Wednesday, December 23

Caroling for Kerstin

















Have you ever seen a more surprised look on a woman's face?! This is my next-door neighbor Kerstin (with her husband), who had the misfortune to fall recently and break her femur. That came on the heels of a hip and shoulder replacement, so suffice it to say she has been through the mill lately.

She is in a rehabilitation hospital and on learning that she wouldn't be home for Christmas, we decided to go and sing carols to her. Planning it with the help of her husband, about nine of us went on Monday. Her room is directly across the hall from a "rec" room, and we assembled there, along with the harpist from our NC Symphony, Anita Burroughs-Price. Anita is a friend of my neighbors, and when she heard what was being planned, she asked to come along. It was incredibly generous of her, and we are all grateful, since her playing made us all sound decidedly better! As we began to sing, Bob wheeled Kerstin across the hall to hear "the carolers", without telling her who it was. The photo above shows how flabbergasted she was to see us!





Here is our group, minus your truly. Santa hats and jingle bells were requested, but not all of us wore them. It didn't matter.













This is Anita. Her small "travel harp" made it rather easy for her to come. She knew all twelve songs by heart and even embellished them quite a bit.
It was most evident that our neighbors enjoyed the caroling and we garnered a few other participants from the hall before we were finished. I had a phone call from Kerstin about 7 pm, thanking me for my part in it. She and her husband were genuinely touched and I explained that we got much more out of it than she did. It showed the true meaning of Christmas; the making time to do something good for someone else, no matter how busy we are. I hope you get a similar opportunity before the season is over. It will make your day! Now, make it a very Merry Christmas.

22 comments:

Nancy said...

Dear Judy,

I just want you to know that you bring me a lot of pleasure through the year with your interesting ,funny,inspiring and nostalgic posts.

I always look forward to the next one and you never let me down. From cartoons to beautiful floral arrangements to personal events like your caroling story today, you never fail to hit the mark.

I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year....

Unknown said...

Wonderful story - the photo of your friend Kerstin says it all. What a beautiful and generous thing to do.

May peace and love continue to guide who you are, Judy.

Love,
Gina

robin andrea said...

Truly the spirit of Christmas. That joy and surprise on your neighbor's face says it all.

Pat said...

That is another lovely story to add to what I have been collecting today. I'm sure you gave and received priceless pleasure and it is uplifting to the spirit.
Happy Christmas dear Judy to you and yours.

Olga said...

What a wonderful event for all involved. Thanks for sharing the true spirit of Christmas with us.

Beverly said...

What a wonderful thing to do for your neighbor. I know she loved having you all come and sing.

Back in 1991 when I was in the hospital for a long time, one of the quartets from our chorus came up to Tampa to sing for me. We closed the door to the room so we wouldn't disturb anyone, but the nurses came and opened them for all to hear. It brought such joy.

Merry Christmas, Judy.

Tabor said...

What a perfect gesture over the holidays. It looks as though everyone was rewarded by this.

Evil Twin's Wife said...

What a beautiful gesture! Merry Christmas, Kenju! I believe you've been a very good girl this year. :-)

dennisthemennis.co.uk said...

WOW to go through so much and look so great is amazing.

rosemary said...

What a wonderful thing to do. You and your neighbors, the harpist, all of you are truly what the spirit of Christmas is supposed to be.

Kay Dennison said...

What a lovely thing to do!!!! What great neighbors you are!

oklhdan said...

What a lovely thing to do and I'm sure you all received as much from the experience as your neighbor. That really is what the season is all about thank you for sharing it with all of us.

invisible said...

Kenju: I just did a post on old people, and mentioned that some were cool like Betty White. Your neighbor looks cool, like Betty.
Hope she's up and around soon.

Dianne said...

what a wonderful thing to do!
the look on her face is pure joy
I hope she's home soon

you're a good person
Merry Christmas

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Lovely Judy...Such a sweet and thoughtful thing to do...! This had to truly warm her heart! The Christmas Spirit is alive and well in your Neighborhood!

Betty is much luckier than your friend...SHE IS HOME! I sppke with her about an hour ago and hopefully I will see her on Friday...! She is sooooo very happy to be home!

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, MY DEAR, TO YOU AND YOURS!

Paul Nichols said...

Very Nice! And a Merry, Merry Christmas to you and yours. WE hope you receive more blessings than you can count.

Sky said...

these are the real "christmas" moments which will live on in everyone's memories forever. :)

Travelin'Oma said...

Kerstin is lucky to have such loving friends. I love hearing stories like this. It reminds me that the world is filled with generous, kind people who care about others. Thanks for contributing to my Christmas spirit!

Gilly said...

What as lovely thing to do! And the expression on Kerstin's face is wonderful!

AND a lovely harpist too!

I hope you have a really good Christmas - you have earned it!

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Judy, thank you for sharing this.
What a blessing to give and then it bounces back on youl
Special Blessings sent to you and yours during this special season.

awareness said...

What a wonderful surprise! Your efforts with your friends truly does encapsulate the meaning of Christmas. Beautiful!!

Merry Christmas Judy. I love that we're connected here in blogland and on fb. :)

Granny Annie said...

Someone really captured the look of joy and surprise in Kerstin's face. What a loving thing for you and her other friends to do.