GlamourGals Galentine’s

Grace W, a Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School Volunteer, speaks about her Galentine’s day volunteer experience.

Today was our much anticipated Galentine’s Makeover! We donned the tables with the pink party decorations (Thanks GlamourGals National ;) ), and prepared our Galentine's cards, bracelets, snacks, polish, and cosmetics. After a month off due to inclement weather, we were thrilled to see the ladies once again! As usual, we thoroughly enjoyed painting nails and devouring festive chocolate-cherry cupcakes. My favorite part of the makeover, however, was the Galentine's exchange. Seeing the sheer joy on the ladies' faces as they received their cards and bracelets was a precious and priceless moment. Their excitement over the simplest things in life never ceases to amaze and inspire me to cherish the same things. 

While cleaning up the tables as the party wound down, I overheard one of our ladies murmur to the other "This was the only Valentine I received this year". At first, my heart sank, and I was overcome with sadness for her. How lonely must it feel to spend the holiday alone where one should be surrounded by the ones they love? I felt discouraged and saddened as I thought of all the residents in other nursing homes, who likely spent Valentine's Day alone as well. Then, our advisor and I talked on our way out, and she expressed that she loved helping out with GlamourGals, as she knew the impact we were having important, especially on this particularly neglected demographic. 

As I pondered it more on my way home, I realized that although I could not impact each and every individual, I could inspire others too. One day, I will be the one in the nursing home. Unless I also want to spend Valentine’s alone, it is my job now, along with my peers, to promote awareness about senior loneliness. Through an example of kindness and service, I hope to inspire change, even if it is just one manicure at a time.