SunnyDay Adult Day Health Care Is My Warm Home
A friend introduced me to SunnyDay, and I have now been coming here for two years. Looking back on my days at SunnyDay, coming here feels like returning home. I have no worries and nothing weighing on my mind. In this large family, I study English, receive rehabilitation therapy, and take part in singing and dancing, rediscovering the spirit of my younger years. Whenever I have difficulty understanding letters written in English, the social workers warmly help me and resolve the matter promptly. I am very happy that I no longer have these concerns.
At SunnyDay, I have also learned how to be a performer. What kind of performer? I mean performing in our annual Halloween costume party. At first, I did not understand what a costume party was. Ms. Liu Chunhui explained it to me, and then I understood, although I still worried that people might laugh at me. Ms. Liu said, “Don’t be afraid. If people laugh, that means it is fun. You can dress as anything you like. I guarantee that after taking part this year, you will want to join again next year!” She was right. At the 2002 Halloween costume party, I portrayed a character who had come from Tibet, China, to protect the United States from terrorist attacks. Ms. Liu gave me the wonderful title “Ambassador of Peace.” When I went onstage, I was too nervous to look at the audience. Nevertheless, I won a prize, which gave me tremendous encouragement.
After the costume party, Ms. Liu said to everyone, “You should begin thinking now about what you will be at next year’s Halloween costume party.” I decided that the following year I would portray Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. I searched newspapers and magazines for information, saving photographs of the Queen and reports of her speeches as firsthand material for my performance. I entered the 2003 Halloween costume party as Queen Elizabeth II. Drawing on my research and imagination, I brought her character to life. Later, Ms. Ma, one of the nurses, told me, “You spoke very well. It was very interesting!”
When I entered the hall, two friends from Taiwan and another friend from Beijing smiled and said to me one after another, “We did not know it was you during the costume party. We only recognized you after you removed your mask. You portrayed her beautifully, and you spoke very well.” Hearing their praise, I thought to myself: I had succeeded as a performer in the costume party.
Here, I can try things I had never done before. The costume party has found a special place in the hearts of our older friends. Grandpa Wu and Grandma Liang took part even at their advanced ages. Mr. and Mrs. Zheng portrayed many different characters and gave wonderful performances. I believe the costume party is a delightful form of creative self-expression and shared entertainment. The performers are happy, the audience is happy—everyone is happy! Happy! Happy! In short, SunnyDay Adult Day Health Care is my warm home. At SunnyDay, my life is colorful, warm and joyful. I wish SunnyDay Adult Day Health Care an even brighter tomorrow.
Note: I do not know the names of the three friends mentioned above, but I thank them!