Lieberman Center Spring Carnival 2015

Michael and Gregory sponsored the carnival in honor of Michael's 70th birthday. Approximately 250 Lieberman residents, family, friends, and guests attended this gala event. Twenty five of Gregory and Michael's family and friends volunteered to run the games and refreshment counter and a dozen Lieberman and CJA volunteers helped residents move around the room.

Carousel music was playing in the background, the smell of freshly popped pop corn was in the air, over 100 colorful helium balloons decorated the community room, table top game tables were covered in gayly colored table cloths, kosher cotton candy and orange sherbet push ups were available as well as fruit punch.

Every player was a winner and could select two presents on the way out including Beanie Babies, key chains, bracelets, pens/pencils, boxes of Kleenex, bags of M&Ms, and more. A good time was had by all!

The Carnival Mascot: Peaceful Too

Sponsors Gregory and Michael

Gregory playing the "Beach Ball" game with Manny & Caroline.

Gregory playing the "Beach Ball" game.

Gregory having a great time at the Carnival.

Emily showing Gregory his photo.

Helpers Alma (5th Floor Activity Director) and Hanna (5th Floor Social Worker.)

Michael and Hannah.

Gregory and Manny (Private Care Aide, Friend, and Lifesaver!)

Larry sitting up the "Ring Toss" game.

Sharon and Michael at the "Jug Tumble" and "Duck Pond" game.

Sheryl and Sarah at the "Kissing Booth" and "Soccer Slam" games.

 Naomi at the "Luck Dice" game.

Robert at the "Clown Tumble" game.

Caroline at the "Beach Ball" game.

Cheryl at the "Ice Cream Scoop" game.

Howard at the "Fruit Match" game.

Gregory having a great time at the Lieberman Spring Carnival, March 22, 2015. The game he is playing involves tossing the beach ball into a shallow swimming pool on the floor.

Jan & Jake's Photo Booth

A post by my friend Jan Yourist:

https://connectere.wordpress.com/2015/03/23/the-joy-of-this-game/#comment-6780

The joy of this game

Posted on March 23, 2015by jyourist

My dear friend Michael is turning 70. It’s hard to believe that all this time has passed. I think we were both in our early thirties when we first met. Over 10 years ago his partner Gregory was first diagnosed with early onset of Alzheimer’s and a year ago last December, Gregory needed to be moved into a care facility. Michael visits him nearly every day.

At first Michael wanted to spend his birthday quietly but then decided to put on a carnival to celebrate his 70th year for the residents where Gregory now lives. He asked his friends to help man the booths (Ring Toss, Go Fish, Bowling, etc.). All the games would be set up so that each resident could easily accomplish the task. There would be popcorn and cotton candy, circus music and lots of balloons to make it as festive and stimulating as possible. And everyone would win a prize. The center had invited all the families of the residents as well. Yesterday was the celebration.

I have to admit that at first I wasn’t sure it was all going to work out and that the residents would truly enjoy themselves. But dream no small dreams. It was loud and high-spirited. The room was filled with lots of family members and the residents busy,  interacting, and for the most part engaged. The staff at the center were also busy helping each resident through the maze of games and face-painting and food. JB and I were in charge of the photo booth where residents could get their pictures taken with a four foot bear Michael had purchased. We introduced ourselves to each resident as they came by and asked their names, told them what we were going to do, and introduced them to the bear. Some residents had intimate conversations with the bear, held its hand, felt its soft fur. Some, of course, were not aware of what was going on but a few seemed to be able to bring up a smile when asked. And then families began to request to have their pictures taken with their family member who lives there. Families gathered around their loved one and the bear to document the day. They asked for copies. One son whispered me a thanks for being so animated.

Having been to the center on other occasions visiting Gregory, I have become somewhat familiar with some of the residents. This was the first time, however, I met members of their families, the people from a time in their lives when they were vibrant, aware– the shakers and movers in their communal circles.  Yesterday was a snapshot into the broader context of their lives and whom they must have been, into the apparent impact they have made on other relationships in their lives.

