Page 3 - Lincoln 55 Plus Summer 2020

Reminded that I am old? we had several family members
by Bill Budler
The pandemic has reminded
me several times that I am getting
old. But in a good way.
Just as the Covid19 virus was
beginning to change our world, I
was at the VA Hospital in Omaha
for a colonoscopy screening. The
procedure was prescribed by my
Doctor because “it’s a good idea
for guys my age”. My age?? As it
turned out I slipped in just minutes that is just not cool.
before they suspended all elective
procedures. As I lay on the gurney
awaiting my turn a supervisor
came in and told the nursing staff
that “as long as he (me) was
already here we’ll go ahead and
do it, but there won’t be any
more”. Imagine if I had gone
through all that nasty ‘prep’ only to
be told to put my clothes back on
and go home!
A few days later out of the
blue, another agent in my office
texted me to see how we were
doing with this “virus craziness”
and asked if we needed anything.
I wondered why she had reached
out to me but appreciated her
concern. Then the next day in
closing an email exchange with
another much ‘younger’ agent she
added: “Please let me know if I
can help in any way with show-
ings /office work etc for you!”.
Their concern touched my heart. I
still wondered why they were
offering help to me.
As this quarantine developed,
Lincoln 55+ Seniors Paper
reach out with offers of assis-
tance. You kind of expect that
from family. But business associ-
ates, with nothing to gain? People
offering to help others because of
the sudden and uncontrollable cir-
cumstances? Those are special
examples of the best side of
humanity? Difficult times brings
out the worst and the best in peo-
ple. Hoarding toilet paper? Well
Oh, and finally, I recently saw
myself on a video. And yup they
were all right, I am getting older.
But blessed to have had the life
God’s given me and count myself
truly fortunate to be surrounded by
such quality people. Add a subject
to make this into a sentence.
As to the crisis of the moment,
this “virus craziness”. The Covid-
19 virus could be this generations
greatest challenge. Certainly, it is
a significant health risk. The mass
hysteria and fear are concerning,
as is the immediate financial
impact. But I am also seeing the
best of humanity and looking for-
ward to the huge rebound that will
certainly follow.
Meanwhile, I will leave you with
a fitting quote from Maya Angelou:
“Every Storm Runs Out of Rain.”
Bill Budler,
Seniors Real Estate Specialist®
BancWise Realty 402-641-0060
ps: wash your hands!
Online at www.Lincoln55Plus.com
No FootPrint Too Small
"No Footprint Too Small
Birth and Bereavement
Services (NFTS) is a 501c3
nonprofit organization located
in Lincoln, Nebraska. Our mis-
sion is to provide comprehen-
sive perinatal support to moth-
ers, fathers, and families who
are affected by pregnancy or
infant loss. We fulfill our mis-
sion by offering services and
support like physical and emo-
tional support during pregnan-
cy involving a loss, funeral
planning and expense assis-
tance, referrals to grief coun-
selors, and hosting support
groups and retreats. We also
create weighted memory
bears.
Some bereaved mothers
report that they physically
ache to hold their baby. For
this reason, we offer weighted
memory bears to serve as
therapeutic tools. Our weight-
ed memory bears can provide
families not only a meaningful
gift in memory of their baby,
but a gift that has the potential that we put the baby's name
to offer them comfort and
healing.
Our weighted memory bears
can be made out of sentimen-
tal material such as a onesie,
baby blanket, or other special
material provided by the fami-
ly. NFTS is also more than
happy to provide the material
if the requestor or recipient
does not wish to provide spe-
cific material.
Each bear is filled with
either sand or rice to weigh
the exact birth weight of the
baby. The baby's name, birth
date, and birth weight is then
embroidered on a heart that is
sewn onto the bear's belly.
The bear-making process is
one that is filled with creativi-
ty, intention, and emotion.
Carol Brandl, NFTS weighted
memory bear volunteer,
shares about her own experi-
ence:
“I first got started with
NFTS after talking to someone
at a booth at the Lincoln
Women’s Expo a year ago. I
was impressed that the group
Spring 2020 - Page - 14
seemed to be able to provide
comfort to families that had
lost an infant. I can't imagine
how hard it must be to adjust
to such a loss and I feel very
good to think I can be a part
of providing even a little com-
fort. The bears are not difficult
to put together and it makes
me very happy to have a tal-
ent that allows me the ability
to provide this service. I like
and weight on them as I think
it makes them more personal.
I always hope it provides at
least a few moments of com-
fort to a family to know that
their child was important and
will not be forgotten. I am very
honored to be a part of this
group and would encourage
others to give it a try. I
believe they would find it well
worth their time.”
Carol has given of her time
and talent to provide comfort
to dozens of families through
the bears that she creates for
NFTS; her unique style shows
through each bear she cre-
ates, and the loves she puts
into the bears is shown in the
quality of work she produces.
We are currently in need
of more volunteers to create
our weighted memory bears.
If you know how to sew and/or
embroider and are interested
in learning more about this
opportunity,
call 402-480-6782 or email
info@nofootprinttoosmall.com"
Submitted - Jolie Vega