While some groups only visit the seniors at Mount Vernon Nursing & Rehabilitation Center at Christmas time, the children from Aquinas Montessori School also come on Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day.
They visited this past Monday, laden with stuffed Valentine’s Day hearts, Valentine’s Day cards, songs to sing and warmth to share.
Led by their teacher, Amanda Messinger, and piano and voice teacher Kim Fairchild, the first, second and third graders sang some old-fashioned love songs. A packed room full of residents listened and smiled as the children took turns announcing the songs, and a couple played a tune on their recorders.
After that there was plenty of time to distribute the felt hearts that the children had made; each one filled with a chocolate. They distributed their Valentine’s Day cards and asked the residents some questions. They were especially glad to see Meredith Cooper; he and Bessie Bessitti have both celebrated their 100th birthdays. Some of the children had been there when Cooper celebrated his birthday and looked forward to talking to him.
“They’ve gotten to know Mr. Cooper very well,” Messinger said.