Sometimes We Just Need a Little Grace
This is my dog. Her name is Grace. We fondly call her Gracie.
Gracie is a miniature pinscher, born just over 9 years ago, the last of a six-puppy litter. She was barely 3 inches long at birth and a third the size of the other puppies. We doubted she would survive. Her mother rejected her and tried to throw her out of “the nest” because she was different than the other puppies.
But my children and I believed in Gracie’s survival. We fed her by hand with an eyedropper as we cradled her in our palms, and we gave her the love and nurture she didn’t get from her own family of dogs. I had to lay her mother on my lap so that Gracie could be nursed apart from the others. When she was too weak to nurse, the kids and I took shifts to feed her around the clock and speak encouraging words of survival to her. Soon she became the strongest and most dominant of the pack, although still the smallest. She could fend off her five littermates from the food bowl with a fierce growl and scary glance. And Gracie repaid our faith in her will to live by returning the care and comfort she received from us with a lifetime of love and companionship.
Now that she is an older adult dog, she shows those signs of aging that we all do: gray hair, hearing loss, cataracts, stiff joints, and some excess weight around the middle. But like so many of us Baby Boomer humans, Gracie has the heart and soul of her younger years. She will still chase a chipmunk, but no longer catches it. She can still jump around with excitement, but then promptly falls asleep on the couch. Even in her old age, she continues to teach us about another kind of grace.
When I return from a business trip, Gracie is the first to greet me. Long before my husband or kids make it to the door, she hears my footsteps and comes running. You would think I was the most important person on earth as she jumps and whines and licks me, climbing in my lap for some affection. She makes me feel like a queen. It doesn’t matter to Gracie if I am in a grumpy mood, if I’m overweight, or if my hair is gray. She doesn’t care if I’m smart or not, or if others find me attractive. I am her person! She loves me the same in the morning, noon, or night and she never holds a grudge. In fact, I think that my dog seems to know more about unconditional love than many people do. She doesn’t hold my faults against me and she loves me just the way I am. She always shows it no matter what else has happened in the day. Gracie is the one at my feet in every room of the house. She sleeps next to me when I watch TV. She follows me everywhere. She is always at the door to protect me from strangers. She would give her life for mine in an instant if she could, and without a thought for herself. I sometimes find myself wishing that I had her strength of character.
It is a wonder to me that an ordinary, common, little runt of a dog without the powers of human reasoning could possess qualities that we so seldom see in people. The judgment and unforgiveness of others, sometimes even among our own families, is outshone by the loyalty and companionship that little Grace gives me every day.
So, maybe today we can learn a lesson from the simplest of God’s creatures. Show your enthusiasm for life and each other. Be a loyal companion. Take time to show affection. Miss each other terribly when you are apart. Be happy when you are together again. Forget past mistakes and harsh words. Practice forgiveness. And above all, love unconditionally.
Five Healthy and Fun Family Activities for Fall
Fall is a time of beautiful colors and crisp, fresh air, especially in places like the Western slope in Colorado. There are many simple family activities you can do with children and grandchildren to take advantage of this time of year, from Halloween tricks and treats to Thanksgiving traditions. Here are some that our family enjoys.
Go apple-picking
There’s nothing like picking apples straight off the tree. Besides the amazement that a good fruit-bearing tree could actually feed a family all year with delicious fruit (provided you do the work of canning and freezing), you have the satisfaction of knowing right where the apples came from. No processing or waiting to see them in the grocery store. That is as healthy and fresh as it can get! Have the kids and grandkids help. Use laundry baskets to collect the apples, then take them home and wash thoroughly to remove any dirt or pesticides. Shine them up with a clean kitchen towel and store in the refrigerator to make them last longer. If you live in a cooperative climate, think about planting your own fruit trees. This year, one of our apple trees bore more than a thousand apples, and we picked them by hand, put them in cute bowls with scary spider rings and ribbons, then gave them to family members and friends. We had still plenty to eat, make pies and applesauce with, and experienced the joy of sharing with others.
Organize a costume exchange
A lovely tradition at some churches is the annual costume exchange. Throughout October, the church gathers donations of gently used costumes from willing donors. Flyers are distributed in the community to advertise free costumes on a Saturday at the church for any who needs one. The women of the church bake cookies and have special treats available for that day. People from the town who might not be able to afford costumes for their kids visit as a family and get costumes free of charge while enjoying a time of neighborly fellowship.
