I volunteered last night with 10 other people from my work at The Grand Rapids Home for Vets. We administered Bingo night for the vets. My job was to walk around and talk to people and verify their bingo's if they called them and then pay the winners. It was fun and I like carrying around a big wad of cash ;)
I had never been to a Veteran's Home before and I was told this particular one houses around 700 people. It was a bit overwhelming to see all these people who have served our country; with mental and physical conditions varying greatly among the group. I have always gotten teary-eyed when I hear the National Anthem or see soldiers...but have become more so since I've gotten to the age that people I know are serving abroad and I have seen the sacrifices they and their families make daily. One older man in a wheelchair and many visible physical ailments asked me what my husband's job was and when I told him he was a security officer, he grabbed my hand and said "I'll pray for him." I was taken aback, as I had just been thinking to myself "I'll pray for this man". When we were leaving after bingo was over, at least half of the veterans in attendance thanked us all individually for coming...and I felt ashamed. THEY are the ones who deserve gratitude, not me in the slightest. This is the giant flag in front of the GR Veteran's Home - pretty darn impressive.
So, here's to knocking one thing of my list officially...even though I'll keep finding places to volunteer throughout the next year. My life is amazing and I'm so blessed; I want to share my blessings with others.
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