During the coldest days of one of the worst winters on record, an 86 year-old man asked his daughter to take him to the nursing home so he could visit some of the residents. The daughter was reluctant, but agreed. She feared her father would fall on the icy sidewalks and parking lot.

The man stayed for 90 minutes visiting with numerous old friends. His effort was at great personal sacrifice and wearied him for the rest of the day, but the daughter could tell how much it meant to her father. He later told her that many times he didn’t physically feel like going to church, but he went to encourage others.

Statistics say that over 60% of seniors in nursing homes are not visited. The quote in the title of this blog is from Ronald Regan. The full quote says, “If not us then who? If not now then when?”

If an 86 year-old man can make the regular sacrifice to visit and encourage seniors, can we not do the same and even more? If not you and me then who? If not now then when? Will you stand with this 86 year-old man and make a difference in the lives of seniors in your community, your church, your neighborhood, and in your family?

Let me hear from you. Together we can make a difference one senior at a time.

Stan Means
President
Elder Source Senior Ministries