Elders and staff embrace the beauty of change at St. Ann’s Community

Elders, their families, and St. Ann’s staff gathered this week to release butterflies in recognition of the challenging 15 months brought on by the pandemic. The release represented the transformative beauty and strength of the members of St. Ann’s Community, including the loved ones they had to say goodbye to.

Participants shared experiences and discussed how the last year has shaped them. “The transformation I have witnessed in all of our elders has been just amazing… their resilience,” said Sue Murty, Vice President and Administrator at St. Ann’s. “They taught us how to persevere. During those challenging times, we had each other.”

St. Ann’s Music Therapist played soothing music in the background, while 50 monarch butterflies peacefully fluttered about, symbolic to each individual in their own unique way. “Caterpillars undergo change to become butterflies – like the caterpillar, we are not the same people we were prior to the pandemic,” said Sr. Mary Lou Mitchell, Director of Pastoral Care.

As dust from the last 15 months begins to settle, St. Ann’s community marches forward, as strong as ever. The miracle of it all is that, amongst hardship, they were able to find moments of joy, happiness, and beauty.

Once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive… But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.

-Haruki Murakami