Commun ty Matters Salina Presbyterian Manor
June 2017
Mary’s musings By Mary Bridges, chaplain Salina Presbyterian Manor
If you know me, you know I love to talk. I am blessed to be a part of the Presbyterian Manor family, where I have an opportunity to talk a lot. I love talking with residents, staff and families. One of the things I try very hard to do is to encourage caregivers to take time for themselves. My husband and I were caregivers for both our mothers, and at the time, we had children at home. I think they called us the “sandwich generations.” I know what it is to feel overwhelmed by all the things that need to be done. The first time we flew, it was to a family wedding. We had my mom and my sister-in-law’s mom with us. It was on that flight to California that I learned the most important thing about caregiving. It was when they made the announcement, you know, the one that tells you, “In the event that the oxygen masks drop put yours on first. Then assist small children or those with special needs MUSINGS continued on page 4
Flying with honors
Resident and daughter visit D.C. with other veterans The mission of Kansas Honor Flight is to make it easy for aging veterans to see their war memorials. Something magical happens on these trips to Washington, D.C. The sight of dozens of veterans visiting a memorial to their service inspires heartfelt expressions of patriotism from scores of grateful strangers. Don Lloyd, a resident at Salina Presbyterian Manor, served in the U.S. Air Force in the Korean War. In April, he went on an Honor Flight with his daughter, Jana Lloyd, and 27 other veterans, plus their escorts. They were barely halfway to Washington when Jana realized they weren’t just another group of tourists. While changing planes in St. Louis, she said, “The whole airport applauded the whole time” as they went to their gate. Honor Flights were organized to bring World War II veterans to Washington when the war memorial opened. Now, veterans from Korea and Vietnam also are welcome. Don heard about the flight last fall from his insurance agent, who said she would get him the paperwork. He told Jana, who didn’t wait around. She found the forms online herself and got them submitted. Finally, they heard they were booked on Flight FLYING, continued on page 3