How Volunteering in a Nursing Home Changed My Life

Mary died first. It was awful to lose either one of them, but Sammie was my favorite resident, and at least I still had her . . . but the devastating effects of losing Mary were more than Sammie could bear. I never knew two friends could love each other so much.

It all started when I was in middle school and had to do an assignment that led me to the nursing home for a mock job interview. The coordinator of the nursing home asked me to return as a volunteer to read to the residents. I agreed to come every Wednesday after school.

I was told Sammie was blind, but the first thing she said to me when I walked into her room was, "My, what beautiful red hair you have." I found out she could see bits of color when the sun shone on them. That is all she could see.

Sammie told me she used to be a proud woman who thought highly of herself and wore make up and such. She indicated she felt that is why she was blind now. She thought it was some sort of retribution; yet she was never bitter about not being able to see and it was hard to remember that she could not see. I would read the bible to Sammie per her request and she would correct me on the pronunciation of many words so I believe she knew her bible very well. Sammie told me she was once a slave, as a very young girl.

One could not know Sammie without getting to know Mary. They were like two peas in a pod. They did everything together, they were so inseparable I don't know why the nursing home did not put them in a room together. Mary loved to sit in on our bible reading sessions. Sammie and Mary were so close they could finish each other's sentences.

Over the years of growing closer and closer to Sammie and Mary, I looked forward to seeing them and telling them about the latest events in my life. I thought of them as very dear friends despite our vast age differences. Sammie and Mary were in their late 80's, early 90's when I had the honor and priviledge of having them in my life.