Seniors

Memories

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments



What happens to our memories
When tomorrow comes to call?
Do they sit around discussing
If we remember them at all!

Or do they gently fall asleep
And doze off in their dens
And dream of days when we may come
To wake them up again!

Memories
By Peter Caligiuri
Copyright © 2026
All rights reserved

What do you think about your memories? If you are a seasoned citizen like me, have you tried to preserve them in some way for your family and friends? If you are young, have you taken time to ask the older folks in your circle if they will tell you theirs? I had the privilege in my own case to sit down with my Great-grandmother as she opened her scrap books and showed me pages filled with memories including a visit to the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair! With my dad, I often listened to him telling stories of growing up in New York in the 1920′-30’s. My favorite was of the time he was about eight and my aunt Helen who was seven at the time, were sent to the butcher to pick out a live chicken for the Sunday dinner. Then they waited as the man ushered the chosen bird into eternity, plucked its feathers, wrapped it in butcher paper and put it in a sack to carry it home. They each held one handle keeping the bird dangling in between, so no one had to touch it! In the last ten years of dad’s life, I came across a wonderful book titled, “Letter’s From Dad” by Miles Everhart. After reading the book, I bought three copies; one for each of our sons and one for my dad. This book gives the story of the author’s realization of the value of family memories, and he gives a nice template to use for either yourself or others. I am sure that there are other great resources out there that do similar things, so if you have any other suggestions, please leave them in the comments. Have a blessed and memorable week everyone!

Making Melody at Nursing Home

/ pastorpete51 / 7 Comments 
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody 
in your heart to the Lord - Ephesians 5:19 KJV

Singing is so important that it is one of the few things we do on earth that we will also do in heaven. The key in helping seniors to sing, is finding ways, for everyone to make melody in their heart to Jesus. So, the best songs to choose are the ones that everyone can sing, because there must always be a “We” in worship. Here are three ideas that have helped me along the way.

First, remember that the voices of senior saints are not what they were when they were younger. But if George Beverly Shea and Burl Ives could record music into their 80’s and 90’s; there certainly is a way we can help seniors to participate. To begin with, the key we are playing the songs in makes a huge difference. Hymns were often written for much younger voices or for choirs to sing. Though those original keys were nice they are not sacrosanct. There is certainly nothing wrong with singing “Holy-Holy-Holy” in a key that is low enough for someone besides the cherubim and seraphim to join in!

Secondly, not only are our people’s voices changing, but their ears have also grown older. I happen to have an exceptionally loud voice (ask my wife!) and because of that I rarely use a microphone. But if you have a sound system available, please use it! If there is no microphone available, consider moving closer to your listeners. With my guitar I can walk back and forth in the room, and turn directly towards people, so that they can hear the notes, and hearing helps them to keep up with where we are at in the lyrics.

Finally remember that pacing and rhythm matter. In a nursing home meeting, even on a great day, most people only have energy to focus for about thirty minutes. Some have medications that make them sleepy, or aches and pains that make it difficult to stay put for long. The last thing we want to do is incorporate so many slow and gentle hymns, that half our audience falls asleep! I usually start out with familiar and easy songs such as “Just a Closer Walk”, so that as many people as possible join in. Then we usually pick up the pace a bit, with as many joyful songs as I have the energy for. Even Sunday school songs like, “The Joy of the Lord is My Strength” or “I’ve Got the Joy-Joy-Joy” work well. Just because they are older, doesn’t mean our friends won’t enjoy some fun and laughter. They will have plenty of problems to greet them after they leave our service. Of course, the idea is not just to sing fast songs, rather to give a variety. It is a good idea to slow down near the end of the service, for songs such as “The Old Rugged Cross”, “How Great Thou Art” or “In the Garden.” Now they are ready to focus, to pray and to allow God to speak His melody into their hearts. If you have any questions, would like to make a comment, or share your own experiences, please do. Someone may need to hear what you have to say!

Every Day’s a Gift

/ pastorpete51 / 2 Comments

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 1 Corinthians 1:26 ESV

This morning, I took a friend down for an appointment with her neurologist, because lately she has gotten lost on the way. Since the visit stretched on for an hour and a half, it gave me plenty of time to read, and to observe the many patients streaming in and out of the office. At one point my knees were getting stiff, so I went to the door and as I began to step outside, I noticed a man coming up the walk, trailed by an older gentleman, who I took to be his father. Since I was in the doorway anyway, I held it open, for them, and they both smiled and thanked me, but the older man also apologetically said, “Sorry, but I’m a little slow.” Once they entered, the receptionist had forms for them to fill out and the younger one, pulled out a bag full of prescription bottles and proceeded to make sure they were the same as those already printed out on the form. Then, apparently that being the only purpose of their visit, after they finished the paperwork, and answered a few questions, they turned and headed towards the door. Again, the older man trailed far behind, shuffling a bit with his feet. “Have a good day,” I said as they passed.

Not expecting anything else to be said, I turned back to reading the day’s news on my phone, but as the older man reached for the door, he turned, flashed a smile towards me and said,

Remember, every day’s a gift!”.

As they headed home, I realized that, while most of us had seen this man with sympathy, but few could see how aware he was of his position in life. Once he could have sprinted up the walk, flung open the door and been the one helping others to their seats. But now, hobbled by years, and a body that no longer cooperated with him he bravely was entering a new and challenging chapter in life. But in his weakness, he had recognized grace and saw that grace could help in his weakest state. He had come to recognize that God was over it all, and as firmly in control as He has ever been. He had seen that, life is a gift, and in fact, all that God had done was a gift, from creation to the Cross. God planted the garden, then gave it to man. God created Eve and presented her to Adam. God even feeds the birds he created and gave them songs to cheer us. He sent His only Son, then gave His most precious gift of all, the blood of Jesus Christ for our sins. And right now, God offers a much overlooked and amazing gift. God’s gift is for Muslims and Hindus, for pastors and paper boys, for children and especially for one man who can only shuffle up the walkway to his doctor’s office. He has found that while he can no longer work, play baseball, or even drive his own car, he can be grateful and give a smile to me and say, “Remember, every day’s a gift!”