Balloons Bring Lift in Spirits

What would be a good guess --that among adults, maybe one in 10,000 is aware that this is National Nursing Home Week?

And among elementary school children, one in a million?

Probably quite conservative odds, but at least enough people knew about it that there could be odds of some sort. And among those who not only knew about it but did something about it were 40 boys and girls from San Juan Elementary School in San Juan Capistrano.

“The kids are all fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders, members of our ‘adopted grandparent’ program which started last year,” said Julie Bunker, an adviser at the school. “Every Wednesday, they go to the Beverly Manor Convalescent Hospital in Capistrano Beach to visit with their friends.”

Usually, the 10- 11- and 12-year-old children play cards and other games with the hospital residents, Bunker said. Sometimes, little girls will fix the hair or do the nails of someone seven or eight times their age.

This Wednesday, though, there was something special.

In the warm sun in the hospital’s front yard, each of the older people was given a balloon that had the name of a hospital resident and the hospital’s address attached (so that whoever finds a balloon can send a reply telling how far it traveled).

At the countdown, the balloons were released, floating skyward and away on a gentle breeze.

White-haired Harry Silverstein tried to follow the colorful flight, clutching the hand of 11-year-old Asher Adelman, his “adopted grandson.”

“I love this boy,” he said softly.

Sitting at a picnic table nearby, resident Charlotte Atwood looked up into the eyes of 11-year-old Krista Collins, gently took a handful of the girl’s hair and pulled her down for a kiss.