One of the most amazing things I have ever done is a project we did in Young Women's when I was about 16 years old. Each girl in my ward was paired up anonymously with an elderly person in our ward. We called ourselves "Secret granddaughters." For the period of a few months we wrote notes, sent small gifts and did secret acts of service for our "Secret Grandparent." Whenever I had something to give my "secret grandpa," I would give it to someone to hand over or leave it on the front porch of his home. Well, then something unusual started happening. My "Secret Grandpa" was starting to give me things back. He would give things to my Young Women leaders to give to me. First, I thought, wait a minute, this isn't the idea, but it became so much fun.
On the evening of our grand unveiling to each other there was a dinner planned at the church. I was really nervous. I already felt as though I knew this man, but not really. One by one we entered the gym in our ward building and we were introduced, in my case, to my "secret grandpa", Brother Molloy.
Before I started this amazing challenge, I knew only this man's name and that he was extremely quiet and often sat in the same place in the chapel. I had never, previous to this, made an attempt to talk to him.
I remember walking up to him and shaking his hand. He came in his best suit and his white hair was combed neatly. If you think that friendships only come to people who are in the same stage of life, you're missing out on wonderful opportunities.
After this introduction, Brother Molloy remembered me at every holiday and occasion. He loved to write about his deceased wife and their dogs and children. 
I have saved some notes that he wrote. I didn't do much, just mostly let him know I was thinking of him. After all, when you're lonely, that's what really matters.
Fast Forward to my Valentine date with Brent when we were dating. Brother Molloy was the other guy that sent flowers that day. (Here it is if you missed it.) We also received a wedding gift from him when we married. Consider this:
"Some of the choicest blessings in life,
have been the close friendships I have experienced."
---Elder Wirthlin
16 comments:
I want a Bro. Molloy. What a choice experience to share. He was so supportive of you and that is a rare thing for a secret grandpa to give back.
Glad you kept the some of the notes too. They will remain treasures. And the quote from Wirthlin is how I feel about you.
I love it when youth form relationships with elderly people. I think they learn a lot. What a neat experience Debie. Yeah, I'm impressed you kept the note. That is amazing. What a neat story to share with your kids when they think "old people" are not cool.
For some reason I was actually thinking about this the other day when you wrote about keepsakes. Its a wonderful story. Did he live near the church? I feel like I remember going there once, but I was like 2, so probably not - maybe on a return visit?
I love this story! You probably meant the world to Brother Molloy and gave him a lot of joy.
I think I'll suggest this to our YWs...
This story was even better than I imagined. What a wonderful experience! Our ward in Virginia did something similar, but it was meant to create a link between YW and Relief Society. They paired up each YW with a Relief Society sister and then assigned them two other secret sisters. They were supposed to get together and do a couple nice things for their secret sisters. This idea got written in my file of "good ideas."
We did this when I was in YW over in Kennewick 14th ward with our Beehives. We had so much fun each month doing something together for them. We moved out in a couple of months before the dinner where the girls and their secret grandparent could meet. I hope that the girls like you had a great expereince and have made lasting friendships. Thanks for sharing this.
What a neat story. You have a real gift for connecting with people- thanks for sharing that with all of us!
wow how sweet..... What a great idea. I think i need to tell Emily's YW leaders about that. We have loys of Elderly members in our ward..
Thanks for sharing it with us......
That's very sweet!
That is a beautiful story. Our Young Women have been doing something similar to that in our ward.
What a sweet experience! It breaks my heart to know there are lonely older people out there. I think they have so much to offer.
I love this story. The way that life can inner twine with these amazing people and have these moments of pure love and joy is a true blessing from God. What a wonderful experience.
Oh wow....I love the fact that he was the one who sent the other flowers!
Our neighbor at our old house is 93 years old and very lonely. His wife is not living and he never had any children. He now lives in a retirement home. Donald and I take the girls to visit him every Sunday after church. It warms my heart to see them with him. Someday they will understand the difference that they made in his life. He absolutely lights up when they are there. And Elisabeth is the first baby that he has ever held! Can you believe that? Holding a baby for the first time after 93 years!?!?! He was kind of intimidated at first, but now he is pretty comfortable with the idea.
Visiting him has been a very rewarding experience. And a good way to teach my children the importance of compassion and love.
We did this when I was in YW too! My secret grandma was so sweet and she never had any kids and treated me like one of her own. It was so special. It is neat to still have the notes and the memories of a sweet friendship.
Oh I love that story. I'm serving in YW and we are looking for service ideas and I think this would be perfect!
That is just awesome. Wow. Thanks for sharing that.
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