of the songs they were singing. When asked to sing in return, we, Americans, belted out the first verse of Amazing Grace and then someone reciprocated by singing the French version. It was very entertaining and the air was filled with a lovely camaraderie of song and spirit. After a few hours we left these wonderful individuals who delight in the attention of strangers when they come to visit. I always leave the Queen of Peace Elderly Home feeling at peace and full of love for Haiti.
