Whether you think Valentine's Day is a frivolity of commercialism or you've enjoyed the 14th of February for decades, you can celebrate the season of love easily from your assisted living community. And that's true regardless of your romantic status. Check out the tips below for making Valentine's Day uplifting for yourself and others throughout The Gardens at Barry Road assisted living community this year.
The original inspiration for the modern holiday is mired in mystery, and historians can't seem to agree on which Saint Valentine the celebration is named after. Was he a priest that refused to give up on young love even though a Roman emperor outlawed marriage because he needed more single male soldiers? Or, was he killed while assisting Christians to escape persecution and prison for their faith?
Regardless of which Valentine's origin story you decide rings most true, one common fact remains. The holiday is named for a historic figure who showed sacrificial love for others.
Seniors don't have to be in a romantic relationship to celebrate this type of love. Seniors of faith especially might celebrate the sacrificial love of Christ daily, and Valentine's Day is a great time to remember to be kind and loving toward others.
One great way to making the day meaningful in a non-romantic way is to forgive someone. Think about who you might be holding a grudge against and whether you can release that and stop carrying it with you. And if you've made your ire known to that person in the past, consider reaching out to let them know you want to start over or at least move past the anger.
Perhaps you don't have anyone to forgive, but you feel you've wronged someone in the past. A day that is about loving and caring for others is a great time to move to make things right. You can't always heal a hurt you've caused with words or a gesture, but it can be a good starting place. Take a few moments to call someone and offer an apology on Valentine's Day.
Ephesians 4:32 says, "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
While the Scripture means for us to show this kind of love to each other daily, Valentine's Day reminds us of this type of lifestyle. It can be a great day to practice these principles and set the stage for living them out each day. Small acts of kindness don't have to take great energy or resources.
Start out by smiling at those you pass in the hall, saying hi to a neighbor you don't normally converse with or inviting someone to spend time with you in one of the assisted living community common areas. By reaching out to others, especially those you think might be lonely on this Valentine's Day, you can show great kindness for fellow residents in small ways.
