Mary Maxwell's Invocation Speech

Introduction

• Mary Maxwell is introduced as a new client of Home Instead and a former neighbor of Laurie and Paul Hogan.
• She is invited to deliver the invocation at the event, expressing honor to be chosen for this role.

Invocation and Prayer

• Mary begins with a prayer:
  • Asks for God's blessing on the Home Instead family, including management, staff, caregivers, and clients.
  • Expresses gratitude for everyone's contribution to the mission of Home Instead.
  • Blessing over the food to be received.

Humorous Personal Introduction

• Mary uses humor to introduce herself:
  • Shares her age (72) and weight (145 lbs) to address common questions politely avoided.
  • Discusses the challenges of aging with humor:
    • Random hair growth.
    • Forgetfulness, like leaving the turn signal on all day.
    • Non-life-threatening skin growths named after pets/relatives.
    • Neck tissue changes.
    • Humorous incidents:
      • Ordering food from a curbside mailbox.
      • Accidentally putting a bill in the church collection.
      • Mistakenly getting into the Archbishop's car.
      • Driving into the wrong end of a carwash.
      • Wearing mismatched earrings.
      • Trying to jog while holding a wine glass.

Poem on Understanding Seniors

• Quotes a poem highlighting kindness and understanding towards seniors:
  • Understanding faltering steps and shaking hands.
  • Being patient with hearing difficulties.
  • Recognizing slow wits and dim eyesight.
  • Looking away from minor spills.
  • Engaging with cheery smiles and conversations.
  • Helping recall past memories.
  • Making seniors feel loved and not alone.

Conclusion

• Emphasizes Home Instead's personalized care and understanding of seniors.
• Ends with a humorous prayer request to find her car in the parking lot at the end of the evening.
• Receives a warm response and applause from the audience.