And perhaps that was the real gift of yesterday. All of Michael’s friends came to the Lieberman Center to bring some zest and energy into the lives of those who live there. We all came with preconceived notions of doing a good deed. Actually, I believe we all left loaded with gifts, and not the ones offered as door prizes. We left with some new understanding of how a life can be distilled to its essence, without ego and expectation. How joy can really feel so pure and simple. How connection, in whatever form it takes, can sometimes be enough.

When I saw Gregory, it took him a minute or two to look at me. He kept looking past me though he heard my voice. When his eyes finally settled on my face, his eyes widened and he said, “You are so pretty!” Trust me, I’m sure Gregory was responding to the energy coming from me, not to any external manifestation of beauty. I looked deeply into his eyes, rubbed his cheek, and thanked him for the compliment.

Near the end of the carnival, one resident, talking with me, looked at one of her daughters with an almost apologetic look on her face and said, “I am sodependent on her.”

“Well, once she was so dependent on you,” I responded.

“Yes,” she said, “that is true.” Smiling she added, “I guess that’s the joy of this game.”

Carnival Pix

These were taken by the son and his partner of one of Gregory's fellow residents. (Permission to use given.)

Lieberman Spring Carnival

I am sure I will be writing about this for several days to come but meanwhile this is my thank you to the helpers who joined me today at the Carnival:

DL, SL, SL, JY, JB, IB, CA, LG, WG, EM, NC, HS, RS, SL, JL, PA, MP, SSP, RM, NL, RL, RL, KN, VN,

A vision is no good without people to help you support that vision. Thanks so much for your help today at Lieberman and for being the first to help usher in my 70th year.

Together we made so many people happy including Lieberman residents and their families, Lieberman staff, and very importantly each other. Events like this, which for the most part take only a little energy, pay back with such great rewards of joy. 

So many laughs, so many smiles, so many thank yous, so many boxes of popcorn and push-ups, so many men and woman hugging their prize Beanie Babies, were our thanks. I do consider the ability to spread the joy a gift from Gregory and a gift of Alzheimer’s. 

As I said, Gregory may not be able to remember your name or exactly how you connect to his life, but he does know and feel your love for him and knows that you are special to him as well!

I love you all and consider myself blessed to have you in my life and for your continuing loyalty to Gregory and me!

Michael

As The 70th Birthday Approaches

The birthday itself will be understated and calm on March 27. My birthday has become a time to be more retrospective and pensive because of Gregory’s not being here with me like he used to, my mom’s passing on my birthday (which I still consider a blessing that she began her next journey on the day she started mine,) and the fact that I am turning 70 (dealing OK with that but still…)

The lead-up will be hectic and amazing with 1) the carnival at Lieberman and 2) the arrival of four students who will be staying with me at the condo (one of whom is the son of dear friends, John and Maureen) from Chapman University. 

The kids are enrolled in program called Community Voices, a documentary filmmaking course that partners students with various non-profit organizations across Orange County and culminates in a 10-15 minute documentary film. 

They are partnered with the Orange County Alzheimer's Association and Gregory and I will be the subject of their documentary with a focus less on the sorrow and more on the love that continues to sustain both of us.

Watch for photos on facebook and on the blog: http://mhorvichcares.blogspot.com

Giving Instead of Receiving

My 70th birthday is coming up at the end of March and on the day I was going to lock the door, close the lights, and hide behind the sofa. Instead I decided that to celebrate my birthday I would plan and pay for a SPRING CARNIVAL for the residents living at The Lieberman Center.

I have been working with the Life Enrichment Department to orchestrate this what is going to be amazing event. Here is a map I created to support the proposal and a copy of the flyer they created which will be mailed to all of the Liberman families.

After the event, I will post photographs.