By Sharon Yesner, Site Supervisor
The Best Day of My Life So Far
at United Methodist Communities
Pitman, NJ
Our group started with 3 Rowan University students, 6 residents and a family member on February 19, 2014. At first, our leadership team (my co-worker and co-leader Tina Bontya, our 21-year-old volunteer facilitator Ashley Force, and I) were concerned that the residents wouldn’t be able to write or remember stories that they would want to share with the group. Our concerns dissipated after sage advice from Best Day founder Benita Cooper: “Just give them time, don’t put any pressure on them, just have conversations and eventually, the stories will come.”
Well, we followed her advice and she was right! They started talking and the verbal stories soon became their written stories – their own personal histories to be shared with fellow members and Best Day’s social media fans. Fast forward to now, a year and a half later, yes we have had some changes – the Rowan Students have graduated, one of our copy editors for the group seamlessly took over the reins as facilitator of the group, we have had some members leave, mostly due to health issues, new members (writers and volunteers) have joined – but through all the changes, this group continues to meet weekly! Except for some cancelations due to weather or illness, the Pitman Manor group has continued regularly since our very first meeting! We happily celebrated the 2014 Holiday Season as the Best Day Pitman Manor Family and in May 2015, we celebrated our first anniversary with a big event with Benita joining via Skype!
My colleagues and I have seen our residents transform from being a part of our Best Day group. A member who was shy and reserved has now shown a great sense of humor and has written stories about someone who was willing to take chances and have fun! Another member, no matter how that individual feels, makes sure that they attend the group weekly. Another member chose to share deeply personal feelings about things they were going through and received reassurance and positive feedback not only from our “Home Group” but also from members of the group out in Oregon!
Our residents were not the only ones who transformed and grew. So did the young people who volunteered. In a post for our group’s blog, about highlights of our August 26 session, 17-year-old Kaitlin Kortonick wrote:
Much of today’s conversation involved school, as I informed the group that my college course schedule – which begins next week – conflicts with the weekly Best Day meetings. Sharon suggested that each member of the group share some words of wisdom and experienced advice as I prepare to begin this next chapter of my life and education.
The results were wonderful. George wittily prompted me not to listen to my professors, Grace and Agnes encouraged me to mix work with plenty of play, Bob recalled some of his personal college experiences, and Joan warned against the addictive nature of Bridge and its potential to interfere with schoolwork, stating that she had “really majored in Bridge.” Amid the laughs and good-natured jests were touching words of such well-wishing, encouragement, and kindness as left me feeling truly impressed by the genuine warmth and vivacity of this group of people from whom I have learned so much.
Thank you for the laughs and the lessons! I look forward to visiting on my breaks and wish you all the very best. Write on!
“So long as you write what you wish to write, that is all that matters; and whether it matters for ages or only for hours, nobody can say.” –Virginia Woolf
Tina and I recently saw a great example of how far-reaching this program has been for our members (residents and volunteers), family members and visitors. Due to privacy issues, I can’t go in to detail, however I can share that Tina and I recently learned how much a member’s participation means to his/her family. We saw someone’s collections of stories in their family’s possession, outside of the Manor and it was totally unexpected. The experience was emotionally overwhelming. Also, this summer, I had friends from Connecticut unexpectedly stop by the Manor while they were in the area as the Best Day group was taking place. It was with pride that I was able to take them to the group and introduce everyone to each other. My girlfriend is now a Facebook fan of Best Day. Lastly, I have attached a photo of myself swinging with friends after a Sunday walk this past August! Our swinging adventure was inspired by group member Joan Mattson’s story she wrote earlier this summer about swinging.