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Volunteer Profile

Thomas & Maria Elana Johnson

Thomas and Maria are semi-retired and now work, Thomas driving and Maria as an aid on a school bus. I am sure that keeps them busy but they still find time to volunteer together at the nursing home. While visiting there with them last week Thomas and Maria introduced me to a resident that seemed to know his way around. He knows and visits practically everyone in the building. He also wears a big cross and knows his way around the Bible too. He introduced me to an elegant little woman named Marie. Marie now lives in a small room with a roommate. She is very happy there but my heart just hurt for her after she told me her story.

Marie is a very dedicated Catholic, still able to attend church on Sundays because her church has volunteers who pick her up. She lives in a room surrounded with her spiritual keepsakes, from pictures on the wall, to her prayer books and holy cards. She was a little disappointed when she found out that I did not go to the Catholic Church anymore but she seemed to forgive me as we got to know each other. It turned out that we graduated from the same high school, Notre Dame Academy, out north. We reminisced about the Czech nuns, some of which she went to school with and taught me. Marie had even joined the convent for a while but had to leave because of health issues.

Later on, in our conversation, Marie mentioned St. Peter is where I went to school in the fourth grade and Marie went to church. One of my fondest memories is of the May Crowning. In case you are not familiar with this, it is when the congregation marched around the church and sang songs in homage to Mary, the mother of Jesus. So, you guessed it Marie and I began to sing the old May Crowning songs.

It showed me that we can always find a common ground to share with the elderly. We had a great time sharing those things even though I have moved on from there I have so many good memories. In addition, Marie had an opportunity to look back to the good old days when times were a lot easier and less lonely.

Marie had been married but had no children. She has two brothers that live in different states. She hears from them from time to time and she showed Maria and I their pictures. She also had a brother that was killed in the war.

One of my favorite parts about visiting and getting to share the memories of the elder folks is when they give me a keepsake. Not that I need a gift, but they are telling me that my visit meant something special to them and they want to thank me. Marie gave me a holy card of Mother Teresa. She did not know how much I admire the life of Mother Teresa, so this little token of Marie’s was very meaningful to me.

It was a happy time with a gracious woman. I am sure that Maria and Thomas will continue to drop in on Marie as well as all the other friends they have made there at the nursing home.

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