No matter where you look, there are always things that can make you happy, even on the difficult days. And on good days, they make the sun shine even brighter, the breezes feel even more refreshing, and make you realize how very nice people really are.
Take today for instance. A couple of weeks ago, I had written to a dozen friends or so to suggest they purchase one or two dollar store gifts and drop them off at the Care One Care Center in Middletown.
Seems the residents play a lot of Bingo and other games during their afternoon activities, and the recreation department generally gives them money for their wins. But when a couple of my friends dropped off inexpensive scarves for lady residents, easy-to-do embroidery kits, crossword puzzle books and even packages of old-fashioned candies that caused quite a lot fun and conversation among residents, the joy was overwhelming at the care center among both staff and residents.
Then this week, two more friends sent very generous monetary donations with a request the activities manager stock up on whatever is needed. Several of these thoughtful gifts included notes saying they were happy to do something, recalling the excellent care staff gave to someone they knew, or someone in their family either recently or many years ago.
So, all of this caused happiness all around! The residents just love that people remember them and the staff is effluent in letting them know how many people who might not visit still think of them and want to be part of their lives.
Then there’s another friend, John DeRobbio, who is spreading a lot of joy among all those leagues of old-timers who spent summers at Conners Hotel.
John had scooped up, after the historic hotel and pool were demolished to make room for Sea Streak and its parking lot, a whole bunch of ceramic tiles that had been around the pool.
Over time, John has fashioned these tiles into miniature crosses and made gifts to members of the Black family that made Conners such a wholesome, happy, wonderful place to spend summer days and nights.
Now all the recipients of those beautiful little crosses are feeling the smoothness of the tiles and remembering the saltwater splashing, sandy feet, hot-dog smearing and every other kind of liquid or material that cross over those tiles decades ago… A thoughtful gift from a thoughtful man who has more than a few Conners memories of his own.
And the wonderful Bernie Sweeney Way street name honoring a most generous man and his family in Atlantic Highlands made people happy for so many reasons.
But only few know about or probably even think about is how dedicated the members of the Atlantic Highlands council are. Almost all of them, the ones who were not there were out of town on business, were there for the ceremony and to greet Kathleen and Jay. All were in full support of the mayor’s idea to name the road after Bernie and all looked very happy about it at the ceremony.
But the Mayor herself deserves a few kudos, not only for the idea, but for the fact she was there for the dinner time celebration. Just an hour before, she had just come from the medical center where her mom had some minor eye surgery (as if any surgery to the eye or on an elderly person can be considered minor) and she was bringing her back home to adjust and recoup.
While this Mayor has also shown that Mom comes first, somehow she always still manages to ft in everything she has to do as the chief elected official of the town.
Inspiring to see.
