Seniors leave legacies on video
April 17, 2006

What was it like to be in WWII, or to grow up in an area dominated by the Ku Klux Klan? How hard was it to live during the Great Depression? What was it like to fight for civil rights?

Every person has a fascinating story to tell, a legacy to leave behind when he or she enters the kingdom of heaven. Such stories of our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents are precious memories that become a part of who we are. That is why LSS felt it was important to document as many stories as possible as part of a new Wholeness Project.

“We receive a spiritual heritage from our parents, grandparents, pastors and teachers. Throughout our lives we continue to add on to this heritage by our belief in God and fellowship with others,” said the Rev. Mel Swoyer, director of spiritual care for LSS. “But this doesn’t die with us. We pass it on as our legacy, the little things people remember about us.”

Through the Wholeness Project, each elderly resident of an LSS retirement community will be able to make a life story video to tell about their childhood, marriage, spirituality, career and major historical events they lived through.

Students from local schools will be able to watch and get a first-hand account from someone who actually experienced these events when they occurred. It provides an enriched learning opportunity for students, and a chance for the elderly to serve others and keep their history alive.

“I was in a gang when I was growing up, but back then, a “gang” was good,” said Betsy Fabricus, in the video that she made at Copperfield Village in March. “Our gang did things to help the community. Once we harvested a farmer’s corn for him before it rained.”

In May, each LSS senior community began documenting the stories of residents. All the videos will be put into a media library for future generations.

“It’s important for future generations to try to learn from mistakes that past generations have made,” said Mary McQueen, a Copperfield Village resident who recently recorded her life story.

The living history videos are only a part of the Wholeness Project. The Wholeness Project recognizes the need to minister to the whole person: spirit, body and mind. A variety of other spiritual care opportunities are available to each resident, and each facility director encourages residents to participate. Weekly chapel and Bible study groups, seasonal religious events, transportation to local churches for worship, service projects, and social events like concerts and dances all give residents an opportunity to be active and involved.

LSS hopes the Wholeness Program gives seniors a feeling of satisfaction and worth while they serve God and others, and eventually leave their legacies behind.

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