 Did anyone ever make your day? Well, there is no greater feeling than making someone else's day! My friend Chellar moved in about 3 months ago and he is one of the kindest, gentlest people I have ever met. I knew the minute I met him that I would make this day happen. There is a gesture that the Indians use that they touch their forehead and then bring their hand down (palm up) into the palm of the other hand. It means thank you. I would like to publicly extend a hearty thank you to Chellar, his children, and Betsy, one of our caseworkers, also of the Indian heritage, for helping me create a day in honor of the Land of India. I definitely could not have done it without the three of them.
The two most important things on a day celebrating a country is the costume and the music. Betsy generously loaned me two costumes for the day and his son not only made me CDs of his father's favorite Indian music, but also gave me the spices I needed for the recipe! Between the sound of the music, the smell of the rice cooking, the video visit to the Gandes River, and me in my costume dancing, it was an over the top, incredible day.
I also interviewed Chellar throughout the day about the customs, language and culture of India. Since I have been taking belly dancing for quite some time, I really got into the dancing and the residents loved it! It was absolutely awesome to take this humble, polite man who appreciates everything and turn him into the big man on campus! I don't think he ever got so many rounds of applaud in his life!
I made Indian rice that was to die for. Any Indian recipe will do depending on what spices you have available. I made it with lemon, turmeric powder, some curry leaves, a few chilies, salt and peanuts. I have one of those electric skillets and had the kitchen make the rice and I mixed everything together with Chellar's daughter helping me every step of the way. The smell of Indian spices permeated the room. It was like being transported to India! The Indian people are known to be people who are warm, polite, friendly and generous and Chellar and his family are that and even more.
I urge any activity directors reading this to do a double take with your special people. What do your residents have to share? What country is the receptionist from? You can create a day like this about any country by keeping your eye out for people who come from different places. Most are thrilled to be recognized and appreciated and therefore happy to share, especially when it's for the seniors! Believe that most everyone has something to share, they just may need YOU to pull it out of them! Happy Land of India Day!
Note: I'd call it Indian Day but I don't want to get it confused with American Indian Day, another awesome "Ginger Holiday" as my administrator calls it.
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GINGER'S CREATIVE COSTUMES AND ACTIVITIES