Decorate pumpkins
Whether you have small children, teens, or grandkids, visiting the pumpkin patch is a treat. Some local farms will offer hay rides out to the field for everyone to find their perfect pumpkin. Have apple cider and donuts afterwards. For older kids, try a challenging corn maze at night with flashlights and glow rings. At home, decorate pumpkins by carving (but be careful to supervise – those carving knives are sharp), coloring, painting, gluing with felt designs, or other age-appropriate items. Display your creations in the window or on the porch for others to enjoy.
Share homemade baked goods
Around Thanksgiving time, many communities offer a complete turkey dinner for the homeless or those in need. Other towns provide a lunch for anyone who wishes to come and be part of a larger feast on Thanksgiving day. In some cases, cookies are taken to those who are in prison to brighten their day. To make such ventures a success, the sponsors often ask community members to bake pies or other baked goods. This is an excellent opportunity for children to learn to give to others who may be less fortunate. The entire family can be involved in baking and sharing with others in the spirit of being thankful.
Visit a special place to look at the changing colors
Chances are, there is a special place near you that has especially vibrant Fall colors. Certain parts of Colorado attract people from miles around for picture-taking of our aspen and other trees at the peak of the season. A drive through the mountains or hills can be quality family time. Stop and take early senior-pictures of your graduates or a family portrait for a Thanksgiving or Christmas card. Post your pics on FaceBook for friends and family to enjoy or make a Fall scrapbook to preserve the memories.
There are many ways to celebrate our gratefulness for all that God has given us. No matter how you participate in the wonder of the Fall season, be sure to stop and take time to breathe in the beauty of our great country.
Guest Blog: Places to Visit in Dubai for Senior Citizens
Introduction
If you are a senior citizen, then you must know that Dubai is the perfect place to visit. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and has everything you need to have an amazing time. Not only is it filled with beautiful buildings and attractions, but it also has great weather all year round and you can get discount tickets for Dubai attractions! You’ll never run out of things to do here in Dubai; there are plenty of museums, restaurants, hotels and malls to explore when visiting this amazing city!
Burj Al Arab
The Burj Al Arab is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. To get there, you can take a taxi or drive yourself.
The hotel has 730 rooms and suites, all of which are decorated with opulence and luxury in mind. The hotel is also known for its 5-star restaurants that serve traditional Arabic cuisine as well as international dishes such as steak tartare or duck confit salad. Other facilities include a spa offering facials and massages; an indoor swimming pool; an outdoor tennis court; a gymnasium with personal trainers on hand to assist guests who wish it; underground parking space for cars (or other vehicles); room service available 24 hours per day; free Wi-Fi throughout the entire building–and much more!
Dubai Festival City Mall
Dubai Festival City Mall is a great place to visit if you’re looking for something that has it all. It has a number of restaurants, cafes and shops, as well as cinema, bowling alley and roller skating rink. There’s also an indoor play area for children called Kidzania where kids can work in different professions such as doctor or chef.
The Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall is one of the most popular places to visit in Dubai. It’s located at the heart of Downtown Dubai, which makes it easy to get there by public transport.
The mall has more than 1,200 stores that offer everything from clothing and jewelry to cosmetics and electronics. It also has a variety of dining options including food courts, fine dining restaurants and cafés. There are also plenty of entertainment options including an ice rink where you can skate during winter months (December through February). If you’re feeling adventurous try out one of their roller coasters or go on one of their rides like “The Falcon”. The mall also hosts events throughout the year such as concerts by international artists so check out their website for more details!
Sharaf DG Mall
Sharaf DG Mall is located in Al Quoz and is a popular destination for senior citizens. The mall has a wide range of shops and restaurants, as well as an ice skating rink, laser tag arena and bowling alley.
The mall stays open 24 hours a day, seven days a week so there’s no need to worry about your elderly parents getting bored or hungry while they’re there! It also has plenty of space for them to sit down if they want to rest their legs after walking around all day long (or even just popping out quickly).
There’s an underground car park at the back of the building which makes it easy for you or other family members who may be with them when visiting this beautiful place 🙂
The Wild Wadi Water Park
The Wild Wadi Water Park is the perfect place for families and friends to spend a day. There are so many slides and rides that everyone in your group will find something they enjoy. The park also has food and drinks available, so you can keep your energy up while you’re having fun!
The park is open from 9am-6pm daily (except Fridays), though it does get busy at weekends so it’s worth booking tickets online if possible. Entry costs AED120 for adults and AED90 for children ages three-12 years old.
These are some of the places you can visit with your senior citizen relative.
