Today was the much awaited HCAB brunch! All of our volunteers gathered together to visit our buddies and their family members. We arrived in the large room where the tables were set beautifully. There were colorful flower arrangements on the tables, plates were laid out very nicely, and the room was slowly being filled with chatter.

The day was clear and bright as I went into Hebrew Senior Life to meet Nancy. We talked some and then read some poetry. Often times, when I ask Nancy about her past poetry, she replies that she cannot find her old journals. However, she can often recite one of her favorite poems from memory!

For the second time, Harvard College Alzheimer’s Buddies (HCAB) collaborated with Harvard Arts Program (HARTZ), another Phillips Brooks House Association program working with the elderly and connecting with them through arts and crafts.

This week, I went to Nancy with a surprise in my bag: a book of poetry! I’ve read poems to Nancy before, and it’s been one of the ways we have bonded. However, this week, I purposefully took the poetry collection I was reading in class.

Today, I went to see Nancy* again. One of my favorite things to do is listen as she talks about her art workshop. She’s a very creative individual - something that is clear from us talking about and reading poetry. Now, Nancy spends every week with an artist for an hour and fellow residents working on art. Specifically, Nancy enjoys doing sculptures of human faces.

Last summer, I had learned how to make these amazing peanut butter cookies. I had some extra time this week, so I baked some cookies and took some for Nancy.

The visit today was particularly unique. Nancy and I, due to our love of poetry, decided to write a poem together. What we decided to do was to come up with a line each, and improvise as we went on.

Today, I met with Nancy and her family for the first time after winter break! We sat and talked about how my break was. Nancy loved it when I showed her pictures with my family, and she remarked that my brother was very cute. This visit, I spoke a lot about my family and how much I loved spending time with them.

I’ve started reading this really great book - Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande. It’s very relevant to my future dreams of working with older adults.

It’s the beginning of a new year! I’m excited for all this year will bring, especially when it comes to my growing involvement with both National Alzheimer’s Buddies and Harvard College Alzheimer's Buddies.