Christmas (s)miles better for old folk thanks to SVDP
AS the evening Angelus bells rang in Castlebar one evening last week, I witnessed the true spirit of Christmas, writes Connaught Telegraph columnist Man on the Bridge.
Men and women, members of St. Vincent de Paul, gathered in the evening gloom outside the Sacred Heart Hospital and began transferring festive fare from car boots onto waiting trolleys. Eventually piled high were bottles of whiskey and Baileys, boxes of sumptuous chocolates, and lots of fruit, including oranges and grapes.
Then a popular musician known as Bumble Bee (Gerry Rowland) arrived squeezing his accordion so hard I feared for a moment the poor instrument might disintegrate, such was the force of his dancing fingers.
“Bring me back to the Black Hills, the Black Hills of Dakota,” the merry troubadour B.B. sang as he led the gift laden members of the V de P (Sacred Heart Visitation Conference) into the hospital foyer where a Christmas tree sparkled brightly.
Down corridors to wards such as St. Anthony’s and St. Joseph’s the happy throng meandered, announcing their presence with lively song accompanied by the tireless Bumble Bee and his accordion.
In wards along the way, many a tired and ageing body responded to the banter and the music.
Hot whiskeys and other refreshments were offered to all, of course, under the supervision of watchful nurses, mindful of individual dietary and medication issues.
One woman in a wheelchair positively lit up like a 100 watt bulb when Bumble Bee sang ‘Westmeath Bachelor’ and began dancing in front of her. Visitors and staff joined in the fun with a spot of impromptu dancing.
Afterwards Ann, a leading member of the St. Vincent de Paul Visitation Conference, updated me on the work of the group.
“We have 13 members,” she patiently explained. “Every Monday night we visit all of the units in the hospital for a chat with patients. Some are very responsive. Others less so. At this stage many of the patients have got to know us and I like to think they look forward to and enjoy our visits.”
Last week, one member of the visiting group from St. Vincent de Paul brought along her grandchildren.
What a wonderful way, I thought to myself afterwards, to instill in young minds a sense of the real meaning of life and Christmastime.