I remember when my great-grandma (Morgan's great-great-grandma) was still in her salmon-colored house up on the hill. That tree lined lane where the sun played peekaboo on your car as you made the quick turn from the main road. We spent many years making that turn to bring Grandma the mail. One of our weekly stops was the post office and then up to grandmas to take her the mail and whatever she may need from the store. (Still remember the time she had me pick up pickled pig's feet. You probably just had the same reaction I still have when I think of those things. I called my mom and said she wants what? Where would I even find that? {I'm starting to figure out where Morgan got the "really" with the attitude and head bob.} My mom just laughed knowing that it was an actual request and that I was likely standing in the aisle of Shop-N-Save turning 10 shades of green. [Grandma Torrence ya nasty!] Something else my mom knew was that time spent with my great-grandma was something no one could ever take from me.) Sorry for that tangent. Back to the topic, grandma's house... It was one of those, you know a grandma lives here houses. The one with the floral couch and old school T.V. on a stand cranked so loud, that you could hear Wheel of Fortune as you shut your car door in the driveway. (You all are picturing this house and you've never even been there.) The thought of her living anywhere else just didn't really ever cross our minds. Grandma stayed in that house until 99 years of age. At which time the best thing for her was to be somewhere that could offer her care more consistently. It was hard knowing that she was no longer just up the road at her house. It was hard on grandma too. Leaving your home and the memories you built there, the things you worked so hard for, the family you raised there, and the meals you prepared there. (Still can't find any chicken and dumplins as good as hers.) We knew grandma needed the care and that the best place for her was a care facility. While visiting grandma we saw so many fellow residents that didn't get visitors. We would see all of the grandmas and grandpas who wanted so much for someone to just come and say hey. Morgan and Trey became quite popular with grandma's roommate and the older gentlemen that the kids would call grandpa and they would just get the biggest smiles. Imagine a smile and "hi grandpa" in passing being the best part of your day.
Now think back to just a few years ago when we were all couped up in our homes for a few months. Any outside interaction was the highlight of your day. That's what it's like for many of the residence in care facilities, the same people day in and day out without outside visitors. In order to make some grandmas and grandpas days a little brighter and smiles a little bigger, The Morgan Anderson S3 Foundation and The American Heritage Girls are inviting you to send cards. We have reached out to a few facilities in our area that have expressed how much cards mean to their residents. Their contact information is listed below. If you aren't in the area, feel free to mail some in or to contact a local care facility near you about dropping off/mailing in cards. Grannys and Grampys all over could use some holiday cheer. (Hey even the Grinch went to the post office. Just leave the jury duty and junk mail alone. Remember Buddy the Elf worked in the mail room too.)
Baisch Nursing Center
Attn: Stephanie
3260 Baisch Dr.
Desoto, MO 63020
Autumn Ridge
Attn Carla Schlueter
300 Autumn Ridge Dr
Herculaneum, MO 63048
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