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Tuesday, December 20, 2005"I was born in 1914..."
 "I'm 92, I think."Actually, he's 91. We met him yesterday at the local nursing home where my children and I participated in a party for the residents, hosted by local homeschoolers. We "adopted" Mr. Nurme, you see, which means we signed up to bring him a Christmas gift. The residents on the adoption list were included because they were the least likely to have visitors. Some have no family at all. All we knew about Mr. Nurme was that he used to play golf with some "big names," and that he wore a size "Large." My dad is a golfer, so I called him. "Dad, what would be a good gift for an old, ex-golfer?" Not only did my dad give me the excellent suggestion of a golf cap, but he went out and bought one himself. A nice red one. I could spend an entire afternoon talking about my dad's golden heart, but I'll spare you. Then, Jonathan painted a picture for Mr. Nurme -- hot air balloons over the ninth green. There are some things in life that I can take credit for, but not my son's artistic talent. That comes directly from the hand of the Lord. I can draw the odd Christmas tree or a doodled face, but Jonathan can actually paint. We framed the painting and wrapped both gifts in bright paper. When I handed the present to Mr. Nurme, his sweet face lit up as though he had just shed twenty-five years. "Who is this from?" he asked. "It's from all of us." I had to speak loudly because Mr. Nurme was hard of hearing. "What did I do to deserve this?" He asked the question a second time before I finally answered him. "We all deserve gifts sometimes." His fingers were gnarled and twisted with arthritis; I helped him to tear off the wrapping paper. "Is this a sweater?" "It's a golf cap." I helped him take it out of the box. "Oh! This is good!" He energetically tugged the cap onto his head, and assured me that it fit perfectly. Then he unwrapped the painting. "My son painted this," I explained. Mr. Nurme looked at Jonathan. "You painted this!" He gazed at the piece of artwork for a few seconds, then tapped his finger onto the sand trap and said, "This is the green I played!" Ninety-one, and his sense of humor is completely intact. "My parents came from Finland," Mr Nurme told us. "I was born in Detroit, Michigan, over the top of a bake shop. I was born in 1914." "That's two years after the Titanic went down!" I said. Mr. Nurme's eyes twinkled. "Don't blame me for that." Then he laughed -- a warm, high-pitched, giggly sort of laugh that warmed us to our toes. He is a small man, made smaller by the height of his wheelchair and the rounding of his shoulders. The whole time we were with him, he seemed simply amazed that we were there -- amazed that we had brought him gifts. Who's to know what transpired in his life to bring him to this point of aloneness. Who's to know how many days he has left. Ah, Mr. Nurme. You have snapped my life into perspective with your gentle spirit and radiant smile. I wish I could sit for an hour and listen to your tales of bake shops and Finland and Bob Hope golf tournaments. I wish I could hear your laughter on a regular basis. I think I've just touched the heart of Christmas, and it's still beating within me. Funny, isn't it, how we seek to touch someone's life, and then we ourselves end up forever changed. You won't hear me complaining about having turned forty any more, either. Why, I feel like an absolute puppy. Thank you, Mr. Nurme!
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About Me
I am: Mother to five stunningly individualistic children... Writer of young adult fantasy... Passionate advocate for Women At Home... Madly in love with my husband... In need of Organic Gourmet Chocolate on a regular basis. I've got a Paypal account if you'd like to contribute to the cause....
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25of my readers are feeling chatty:
I'm glad it was such a wonderful experience for not only Mr. Nurme...but for you as well dear Jill! A heart warming story to be sure!
This is just wonderful Jill. It sure lifts the spirit up. That brings back the true meaning of Christmas. Sharing time with a stranger and leaving with a heart filled of warmth.
Your son has a lot of talent. Isn't it great that our children have unique talents - totally different from ours :).
That's a great story and you brought some joy to the old guy's life, good for you.
When the wife I visited the folks back home in England we visited my grandmother who is 100 and still has her marbles.
