11 August, 2007

與老菩薩相見歡-Crown Point老人院訪視

八月十一日,風和日麗的週六上午,慈青同學和師姑師伯又再度來到Crown Point老人院,和老菩薩互動。大家穿上志工背心簽到之後,便排隊進入交誼廳。

慈少小菩薩們表演才藝的「卡司」越來越堅強了,除了有鋼琴、小提琴和長笛演奏之外,小菩薩也為我們帶來了跆拳道功夫,認真又虎虎生風的演出,博得了大家一致的掌聲,老菩薩的眼中更露出了驚喜的眼神,是欣喜於這群孩子們的熱誠和聰慧吧。

節目結束之後,有三十分鐘的時間讓慈青與志工與老菩薩們互動。這次慈青們的陣容多樣化而整齊,雖然都是來自OSU的學生,但是有印度籍、以及來自湖南省的同學,也有甫自台灣前來深造的新生。他們第一次訪視老人院的經驗令人印象深刻:幾位老菩薩雖然無法言語,但是在握著同學的手時,歡喜感慨的情緒同時湧上心頭,在淚水中與同學相視一笑。
以下是來自印度同學的心得分享:

Jaya Dey(印度籍同學):

First of all thanks a lot for taking me to the nursing home yesterday. Here is what I have to say:
My experience yesterday was overwhelming! I had mostly seen young, happy and lively faces so far in America. But yesterday I saw the other side of the coin. I saw a few helpless, lonely and depressed souls in their last phase of life; sitting and waiting for their fatal end. And then I saw their faces glowing with smile and gratitude after talking and sharing feelings with us. I think your charity organisation is really doing a very noble job and they should keep up the good work! Last but not the least - "Age does not protect you from love. But love, to some extent, protects you from age."
依依不捨的情境中,我們離開了老人院,並與老菩薩相約「下個月再見!」