Made with a paper-mache box, a copy of a heritage photo, vintage buttons, scraps
of CottageArts.net's’ papers, and Mod-Podge®, this project evokes pleasant
memories, laughter, and an occasional nostalgic tear! Note: Papers printed on
Epson printer with Epson Double-Sided Matte Paper, which works well with
decoupage (ink doesn't run). |
Hope in the
Memories (Part 2) - Memories, Reminisce, “Remember when……”
are all words that give our hearts a “warm fuzzy”. When a child of eight
reminisces with his ten year-old brother, beginning with the statement “remember
when we were little?” it brings a smile to our face. We know that they have only
begun storing up the memories of a lifetime! When a mother of 40 tearfully says
goodbye to her 18 year-old at the college dorm, she comforts herself with the
childhood memories of her “baby”. When a grandmother of 80 sees her
granddaughter walk down the aisle, she fondly remembers her own weeding so many
years ago. Reminiscing is fun, healing, and poignant.
As the Resident Services Director of Horizon Health’s Assisted
Living Facilities (the Harmony Houses), I am responsible for coordinating our
Activity Program. Since most of our residents are over the age of 70 and have
memory loss, reminiscing is my best tool! Most memory loss diseases rob people
of their short-term memory. As the disease progresses, the person’s reality
becomes farther and farther in the past. Many no longer yearn to go home to
their spouse, but home to their parents. They live in their childhood, and
thinking about their “lost” parents could be very traumatic! Reminiscing about
their past, helping them to remember which high school they attended, their
courtship, their wedding day, can slowly bring them back to adulthood, and may
lessen that yearning for their lost childhood.
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