This is my second unit of CPE. My first was in September 2019 and my second began in
September 2020. The two units have each presented their challenges. We CPE interns have
been assigned residents in a different manner this year compared to last. In 2019 we each had
residents from each of the various areas: Health Service Center, The Lodge, LAL, Havenwood
Cottages, and Heritage Heights Cottages. And of course this year is much different since we
have not been able to visit residents in person since December because of COVID, and we
have had to conduct interaction with residents either by telephone or ZOOM. The other thing
that is different is each of us has been assigned to specific areas rather than an assignment
of residents from each of the various areas and campuses. Having an assignment from one
specific area has given me a different perspective of HHH. Sometimes it is hard to realize
that the two campuses (Havenwood and Heritage Heights) are really part of the same
organization. Whenever I am on one particular campus, the other is referred to as “over there.”

But the one particular thing that I am impressed with is the attitude of all of the residents
regardless of where they are living. Each of the independent residents is interviewed yearly
with what is called SWELL Chats. This is a means of touching base with the resident to see
how things are going. My impression of the residents of HHH prior to COVID was the
friendliness, the happy frame of mind, and the many smiles. Now that we have been living
with COVID for almost a year, my impression is still the same. Despite COVID weariness
and sometimes feeling “zoomed out,” most residents are still very friendly, in a happy frame
of mind, and have many smiles. The resilience of the residents is amazing.

Some of the questions with the SWELL Chat are: What is your strength? What do you do
for fun? What are your spiritual practices? The answers are rather similar from each resident.

1. Strengths: Keeping a positive attitude on life.
2. Activities: Walking or hiking for exercise; jigsaw puzzles; card games; reading; activities on Channel 919 such as World Affairs; Book Discussion; Sing Alongs; Updates from Administration.
3. Social interaction: Zoom with family, meals with friends at Barrows for lunch.
4. Spiritual practices: Commune with nature; Zoom with my church community on Sundays.

We each have had to alter our lifestyle for the past year with COVID. And although there are
some down times and feelings of despair as to when will it all end, there is a reservoir of
resilience in most of us. This may be more apparent to us when we are relieved of COVID
and are able to look back and assess our resilience. We will analyze our responses and be
able to see how we got through it. But even now it is worth the time to celebrate our
resilience and to look at the lessons that we are learning. It really is summed up to keeping
a positive outlook on life, just as our HHH residents are doing.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for the challenges in life that help to build my strength.
Thank you for the times when my lack of resources reminds me of the value of resourcefulness.
Thank you for the mysterious people who confound, frustrate and annoy me, teaching me patience and the art of forgiveness.
Thank you for the moments when I am in desperate need of a miracle, and at the very last moment, from an unexpected source, one arrives.
Thank you for the difficult path that only I can walk, the challenging problems that you have prepared for me to solve and the purpose that you have for my life.
Thank you for the moments of courage that you give me so that I can live a life of meaning, not comfort.
Thank you for the moments when I am aware of my many faults, not so that I can wallow in guilt, but so that I can tap into your grace and mercy.
Thank you for sending angels to wrestle with me, building my resilience and teaching me to hold on to what is good.
I pray that you would give me strong ankles for the times when I walk on rocky ground.
I pray that you would give me a strong heart for the times when pain would otherwise break my spirit.
And I pray that even in the darkest night, I will be looking to the light that’s coming.
I pray that I (and my family and friends) may be numbered with the resilient ones.
Amen

Darren Poke, Better Life Coaching Blog

Mary Anne Totten, CPE Intern