The Greatest Thing we Can Give is Time.

Many people of the older generation are not formally educated. However, they have more knowledge to share with the younger generations that could ever be taught out of a book. In Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin many life lessons are taught to Mortenson by the village elder,Haji Ali. Although the village is located in Pakistan, and I am here in the U.S. I also am learning life lesson from the elders at Sunrise View Retirement Villa.

Mortenson states, "Haji Ali taught me the most important lesson I have learned in my life. We Americans think you have to accomplish everthing quickly. Haji Ali taught me to share three cups of tea, to slow down and make building relationships as important as building projects. He taught me I had more to learn from the people I work with than I could ever hope to teach them." (Mortenson 150...)

I have also learned some life lessons from the spunky ladies I have had the pleasure of working with at the retirement villa. I was told, "remember, life is what you allow it to be. If you allow sadness and madness in you life, that is what you will live."

Although The village of Korphe in Pakistan is many miles away from the retirement villa of Everett Washington, the lessons taught by two very wise elders will be remembered for a lifetime.

Sunrise View retirement Villa

Sunrise View Retirement Villa is an independent, assisted, and convalescent facility located south of downtown Everett. The resident apartments are set or comfort, convenience, and safety. All apartments are wired for TV and telephone, bed linens and towels are changed by housekeeping, and emergency call buttons are placed in living and bathing areas. Meals are prepared three times daily along with snacks that are served in the dining area by wait staff. Activities are planned all day long and include shopping, planned outings, music performances, exercise classes, and much more. (www.careoptions.info/sunriseview.com)

The population is quite diverse. One hundred and eleven residents reside at Sunrise View. Sixty-eight live on the independent and assisted side, and the balance in the long term convalescent area. Ages vary from barely senior to one hundred and three years young. The females out number the males, which one female, resident stated, "The fishing is scarce, you must get to the pond early in the morning to catch one of these old fish."

On my first visit I was a little anxious, however once I arrived I no longer felt that way. As I walked in the lobby I was greeted by two ladies holding a bake sale. The smell of homemade cakes and cookies filled the air like sun on a summer day. I was quickly introduced to a group of residents who treated me like we had been friends for many years. I was invited to have a cup of tea and get to know them further. I met a retired math teacher of forty years. I watched his eyes lite up like stars when he spoke about teaching and numbers. I also met a gentleman who is the Romeo of the group. If you need a compliment he will be there to give you one! I was also warned he has a hard time keeping his hands to himself. I was scheduled for a two hour visit and ended up staying for roughly four and a half hours. When I was getting ready to leave, I realized I was already looking forward to my next visit.

There were many selections to choose our Service Learning sites. I selected Sunrise View due to the respect I have for my elders. The life experiences and knowledge the residents have to share could never be taught from a book. I have already been reminded the world is much more than what we make it to be. Sometimes the best thing we can share is ourselves.