The Elder Hour

At age 10 mom was taking me and a few of my friends to the care home in Leader, SK where we would read to the elder residents.

In the summertime when school was done for the year we would go visit an elder at their home in our community of Fox Valley, SK. Then in high school I started visiting elders on my own at noon hour. I’d eat my lunch on the walks there.

Helen was hard to understand because she didn’t have teeth, but she always had mints so we would eat those and smile at each other, Mary always gifted me hand towels and had the sweetest smile and Francis taught me her favorite prayer that she used when she lost something and wanted to find it. I still use it to this day. It was meaningful time spent and it filled my heart.

It’s time to share another goal.

Sparklighter isn’t just about writing words and sharing thoughts. It’s connected to tangible actions related to people and community too.

At its core, Sparklighter is Mother Teresa inspired and infused. And it has many branches within it’s tree. One of them is a passion project called The Elder Hour. It’s not a medical service or home care program, it’s a companion program. It provides heart-centered companionship to elders who may be feeling lonely or are in need of meaningful human connection.

I love the idea of visits and conversation over tea, reading out loud, listening to music together and storytelling. Doing activities together like puzzles, playing cards, sitting in nature, going for a slow walk, and of course helping them with light chores, errands and appointments too. From the bit of research I’ve done so far, this is very needed.

This is part of my soul’s calling.

I’m not sure what it will end up looking like yet, or when, but the seed has been planted and I look forward to providing updates on this one :)