There are many places to visit in Dubai, and you should take your senior citizen relative to them. You can also do other activities, like go shopping or eat at a restaurant. Some good places to stay are the Burj Al Arab Hotel, which has a very nice pool with dolphins; the Jumeriah Beach Hotel (it has a great view of the ocean), or even just staying at home!
Conclusion
We hope that this list has inspired you to visit some of the best places in Dubai for senior citizens. If you have any other suggestions, please let us know!
Daycare’s 5 Fun Online Activities for Seniors
As a person ages, it’s important for them to maintain a healthy routine of regular social engagement as well as physical and cognitive exercise.
There is a myriad of activities that a senior loved one can do to achieve these outcomes. From reading newspapers and playing card games to visiting friends and family and even going out for walks.
But what can seniors do during days when they can’t or don’t want to leave the house?
Below we’ve gathered a list of five (5) fun online activities for seniors. Read on to learn more!
Safe Online Usage
Before we move on to discuss the five fun online activities seniors can participate in, let’s first talk about how seniors can stay safe online.
Seniors are one of the most vulnerable age groups when it comes to online scams. It’s important to practice precautionary measures to keep loved ones safe while they explore the online world.
Families could get caregiving services that can provide their elderly loved ones with assistance during online activities. Caregivers are skilled and equipped to assist seniors in their day-to-day activities in an attempt to make things easier and safer for them.
A few other things family members can do to help keep their seniors safe online are:
- Warn your loved ones not to give out personal or sensitive information to anyone online
- Teach loved ones how to identify the SSL or “secure” symbol on websites and address bars
- Remind loved ones never to click on pop-up advertisements on websites and emails
You can write all these on a notepad or sticky note so your senior loved ones can easily look at out whenever they need to be reminded.
Fun Online Activities for Seniors
Senior Exercise Classes
Since seniors are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19 than any other age group, it’s important for them to lessen their exposure to others. This has led them to spend more time at home where there is a lesser chance for them to get enough exercise and stimulation.
As a response to the growing need for physical activity and exercise in seniors, plenty of fitness studios and gyms have started offering exercise classes online.
You can find a variety of workouts for seniors to try online. From Yoga and Pilates to Tai Chi and even dancing.
Ask your loved one about the workouts he/she prefers and help them find a reliable site online to start exercising!
Online Games
It may be hard to believe, but a lot of older adults actually enjoy playing online games. There are plenty of free options that can provide seniors with intellectual stimulation to prevent cognitive decline and improve memory!
Choose among a variety of household favorites, such as word search, mahjong, solitaire, crossword puzzles, checkers, and chess.
Some websites may even allow you to play together with friends and family members! The AARP has a collection of online group games and activities that seniors can enjoy when they sign up for a membership. You can check out their game roster here.
Learn and Improve Skincare Techniques
Older adults have very specific skincare requirements. This is due to the fact that senior skin is often thinner and drier, making it more sensitive to cracking and dermatitis. Both conditions can make senior skin more vulnerable to bacterial infections.
There is a myriad of effective natural skincare techniques that seniors can try out online. These techniques can help promote better skin health and protect loved ones from harmful and life-threatening infections.
Adult Daycare
The term adult daycare is often seen in a not-so-positive light among older adults. That’s because the term “daycare” is often linked to programs designed for toddlers or younger children. However, that isn’t the case with adult daycare.
Online adult day programs are designed to help older adults explore their interests in a variety of studies and industries. It also helps them develop new skills and improve cognitive and physical health.
For example, some adult daycares may provide online arts and crafts classes for older adults who are more creative with their hands. They may also offer virtual museum tours, exercise classes, music classes, and many more!
Blogging
Does your loved one have a skill or talent that they are passionate about? Perhaps they are experts at a certain topic, like marketing or advertising?
While blogging might be seen as something only the “youngsters” can do, older adults can also get a ton of benefits from the activity. Not only is it a way to make money on the side, but blogging can also act as a medium for older adults to share and communicate their thoughts, opinions, and teachings to an entire audience.
Seniors can write about practically anything, from how to plant vegetables in your garden the right way to self-help-type articles to help youngsters find a little more balance in the world.
There are plenty of blogs out there that accept senior guest writers to write for their blogs. You can find a couple of great places here on Wowitloveithaveit.com.
The Bottom Line
Age shouldn’t be a reason for a person to quit on their hopes and dreams. Encourage your loved ones to try new things every day. You never know, they might just be the next Julia Child or Stan Lee!