Loveable Ladies share the meaning of Christmas

Submitted by Meg Dickens

The Johnson County Senior Center hosted its Loveable Ladies Christmas Tea on Wednesday, December 1. Here the group ate, drank tea, and made merry to the sounds of piano accompaniment by Sherry Tester and an eventual bout of Christmas caroling that broke out at the end of the event.  Attendees showed up full of Christmas spirit, many wearing Christmas colors or even themed sweaters.

This event and the group it was held for truly represent the feeling of Christmas as a whole. For those who do not know, the Loveable Ladies is a group of women who are either single or widowed who form a community of support. The group came together early into Director Kathy Mostinger's time at the center and is led by this month's Volunteer of the Month Pat Steinke.

"It was the first group that I saw that needed to be cherished more," Motsinger told the attendees. "We just want you to know that you are not alone. You have a purpose here."
During the event, guest speaker Evelyn Cooke took to the stage to tell about her favorite Christmas memory: the year she learned to give. Those who know Cooke know she's traveled around the globe and had Christmas in many exotic places. Her favorite Christmas was right here in Johnson County, in Shady Valley, to be exact. It was reportedly also the year she found out that everything was not perfect in the world. As Cooke explained, she realized that not everyone had the advantages she had after learning the meaning of the word crippled at age six after meeting a child who suffered from Polio.

Cooke explained that this was also the year they shared Christmas with six of her cousins. She recalls the joy of seeing them open their presents although she does not remember a single gift she received herself. 

"Christmas, to this day, is all about sharing," Cooke said in closing. "I don't care what I get. What I give is what matters most."

The Johnson County Senior Center is a nonprofit center that serves seniors ages 60 and older. For more information, visit johnsoncountyseniorcenter.com or check it out on social media.