By Mike Cooper

As the song goes, “Love is in the air, in the whisper of the trees. Love is in the air, in the thunder of the sea.” As we close in on Valentine’s Day this Sunday, there are many things pink and red in stores, on television and in ads. Retailers want you to believe that your loved one will love you more with a card, candy, jewelry, or dinner out.

I’m not suggesting that you skip getting your loved ones those things (my sweetie may see one or more of those), but what can you do for others, even strangers, that would make their day?

Here are a few suggestions:

• Pay it forward. When you go through a drive-thru, pay for the person’s coffee or meal in the car behind you. You have no idea how a small gesture like that can brighten someone’s day. If they do it for the next car, you will have started a trend to brighten the day for a lot of people.
• Shovel someone’s driveway. Whether an older person lives next to you or someone younger, shovel their drive when it snows just because. Right now the forecast calls for snow on Valentine’s Day; what better way to brighten someone’s day than clearing the snow for them.
• Make a meal for someone who can’t get out. Do you know an older adult who doesn’t go out much (or at all) or just someone who is sick or struggling? Make a meal and deliver it to them. If you are delivering to an older adult, make sure to have clear instructions on it for reheating. A hot meal can really warm the spirit! Better yet, invite them over for dinner.
• Make a call. Is there a relative or friend you haven’t talked to in a while (especially someone older)? (I mean really talked to, not just a post on Facebook.) Pick up the phone and call them. They would love to hear from you, just to know that someone is thinking of them. Ask them about a favorite Valentine memory.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to cost a fortune; you can make someone’s day in small ways. Just give it some thought.

Naperville Senior Center provides a warm, safe environment for your loved one when they can’t safely be on their own during the day. We provide them with a hot, noontime meal and the socialization to keep them from being lonely. Your loved one is truly our loved one.

Members are welcome to be as independent as they can safely be while they are with us. In fact, one of our Members drives himself to our center! He could go anywhere he wants, but due to the socialization and other cool things, he chooses to come here a few days a week. In addition to socialization, we encourage exercise, games and puzzles, singing, clapping, dancing, computer time and a host of other activities to provide mental and physical stimulation for our Members.

Call to action: contact us to schedule a FREE 3-hour trial at our facility so you can see what we have to offer and understand the Naperville Senior Center experience, “Home Away From Home”.

By Mike Cooper

There is a lot of hoopla surrounding the Big Game this Sunday.  It’s the 50^th Super Bowl; it’s the biggest age difference between opposing quarterbacks in the Big Game; and it could very well be the last game of a future hall-of-fame quarterback.

What do those things have to do with you and me? Here are three takeaways from Super Bowl 50:

• Whether you are old or young, you can be a leader. Don’t think there is a certain age range for leading. Presidents have been young and old. These 2 teams are led by their quarterbacks, who are young and old (relatively speaking, of course). There are many qualities that make up a leader; age is not one of them.
• Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Peyton Manning is not the dominate force he once was, yet his team is in the Super Bowl this year. In addition to his contributions, he expects the rest of his team – offense and defense – to step and play, well, as a team. When you need help – a little or a lot – ask for it. You’ll be surprised at the support you receive.
• If you can do it alone, then do it. The only thing we haven’t seen Cam Newton do is catch his own passes! Yet he has passed, run, jumped and dove his way into the NFL record books. Peyton Manning, with all his NFL records, was never that kind of a quarterback. If Cam can continue being that physical as he gets older, our hats come off to him. As Americans continue to get older, there are things we may be able to do safely on our own. If so, do them and enjoy the independence.

Naperville Senior Center provides a warm, safe environment for your loved one when they can’t safely be on their own during the day. Members are welcome to be as independent as they can safely be while they are with us. In fact, one of our Members drives himself to our center! He could go anywhere he wants, but due to the socialization and other cool things, he chooses to come here a few days a week. In addition to socialization, we encourage exercise, games and puzzles, singing, clapping, dancing, computer time and a host of other activities to provide mental and physical stimulation for our Members.

Call to action: contact us to schedule a FREE 3-hour trial at our facility so you can see what we have to offer and understand the Naperville Senior Center experience, “Home Away From Home”.