And so it begins...

What happens when the thermostat is set to 80, the fireplace is blazing, you have just one long table and tons of red, pink and sparkly Valentine’s Day craft supplies and then you squeeze about 50-60 visiting adults and kiddos into a rather small gathering space with about a dozen residents of a memory care facility? What happens is magical!

For Gratitude Generation’s first official event, the mood was magical (albeit a bit sweaty, too), as kids made a heart-shaped and heart-felt banner to decorate the walls of the second-floor gathering space. Some children were watched by residents, others worked diligently peeling sticker backs off and helping residents make hearts of their own. The result was full hearts, and full walls, too.

Then it was story time, where a group story gave an understanding of memories and how important – yet fleeting – they can be. Then small-group story time found children somewhat apprehensive at first, but then turning to residents and reading books, carefully picked from their own collections. The room soon filled with chatter and sweet voices, and adults only stepping in to hold up books and show everyone the cheerful pictures.

Finally, there was a friendly game of bingo where some paired up with residents and others fought fiercely for a coveted electric pencil prize, but mostly the joy of just yelling “bingo!” and doing a little dance for everyone in the room to enjoy.

The room was packed, the ‘What are you GRATEFUL for today?’ banner was colorful and filled in – family, Gratitude Generation, friends, this experience, a house, and so much more.
And so it begins… the Gratitude Generation instilled a sense of service, understanding and gratitude in all who shared in this first of many special events. If you were part of it, we thank you and express our gratitude. If you shared it through this narrative, we hope you can feel the magic. And we hope you’ll join us next time.
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With gratitude, Grateful Girl
Grateful Girl happens to be a Board member for Gratitude Generation, but also hosts a blog on ChicagoNow, which works to inspire moments of gratitude in daily life. Follow me on Facebook or subscribe here http://www.chicagonow.com/grateful-girl,