Rev. Donna Vande Kieft
The Virtues Connections group, a Robson Ranch group that meets regularly, led by Betsy Lydle Smith, Master Virtues Facilitator extraordinaire, defines the “Service” virtue in this way: “Using our gifts to be of service is the fullest expression of our lives. Each day we find a multitude of ways to be useful. Whatever we may achieve, the quality of our own life comes from the quality of our contribution. First and foremost we serve our loved ones. A spirit of service invests whatever we do with excellence. People who want to be of service can change the world.”—The Virtues ProjectTM
The Rev. Martin Luther King said, “Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve … you only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
Most of us here at RR are retired and trying to live our best life in a great resort community with lots of options and activities available every day. We have served family and loved ones and have retired our service careers to seek the good life.
That is what retirement is about. For many of us there is a longing and desire to do more than have fun. We want purpose and meaning to guide our lives and whatever is left of them in this beautiful place.
As a chaplain, not yet ready to retire when my husband needed my full time attention and assistance, I was resentful and thought it not fair for either of us. I saw him through to the end of his life here in 2022 and realized that all my “preaching” to hospice caregivers about their service in caregiving being the hardest and highest calling one could ever respond to had become our reality. Receiving care is even harder than giving care.
Bill loved kids and his plan was to volunteer with kids in an elementary school when he retired. He did not get that opportunity, so when he was in his end-of-life process, I signed up with AARP to become a reading tutor for second and third graders. AARP has conducted in-depth research showing that kids who are unable to read at the level they should be at by completion of third grade are going to struggle and may not even complete high school. Learning to read is the ultimate gift for every student.
Bill was the kid person in our duo My preference is peace and quiet. I now see that volunteering with 2nd and 3rd graders was the antidote for grief and depression that God had in store for me after Bill died. I continue to volunteer with AARP and also with the Toltec School District in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade classrooms.
Volunteering has brought me great joy, motivation, and purpose. I love being with the kids and teachers. Whatever you feel passionate about, there are opportunities to volunteer. The gift of service makes life a rich, full, and meaningful experience, especially in retirement.
For more about the Virtues group or tutoring kids, contact Donna at 425–423-9571.