A hundred children drew Christmas cards and wrote sweet words to the residents of the CHSLD Nazaire-Piché, in Lachine. This initiative, replicated in several residences, touches the hearts of seniors much more than one might imagine with the approach of the end-of-year celebrations.
” It warms my heart. A lot, a lot,” said Louise Gosselin, in a voice of emotion. The 80-year-old lady has just received a card with a drawing of a big red man, a fir tree and snowflakes.
Inside, Aryella, 6, wrote a message: “They say I’m a happy person […] What I like during the holidays is to open my Christmas presents”, says the little girl who also likes DIY and playing with her friends.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Seeing the students at the CHSLD, Louise Gosselin remembered the happy times she spent with her six grandchildren, she said.
“I wish you peace and happiness during the holiday season,” concludes the child.
Aryella, like dozens of other children, dropped a card in the Saul-Bellow Library mailbox. This retro-looking box was first used for the Montreal Children’s Literature Festival last summer. After the event, the organizers donated it to the library.
“We thought it would be a good idea to have a place where people could leave a message and talk to people they wouldn’t necessarily communicate with,” explains Jonathan Gosselin, head of the Lachine libraries section.
With the holidays approaching, the mailbox was therefore made available to young library members, more specifically those aged 17 and under, for the first time. They were invited to make a greeting card for a senior in the neighborhood. A template has been created for those lacking inspiration.
“It’s an opportunity for young people who are full of life, energy and purity to communicate with seniors who feel lonely during the holidays,” says Mr. Gosselin.
“I’m going to put it on my desk”
A few days before Christmas, the hundred cards were distributed to the CHSLD Nazaire-Piché. For the occasion, students from a fourth-grade class at Jardin-des-Saints-Anges school, located two blocks away, also contributed by making a card and hand-delivering it to a senior. . That day, there were shining eyes in the reception hall of the CHSLD. Sometimes even wet eyes.
“I am very happy. I love children so much. Before, I had daycare at home,” says Jeanine Conway, who is unstoppable when asked to read us the card she received.
“I have four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren”, continues the one who is about to celebrate her 94e birthday, December 26.
“I’m happy,” she repeated. I’m going to put the card on my desk, ”explains Mr.me Conway, all smiles.
Louis Veronneau, who remains mysterious as to his age, admits that he had difficulty deciphering his card written in pencil. We read it to him: “What I like during the holidays, writes Adrien, 11 years old, is the atmosphere, the family dinners, the holidays and the traditional meals… even if I am a vegetarian. »
The message makes the man laugh. “It makes me feel good,” he says. Then he starts to sing again Jingle Bells along with the music playing to cheer up the residents.
Louise Gosselin said she was touched that little strangers took the time to draw her a picture. “I find it nice. It’s special to see that the children love us,” she said, holding back tears.
Messages that do good
These cards made by little hands, they not only bring joy to the elders, but also to the children who prepare them, says Rébecca Bigué, the fourth grade teacher who participated in the project.
“One afternoon in class, I took out some paint, glitter and we discussed the messages we could write,” she explains. “These people are sometimes alone and do not see their families as often as they would like. So we decided to write messages that would do them good, ”says Ms.me Bigue.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
“The colorful drawings, the childish writing, the choice of sometimes funny words, it affects our residents enormously,” says Jo-Anne LaVallière, recreation specialist at the CHSLD.
Milan Boutin, she drew a garland with small colored lights. In her message, she wished the person who read her letter a Merry Christmas, surrounded by people who are dear to her.
“I’m happy because I feel like I’m giving a nice gift to the elderly,” explained the 9-year-old girl, surrounded by her classmates and a few elders.
Half of the residents of the CHSLD Nazaire-Piché see their family only once a year, or not at all, says Jo-Anne LaVallière, the establishment’s recreation specialist. Before the pandemic, children from a daycare sometimes visited the elders, but these meetings had to stop because of COVID-19. They are barely picking up.
“Residents love it when they interact with children,” says Ms.me LaValliere. Today they received cards. The colorful drawings, the childish writing, the choice of sometimes funny words, it touches our residents enormously. »
The mailbox
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE BOROUGH OF LACHINE
Saul-Bellow Library Mailbox
The Saul-Bellow Library mailbox was first used for the Montreal Children’s Literature Festival last summer. This was used during a workshop led by Pierrette Dubé and Aurélien Galvan, the author and illustrator of the book The mailbox. The box, which was used to collect the Christmas cards given to residents of the CHSLD Nazaire-Piché, was decorated by Aurélien Galvan. “The Festival is only one day in summer, but we like our activities to last over time and benefit several people. That’s why we thought about putting the mailbox back in the library,” explains Françoise Conea, general manager of the event.