A story “I have lived so long to make” TITLE ‘A story I have lived so long to make’ is an extract from a writing featured within this book submitted by Lily Keenan, a resident of Ballard Lodge, Co Laois. PRODUCTION This collection of writings has been compiled by Nursing Homes Ireland. The collection has been compiled and edited by Michael McGlynn, NHI Communications & Research Executive, and Andrew Rennie, NHI Communications & Research Assistant © Nursing Homes Ireland, 2018 Nursing Homes Ireland 2051 Castle Drive, Citywest, Dublin 24, D24 K299 [email protected] www.nhi.ie Welcome to ‘A story I have lived so long to make’, a remarkable collection of writings from nursing home residents. Nursing homes are home to some of the most remarkable and wonderful people in Irish society. Our Members consider it a great privilege to share so much of their lives with these people and to provide them with exceptional care. Residents within our nursing homes are truly inspirational. They share with us great knowledge, wisdom, advice, humility and life experience. Great characters and people live in our nursing homes. Residents have great humour, are great storytellers, provide exceptional friendship. The excellent care provided by outstanding staff in nursing homes is committed to enhancing the lives of residents. They continue to enjoy their favourite past-times and embrace new interests. They sing and dance, create arts and crafts works, enjoy games, watch movies, participate in a range of physical activities, gardening, reminisce, engage in writing and art workshops. In Spring 2018, Nursing Homes Ireland undertook this special initiative to provide some insight into the talents possessed by nursing home residents. We asked Members to engage with residents to assist us in compiling a special collection of writings. ‘Positivity’ was the general theme presented. The theme provided the writers with an opportunity to offer positive reflections on day-to-day life, times past, times present. We are struck by the day- to-day positivity of residents within our nursing homes. ‘A story I have lived so long to make’ brings together a unique collection of writings. Our oldest contributor is 104 years of age. The writings encompass positive reflections of life past and present. Special childhood memories are recalled. We read of life in Ireland and abroad. The importance of education, active living, faith and appreciating what you have are presented. Honesty, humour, happiness, sadness, faith, friendship and love are common strands within the writings. It is apt that the title of this collection comes from a writing presented by one of our contributors, Lily Keenan, a resident of Ballard Lodge in Co Laois. Over 80 residents contributed to ‘A story I have lived so long to make’. We thank you all for making this such a special collection of writings. We also thank the staff who supported the residents in bringing the writings together. Enjoy this very unique and special collection of writings. Michael McGlynn Michael McGlynn Nursing Homes Ireland Communications & Research Executive ‘Tai chi & reminiscing of times past’ Mary Glynn and Aggie Walsh are new entrants to the centenarian club, having both turned 100 in 2018. They have both become great friends since moving to Blake Manor Nursing Home, Co. Galway. Norah Ginty, Activities Coordinator in the Kilcolgan-based nursing home, spoke with Mary and Aggie about what they see as the positives of the life they lead and what advice they would impart to younger generations. Mary and Aggie embrace every opportunity presented to talk about the Ireland of the past and have developed a wonderful friendship within Blake Manor. "I never really realised I was growing older; it was something that just happened,” Mary explains. “I never celebrated birthdays.” These inspiring ladies have experienced two world wars, the great depression and reared their families from the 1940s upwards. During the forties and the decades after, both ladies lived simple, hard-working lives, raising their children. They bring a positive outlook to life and are very appreciative of a home and new way of living based upon the principles of attentive care, support and friendship. "The great thing here is you are you are aided at any time of the day and night - getting dressed and ready for the day and winding down at night,” Mary states. “Assistance is as Aggie adds: "I know if I was at much or as little as a person needs.” home I'd be wondering if I was safe; here I know I am. The security "We have built great friendships here," of nursing homes is great." she continues. "I never knew Aggie before we met a year-and-a-half ago. The discussion returns to the Our children knew of each other alright. comfort of nursing home living. I’ve found a great friend in her and "We do the rosary here during the other residents within Blake Manor.” week with the activities coordinator Aggie adds: "For as long as we shall and watch movies of days gone by,” have each other it's great. When we Mary tells. “We watched a film about got to know each other and realised Galway during the Easter Rising last we had the same outlook on life week and even knew some of the it was great and reassuring." peoples’ names. Classes in the nursing home include Tai Chi, Mindfulness, "We look out for each and light exercises. There are great other." Mary affirms. options for us to choose from when The talk turns to the generations we feel like doing so and these following them. open up new opportunities for us.” "Advice for younger people?” "I always think of poems and readings Mary considers. “Always use we learnt in school and get great your manners. Try to be obliging enjoyment from reading them out,” to others and peaceful.” Aggie states. “We sometimes do that Aggie adds: "The saying 'forgive after the rosary. ‘Old Woman of the and forget' is great; there's no use Roads’ (by Padraic Colum) is one holding onto issues. If someone I can think of, although it's hard to doesn't like you, let it be." remember all the words all of the time. ‘The Farmer’s Boy’ is another. They welcome the social inclusivity They remind me of days gone by.” of life in a nursing home and the constant opportunity it presents to “She’s great to remember everything,” see and chat with people of similar says Mary, “I couldn’t ever do that.” interests. Security also provides them “I am not at all great,” replies Aggie. The with comfort and reassurance. two ladies smile and continue to share "Things have changed from when memories and the great company we were younger,” Mary comments. and companionship of each other. “Everyone left their doors unlocked back then and looked out for each other, day and night. It's not the same now. You regularly hear of burglars in peoples’ homes; we know we are safe and looked after here." Mary Glynn (top) & Aggie Walsh (botttom) ‘Keep busy in the community’ Áine Uí Mhathuna is an incredible 102 years-of-age and a resident of Marymount Care Centre in Westmanstown, Co. Dublin. She advises people to be positively involved within their local community and to recognise there are always people in a worse position than you. She continues to live positively, enjoying outings to places such as the National Concert Hall and Croke Park. I never thought I’d reach in community events fills me with pride. the age of 102; I never really Hopefully we’ll win more this year! thought about age at all. Living in Marymount also means I can I grew up in Portobello Harbour enjoy lots of visits to my family in their with my mother, my younger sister homes and having four generations and my aunt, as my father died to visit gives me plenty of options. when I was young. I suppose there They are important to me; family is “was always very positive female important, they make me truly happy. “ role models for me during my life. My philosophy of life, if you can Fortunately, I have had a good life, call it that, is to enjoy everything a happy one and was very lucky in moderation. Keep busy in the to have had a wonderful husband, community and with your family and Lúghaidh; he really was the best. always remember that there is always It was because I wanted to maintain my someone much worse off than you. independence that I chose to move to For me, the Irish Countrywomen’s Marymount Care Centre. I can continue Association was a great way of being with my hobbies which now include positively involved in the community knitting, baking, bingo, quiz evenings, and to meet various people. I was also crafts and exercise groups. I can also a voluntary hospital visitor with the ICA. get my hair done and go on outings A group of us would visit patients to to places like Croke Park and The speak with them and provide them National Concert Hall with the other with magazines. Visiting those patients residents, staff and family members. helped me appreciate how lucky I was. Being able to tell my family about winning prizes with our knitting group ” ‘The joy of sharing memories & a story I’ve lived so long to make’ Lily Keenan’s fondest memories from her 86 years of life include ballroom dances, watching children grow into adults and meeting the love of her life. Lily smiles every night as she looks back on and remembers times past.