Celebrating Family Traditions and Kindness with Donna Harrison

#ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green Bench

Episode #73 - Kathy Buckworth along with co-host, Evelyn Brindle dive into the life and wisdom of Donna Harrison, a resident of The Village of Sandalwood Park in Brampton.

Donna's story is a heartwarming journey through her early years in Port Credit, where she met her beloved husband, George, and started a family at a young age. She fondly recalls their life together, George's career with Pepsi Cola, and the strong family ties that have been a cornerstone of her happiness. Donna's narrative is filled with touching anecdotes, from meeting George on the lakeshore to their shared love for the casino game Blazing Sevens.

Throughout the episode, Donna's positivity and resilience shine through, even as she recounts the challenges of losing loved ones and adapting to life changes, such as moving to Sandalwood Park. Her stories of family gatherings, especially around the Sunday roast and Christmas, highlight the importance of family traditions and togetherness.

Donna also shares her experiences at Sandalwood Park, where she has found a supportive and loving community. She participates in various activities like word games and bingo, and has formed meaningful friendships, particularly with a fellow resident named Mary.

One of the key takeaways from the conversation with Donna is her unwavering belief in kindness. She attributes her positive outlook and the kindness she receives to the kindness she extends to others. Her simple yet profound advice to "just be kind" resonates deeply and serves as a guiding principle for living a fulfilling life.

We reflect on the wisdom Donna has imparted and the joy she finds in her family and community. We encourage our listeners to embrace kindness and cherish the moments with their loved ones.

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The Green Bench is a symbol of elder wisdom. Physically or virtually, the bench invites us all to sit alongside a senior, share a conversation, or give and offer advice.

It challenges the stigma seniors face; the ageism still so prevalent in society. It reminds us of the wealth of wisdom our elders offer and in doing so, helps restore them to a place of reverence.

"The greatest untapped resource in Canada, if not the world, is the collective wisdom of our elders." -Ron Schlegel

This podcast is brought to you by Schlegel Villages Retirement & Long-term Care homes in Ontario, Canada.

#ElderWisdom | Stories from the Green Bench is produced by Memory Tree Productions

Learn more about our host, Kathy Buckworth, at kathybuckworth.com

Learn more about #ElderWisdom at elderwisdom.ca

Learn more about Schlegel Villages at schlegelvillages.com