Loving People Project

Convalescence Home Caroling- Loving People (continued)

In December 2008, the Mother’s Kitchen group stepped outside of their typically known domain for doing food service alone. They held music rehearsals to learn holiday songs. Gifts were made of potted rosemary, basil and thyme, each wrapped in foil, each resembling a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. With Santa hats in place, the group entered into a community room filled with 20 people. And so began the singing adventure for the Los Angeles Mother’s Kitchen holiday carolers.

The Sunshine residents were delightful, patient, and wholly forgiving of any musical errors on the part of the nervous, first-time carolers. The Sunshine Convalescence Home houses a diverse group of people: African-American, Asian, and a handicapped biker who requested a song by Led Zeppelin. Silent Night was a particular favorite. The faces of the residents sparkled with emotion. They conveyed a sense of what the holidays meant to them when they were younger, and they absorbed a real essence of the more sacred works.

Four singers sang for about forty minutes. At the conclusion of the musical presentation, the potted herbs were distributed. Leaving the community room, the Mother’s Kitchen singers took their love from room to room, singing one or two songs, reaching out to those who could not participate with the main presentation.

One carolers described the experience as it “opening the heart unconditionally”. With the “People Loving People Project” complete joy was felt by all. Another participant described the experience as “ego crushing.” The residents were the ones who actually gave back 10 times more to the carolers. Love and Serve come full circle.

"When we serve others, it is we, more that anyone, who benefit from the service. Selfless service fills us with satisfaction and joy and we become more expansive." Amma