New Friends

Today I visited my buddy. She invited me to lunch and it was her husband's birthday (he's also my buddy) It was my last visit for a few weeks since we are travelling to Israel on Monday.
Every week we call their family in Israel and when we are there we will be visiting them. So today was "paparazzi" day. We took tons of pictures to give their family. We'll also take photos there to bring back. So very soon I will be part of an extended buddy family.

I will have another buddy to visit when I return so I will be going twice a week. I am looking very forward to making that connection too.

I love the opportunity to spend time with my buddies. They have so much to give us. I am fascinated to hear their stories. Some are sad and some are not. Stories are important to the storyteller and a privilege to the listener.

During one of my visits a friend of my buddy came to visit. We were speaking about different things and she remarked "Ach, I am finished, there is nothing for me to do here in life anymore". A bit later I asked her about her life in her country. She told me some stories and I told her about my grandmother's experiences in that same country.
I noticed that before she left to go back to her own room she sat up a little taller in her wheelchair and kissed me European style on both cheeks and gave me a loving hug.
I realized that when we listen to people tell the stories that make up their life to a listener that is really hearing their story, something almost magical happens to both.

The SOS program has been one of the biggest gifts I have received. Thank you SOS.

From A Volunteer

Hi Altie,
I wanted to get this email off to you before we leave.
After thinking it over, I have decided to also be a buddy to Gita.
So I will use Tuesdays and Fridays for my visits.
The Teishmans will have Tuesday as their day and
Gita will have Friday.
I am really happy about this arrangement. I love the
Teishmans and find Gita a really lovely and compelling
woman. She is Russian and I am second generation
Russian from both my parents so it makes a special heart connection.
Russian was even my first language but today I remember nothing.
We are having lunch and a visit together since it is my last visit until I return.
I'll begin my 2 visits a week when I return.
Altie, this program is so good for me. I think I may get
more out of it than my buddies. Last week I was feeling
a bit off thinking about my son being so far away and
some other things. I was grateful that it was my day to
visit my buddies so I didn't need to "wallow".
The visit was uplifting and I left smiling.
Gita came into the Teishmans room and we had
some serious "girl" time. It was lovely.
Bye for now. Be well.
Paula