We’ve been living our new ‘COVID normal” for the past few weeks. Comparing life today vs. before this pandemic started over five months ago is certainly interesting. It has been a long five months. For our residents and loved ones, we know it has been challenging. It has been too long since we have had visitors, too long since we worshiped together, too long since we have had fellowship over a meal. We eagerly wait for the time when we can be together again.
Though this has been a time of waiting, that is not to say Resthaven has stopped planning for the future and strategizing about how best to serve our residents and the Holland Community for years to come. We have continued to market The Farmstead, our planned new independent living and assisted living development on 24th St. near Waverly. We have launched The River Place, which will be located at 9th and River, another independent living community in downtown Holland. Both of these new communities will strengthen our mission to continue to serve Holland seniors. Inside our walls we have found ways to recognize the positives that have come despite or even because of COVID. There has been more 1:1 time spent by our staff with the residents. There has been a deepening of relationships both among staff members and with residents. I emailed our staff an update recently and commented on how well our residents are doing throughout this pandemic, all things considered, because of their extra efforts. I wrote, “Agility. Flexibility. Endurance. Innovation. Responsibility. Determination. All of this has helped us be successful in each of our programs. Not every team can claim that. Not every team has been willing to do that. That’s the Resthaven Way. It’s evident in each program and each discipline.” I am very grateful to the Resthaven staff who have persevered through this pandemic to continue to live out our mission.
Our chaplain, Leigh Van Kempen has been sharing Words of Encouragement during this pandemic period. In one of her recent reflections she wrote about waiting and how challenging it can be. As we wait to see what this next phase of COVID looks like and what restrictions will remain and which will be lifted, I found her words encouraging. She wrote “We’re not certain how our COVID-waiting will conclude. But we can be certain that it will, because we follow a God of hope, and grace, and goodness, who reaches us, even in the depths.” Amen to that.
DEEDRE VRIESMAN, PRESIDENT & CEO