November 20, 2002
Generations gather to give thanks for families
Children and Grand Traverse Medical Care Facility residents decorate Tree of Thanks
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Brothers and cousins, parents and turkeys.
Children from the Grand Traverse Pavilions' Intergenerational Community Center found many things to be thankful for this holiday season, including going to grandma's house, a new baby brother, even a toy airplane.
They wrote their "thank yous" on construction paper ornaments and shared them with residents of Grand Traverse Medical Care Facility on Friday morning. Then young and old together decorated a Tree of Thanks, which now graces the main entrance of the Grand Traverse Pavilions. Other ornaments included color bags of potpourri, pinecones and shaped cookies, all made by residents of the Medical Care Facility.
The young participants found many things to be thankful for, mostly starting with family.
"I am thankful for my mom and dad and for Thanksgiving," said Taylor Roderick, 5, echoing a familiar sentiment.
Seven children filled the tree with ornaments with an occasional assist from a Medical Care Facility resident, whose greater reach and sense of style helped evenly distribute the ornaments around the tree.
"We don't have any kids around, ours are all grown up and live all over the country," said Gerda Gray, a resident of the Medical Care Facility for more than a year. "So when we do get visitors, we really enjoy it."
Throughout the year, residents of the facility and children at the daycare center spend time together at least two or three times a week. Sharing holidays and ordinary days, parties and playtime, the groups forge bonds that are beneficial to everyone.
"This provides them an awareness of the grandmas and grandpas of real people," said Maryanne Bartlett,
a facilitator at the childcare center. "They make friends with them and get to know them, it is great."
Sometimes the friendships transcend the easy access provided by sharing a building.
"Some of the kids come back and see me, even when they are in elementary school," said Beverly Burcar, a resident of the Medical Care Facility for 18 months. "I love the kids, they make our life each day wonderful."