Angela's Third Reflection

I've been to the Best Friends Daycare center a few times now and while I didn't have the chance to bring my flute with me every time, when I have it's always been a great experience. Before my second visit, I made sure that I went home to pick up all my old solos that I thought I could still play as well as a book of Disney tunes and a stand before going to play for all of the participants. Not only were they one of the most supportive crowds I'd ever had, clapping and complimenting me after every song even if I messed up a few times but they'd come up to me afterwards and tell me over and over again just how much they appreciated my playing. There was even one day when, after I'd finished playing a song, one of the old ladies was in tears and said that my playing was beautiful and reminded her of her husband.

On top of that, after I played one of the male participants came up to me afterwards to ask where I was from. It wasn't until after I told him I was actually born in America that I realized that he was really hoping I'd say something like China or Japan so that I might relate to his stories about his Army days in Japan. The same man also likes to tell a story about the one time a bird got out of their cage in the daycare center and how it was a crazy day with people trying to chase it down. Even though it's an interesting story to listen to, I've found that he tells it almost every week and wonder just how often he tells it since I'm not there that often.

I really think that Best Friends is a great place for people with Alzheimers to go during the day because not only do they have somewhere to go when their families are busy but they can be around other people with situations similar to theirs and extremely supportive volunteers and staff there. One of the members of the staff there is extremely peppy all the time and you can tell that she works hard at her job to make sure all of the participants are happy and comfortable while they’re there, which is something I really admire.