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Hands in a heart shape

A Community of Caring

Sep 9, 2017

A few weeks ago, I traveled to Duluth to officiate a funeral for one of our dear residents from the WestRidge community in Minnetonka. As a chaplain, it is a high honor to care for families through their grieving and to invoke beautiful memories they can cherish throughout their lives. We all know how important it is in those times to be surrounded by friends and family who care. As I look back on my life, I cherish the beautiful memories of how people have shown simple acts of caring; a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, a word of thanks, a hug, even a smile. This is what makes life beautiful.

Now when it came time for me to return home from the Duluth area, I thought I’d stop to visit two other Avinity sites close to Duluth. The first person I met was the chef. What I saw in him was a caring spirit. He had great enthusiasm to provide splendid dinners for the residents. You could see how much he loved the people he was serving. In fact, as I toured each senior residence there, I saw great love and respect and a community of caring. The staff genuinely had a strong heart of caring for the people they served in their senior communities. I was reminded why I love being a part of the Avinity family. It is a Community of Caring! The staff at all the locations I serve and have visited are truly, first and foremost, committed to caring for the residents and even for their fellow workers. Acts of kindness abound.

Just take some time and look for the many acts of caring around you. I’ve seen many a resident caring for their neighbors in kind ways such as: notes of encouragement, through cut-out hearts posted on a door of a resident receiving chemo-therapy, many hugs, the sharing of tears, and presenting gifts of those lovely coloring pages which have become so popular. The list goes on and on. I found a quote by Leo Buscaglia which echoes what I see at each residence I’ve seen:

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

 The Apostle Paul knew how important caring for one another would be for the early church. Read what he had to say, and take it to heart and live in such a way to:

 Philippians 2:4

…do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

 Galatians 6:2

Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

 Romans 12:10

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.

 Galatians 6:10

So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

 Colossians 3:12

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

There is no small act of caring. Your acts of kindness brighten people’s days and can as Leo Buscaglia says: “…have the potential to turn a life around.”

Chaplain Lane Skoglund