Initially our class was not told what the plan was at Lakeside, I just knew that it was to spend time with the elders.  When we got there people greeted us with musical instruments that we were to use while engaging in a tribal ceremony, to celebrate the Native American heritage.  Each of us went to go and get one elder and bring them to join in the festivities.  I chose to go to the alzheimer's unit for various reasons but one was that my flanc6 aunt just passed from alzheimer's.  A group of us went up to the third floor to the alzheimer's unit-, open the door and immediately we were greeted by many people in wheel chairs with big smiles.  They seemed so happy to see us and they jumped at the chance to engage in this occasion whether or not they knew what we where doing.  So we all headed down stairs,
During the ceremony, I looked around the circle from which our bodies formed and saw many smiles, I heard laughter, I heard instruments playing, and I saw dancing.  At that moment, I thought to my self that life is to short.  Each day passes so fast, and in each day we miss out on so much that life has to offer.  We are force to live in a society that moves to fast for us to actually sit back and enjoy.  We are growing up to fast, becoming too serious, and forgetting how to have fun.  We are tired, we are always busy with school or work, we are consumed with bad news, of wars, rapes and mistreatment of others, and from all this our perception of the world around us has become tainted with negativity.
As I sat there surrounded by my elders, some were alert and could can-y on a conversation, and others didn't know where they were, but the one thing that they all remembered was how to experience laughter and joy, to let out there inner child and just live, live life to the extent at which they were capable.  They released all inhibitions and they were just themselves.  It was as though they retumed to a time of adolescence.  A time where we weren't consumed with fear and negativity for many of us and we just wanted to have fun.

Even in the short time that we were at Lakeside I felt that we brought joy into the hearts of those whose lives will soon end.  I saw their eyes light up when new face entered the building and to me seeing that made me feel good as well.  I personally can't wait to reach an age that my fears will leave me and I will have time to enjoy the little things like I loved so much when I was young.  Until then I guess the only thing I can do is to take time out of my hectic schedule to experience my inner child, like I did when I was at Lakeside.