"N"ursing Home with "O"ld People

We got a two for one today. What you and I call a Nursing Home, my kids call the Old People Place, so we knocked out N and O in one visit. We've gone to this nursing home before, usually at Halloween with a group of friends. This time it was just us and although hesitant at first, the boys warmed up quickly and started to initiate conversations with the people there- Gavin especially. We brought with us artwork I had collected throughout the year from school that once hung on the refrigerator that I could not bring myself to throw away. This seemed like a good cause :) Mason, who hugged my leg and wouldn't look at anyone to begin with, was soon volunteering his hugs to each resident with a giant grin on his face. Gavin carefully explained each picture and asked everyone what their name was as he introduced himself. Cameron told me as we left that going there makes him feel good and that we should go more often. I have mixed emotions about going there. I love seeing the faces of these elderly people light up when they see and talk to the kids, but I feel so sorry for them. One man's room smelled so strongly like urine and there were flies all over his room. He told me he felt like he was in an asylum and that the workers didn't care about him. It broke my heart. I hope that we made at least today a bit brighter for him. Everyone kept telling us to come back again soon and I hope that we can make that work on a regular basis. It's good for the kids and good for the patients- win, win.

Isn't the look on this woman's face priceless?