Boys' Lax volunteers at Wilbraham Senior Center
By Phil Roland, Head Coach
The Wilbraham & Monson Academy Boys’ Lacrosse team arrived at the Wilbraham Senior Center on Feb. 28 at 3:00 p.m. and departed at 5:00 p.m. We met with approximately 30 seniors in the community activity center.
Our goal was to have our boys get out of their comfort zone and to provide a smile and GREAT CHANGE within our community. These goals were accomplished.
Upon our arrival, the residents and the team really did not know how to proceed. Young guys, in WMA blazers and ties, meeting with seniors in wheelchairs and pajamas, provided excitement and a buzz throughout the facility. As we all started to chat and to say hello, something GREAT occurred. Card games started up. Checkers games started up. Life stories were told. Wow!!! What a nice day. We were so very proud of our boys.
A couple of GREAT stories:
I leaned down to speak with an Asian lady. She did not respond and I was told that she was deaf and did not speak English. I grabbed Joseph Lee (Hong Kong) and dragged him over. He started up a conversation and, after three attempts, this lady brighten-up, sat up and started talking. Joseph found common ground with Cantonese. They went on and on for the afternoon. Both Joseph and this lady departed with beautiful smiles. Joseph helped to clean her chin a couple of times and got her a drink. GREAT CHANGE!
A couple, married for 63 years, told us their life stories. They were lifelong Monson natives, lived next door, grew up together, had their first kiss at age 12. He went off to war, serving as a Marine in the Pacific for five years. Upon his return they married, had three boys, losing one at age 32. He went to the Senior Center with bad knees while she stayed home. Three years later, she fell, broke her hip and, guess what, qualified for entry. They reunited and are together again. They live in the same room and “still smooch” and “get away with things” when “no one is looking.” How cool was that. She looks like Audrey Hepburn although my guys never heard the name. Go figure!
Several boys set up a card game called UNO. The goal of this game is to get rid of all of your cards. One resident lady could not be convinced and she proudly collected cards and our boys changed the rules to be sure she won with the MOST cards.
Two-person team checkers was going strong on the other side of the room. One resident proudly stated that she was the “house champion” and proceeded to take on all challengers. We are not certain if our Titans let her win but she had a huge smile on her face.
We spoke with a lady from Wilbraham who lost her home and all of her life possessions in the tornado. Pointing to her head, she said she is OK because “ I keep it all up here.”
Another lady who had lost her leg to diabetes stayed strong and indicated you can never quit . . . you can never give up. Boy, did she have A GREAT ATTITUDE!
The entire team got together and presented our team pledge out loud.
THINK BIG AND YOUR DREAMS WILL GROW,
THINK SMALL AND YOU WILL FALL BEHIND,
THINK THAT YOU CAN AND YOU WILL,
IT IS ALL IN A STATE OF MIND.
LIFE’S BATTLES DO NOT ALWAYS GO
TO THE STRONGER OR FASTER MAN,
BUT SOONER OR LATER THE FELLOW WHO WINS
IS THE MAN WHO THINKS HE CAN.
We received a nice round of applause.
Upon our departure, there were many hugs and handshakes and we hope to schedule a return visit. Out in the parking lot, prior to getting on the vans, we spoke of the experience. The enthusiastic feedback, the smiles and the excitement told the story. We were wicked uncomfortable going in, we overcame our fears and doubts, we made some friends, created some smiles and received more tha