Until recently she lived on her own in her own apartment.
Your story made me think of her again, I hope I get to see her again next year.
Mik
It is humbling and heartwarming at the same time to visit with someone in such a situation. In a few of the places I have lived, there were care centers and retirement homes within our church boundaries. On a regular basis members were asked to volunteer to present a church service for the elderly residents, and perform music for them. I was priviledged to do this a number of times.
There was one woman in particular whose predicament practically ripped my heart out. She was completely confined to a bed with a twisted, crippled frame. She had been there in that state for a very long time.
I had the opportunity to see her there on different occasions and she remembered me. I felt so bad for her, because her quality of life was so miserable. When she saw me there she would get a gleam in her eye, smile, and say "I remember you!"
It was the kind of thing that made you smile while tears welled in your eyes.
It was very humbling and went a long way toward making you feel very selfish and petty in regards to what you considered to be problems. They all seemed so small after one of those visits.
I havent thought of her in many years, thank you for this reminder.
Wonderful post and your son cic a great job on the painting. I bet it looks good framed! Course I'm a golf nut too!
What an awesome day!
I forgot to mention that the painting is fantastic. It has a wonderful impressionistic feel to it. Excellent work Jonathan!
It hink it's wonderful how you have shown to your kids how the gift of giving can make you truly feel sometimes.
I too forgot to mention how beautiful the painting was. He is really talented.
You've just reduced me to tears! What a beautiful post! I wish I, too, could have met Mr. Nurme. What a wonderful thing for you to do. The golf cap was such a great suggestion from your father and your son has so much talent! What a gorgeous picture! If you don't mind, I am going to link to this story as I think many need to read it as the wonderful Christmas story it really is.
Thank you all for your sensitive comments!
Mik -- That's amazing, and I hope you do get to see her again.
Dave -- You must be a writer or something. :)
Joe -- I didn't even know that greens weren't flat until I started playing a computer golf game. I couldn't figure out why my ball kept rolling away from the hole...
Angie -- I'd be honored if you'd link to my story. Thanks for stopping by! :)
Oops - I had linked to your story yesteday, but forgot to ask before I did. Hope it's okay...
Iris, you can link to my stories whenever you want -- carte blanc. :)
(I'm meaning to email you...haven't been online much the past 2 days!)
Oh I love it! Glad I checked in today - Mr. Nurme sounds like just the sort of old dignified gentleman my Daddy was. :-)
Will you be going back to visit him throughout the year?
Jonathan's painting is AMAZING - honestly, that kid's talents are endless.
Jonathan must be quite the darling :) And I absolutely love that painting!
Thank you for your post. It's weird, but after feeling moody and depressed these past weeks, your experience with Mr. Nurme was like a hot cocoa on a cold day (I live in Asia, but it's cold here right now *is befuddled*)
God bless and Happy Holidays!
This story brings back the true meaning of Christmas. People forget that in a commercialized world full of people who think Christmas is just about losing (buying) or gaining (selling) money. This story is an inspiration.
Quote "I wish I could sit for an hour and listen to your tales of bake shops and Finland and Bob Hope golf tournaments. I wish I could hear your laughter on a regular basis."
You know Jill you could, all you have to do is make this a monthly visit with your kids, they get to learn history from someone who has been there, he gets to have an audience and know that someone cares!
This is a great web site. You are a killer writer.
- Horace Finkle, Teenage Ghost
www.horacefinkle.blogspot.com
What a wonderful story, Jonathans painting is amazing, very talented young man you are raising there.
Merry Christmas to all of you.
Merry Christmas, Jill!
This is a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it.
Jillian, have a very Happy Christmas.
Beautiful story, Jillian. I got your link from Ficken Chingers. Your story was just right for reading at 10:00 PM on Christmas Eve!
That's a great story. You are a talented writer. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Doris' idea is awesome! Exactly what I was thinking! :)
Oh I hope you do!
what a great story. i love nursing home residents.
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