Haley Jenkins' grandparents passed away when she was a little girl. While she is a college student now, the void something as special a grandparent leaves is always felt. Grandparents connect us to our family history and the world's history. They show us just how much has and hasn't changed. They do so with love. Not to mention that they're always a little bit nicer about giving us sweets than our parents are. Haley is studying a Drake University, and after studying abroad in Ireland, she didn't have a place to stay when she came home.
So she submitted her résumé to Deerfield, a retirement home. For two musical performances a week, Haley was given free housing. Both the older residents and Haley are getting along smashingly well.
"This morning, Haley was having breakfast with the residents, and it is exciting to hear the conversation that is taking place," said the executive director of Deerfield, James Robinson. "Music really brings out both aspects of social health and emotional health, and that is going to be part of our efforts here."
Haley performs music like jazz, opera, and musical theater for the residents who love it. They might be from different generations, but for the Deerfield community and Haley, there is a lot to be learned and loved from one another.
Please SHARE if you wish there were more interactions between old and new generations!
