The final Wellness Wednesdays’ monthly women’s support group of the year was all about fellowship, gratefulness, and recalling experiences and expressions from long ago that have since become tiny moments of joy.
Program director Alexis Harvey of the SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic opened the session with an icebreaker that had the two-dozen plus seniors in attendance bubbling with laughter.
“When you were a kid playing outside and got thirsty, what would you drink from?’’ she asked.
“The water hose!’’ they all replied.
“When you woke up on a Saturday and heard Gospel music playing, what would you do?’’
“Clean the house!’’
“Finish this phrase,’’ taunted Harvey, “I’m sick and tired. . . ‘’
“Of being sick and tired!’’
When she asked the participants to chime in with other phrases they recalled from their youth, there was no shortage of answers: “I brought you into this world, I can take you out!’’ “You don’t live in no barn, close the door!’’ “Don’t touch nothin’, don’t ask for nothin’!’’
For Harvey, the goal of the session was to end the year with a smile — especially since Wellness Wednesdays doesn’t resume until Jan. 15, 2025. The final 20 minutes was dedicated to singing Christmas carols and other holiday songs before the women went “shopping’’ for produce and other items for next week’s Thanksgiving meal.
“It’s been a good year for the group,’’ Harvey said.
When asked what she’s grateful for, she said: “I’m grateful for my family because right now it’s the closest we’ve ever been, me and my siblings. And I still have both of my parents, and I’m really grateful for that!’’
