It Really Comes Down to a Bag of Chips

I was reminded the other day, about the simplicity of it all.   Ok, that is a rather giant like statement.   Let me try again.  I was reminded about moments, about simple moments—and perhaps if we can fine tune in to those a little more often, the general life noise can just take a back seat.   Oh, and yes, it involves a bag of chips.   

Let me start at the top. 

Bouquets for Baba is a volunteer run flower giving program that has been in action for two years.  It is filled with enormous, caring heart, delivering bouquets to seniors who are experiencing loneliness and sadness.  The flowers and handwritten messages that “you are important, you are loved, and we care” are given by strangers, which makes this giving extra, extra, extra special.    

Over the past two years, our team of volunteers have not been able to deliver the flowers directly to the seniors due to COVID.  We have been visualizing and feeling this bouquet giving making a difference to seniors, through the beautiful stories of the nurses and staff teams.  

I had the honour to have my first bouquet giving experience in person with two other Bouquets for Baba volunteers, so we could firsthand tell a senior, that we care and they are not forgotten.

When we entered the room with our colourful, cheerful bouquet in hand, we were greeted by two sweet ladies who we learned were new roommates together.   They were sitting in their wheelchairs hovering over a puzzle board together.   With big smiles, they explained they both had a love of puzzles, and a love for chips.   Which makes them the perfect roomies!

A love of chips you say?   Yes.  A love of chips.   They told stories of growing up on farms and how at this stage of their lives, they did not know anyone in the long-term care home they now call home and are grateful to have found a puzzle loving, chip munching pal.

As I listened to their life stories and their enthusiasm for their newly found friendship, I was reminded about the preciousness and simplicity what a puzzle, one friend and a shared bag of chips together can truly mean.    It felt calm, and purposeful.  It felt special.

I reflected on the simplicity of these moments and wondered for myself why I have so few and how to get me some more.    I am motivated to grab me some more simple moments and leave the life noise behind.   To grab more calm and grab more special, just like those two sweet roommates.

And really, I sure do love a good bag of chips.

Photo: Bouquets for Baba flower giving program