Seniors Celebrate

The morning started off grey, wet and cold, not at all the kind of morning to be out gallivanting around. However this didn't stop the seniors from arriving at ashgrove in hordes!! Why? For the annual Seniors' Celebration of course! It was a jam-packed morning full of information, entertainment and community.

After the official welcome, seniors' enjoyed a delicious high tea in the auditorium. It was noted that this year the older people preferred coffee, with some having up to four cups! Is there a new trend appearing or is ashgrove's coffee extra nice?

Once everyone was buzzing with energy, it was straight into a good old fashioned sing-along and a chance to visit different displays. Senior service providers had come along for the day and set up stalls, lining each wall of the auditorium. These stalls are part of the mini expo of services available to seniors on the day and include stands from groups such as retirement villages and health services. For some of these agencies it was their first time at ashgrove's Seniors Celebration, while others boasted their third consecutive year attending - bringing more people each time!

Speaker Ifor Thomas, spent the morning not only sharing jokes, but also taking the time to share his heart about approaching the sunset of life with hope found in Jesus Christ. He spoke of two different experiences in which he had met people who came to have a relationship with Jesus and therefore weren't afraid to die.  A DVD interview of Don Steel tied in beautifully to Ifors' reflection, as Don spoke of what life is like as a senior and the hope he has of one day being with His Lord.

At the end of the morning everyone was happy and satisfied. Seniors spoke of how much they had enjoyed the morning, and how amazed they were of the free things on offer, both from the Senior Service Providers and also from the celebrations' gift bags. The trusty team of volunteers who had spent the morning serving and welcoming people were overjoyed that the day had been such a success.

Overall one couldn't have asked for a better morning of friends, festivities, faith and food - although perhaps next year ashgrove better make sure to order extra coffee!