Older adults in New Orleans and other cities celebrating the world-famous Mardi Gras
or Carnival season often have parties and small parades. Many nursing homes and
senior communities participate in the fun. This happy occasion makes its annual
2014 debut this year on March 4, Kings' Day, and ends on Fat Tuesday, the day
before the Christian season of Lent starts. Street parades attracting thousands
of local residents and curious tourists occur daily. Parades are held during
the day and at night.
Growing
up in New Orleans, I loved this magical season. Mardi Gras parades created
wonderful memories for me. The excitement of swimming in an ocean of festivity,
the buoyancy from living fantastic fantasies thrilled my senses. They connected
me with the same wave of wonderment flowing through every child who ever lived
on this planet.
I
store my New Orleans memories in a marvelous, mental, treasure chest painted
with purple, green and gold brush strokes, the official colors of Mardi Gras.
All grown up, I still smile when I look inside. No doubt, many older adults
will be smiling this coming Mardi Gras and many Mardi Gras seasons to come. The video below features Bethesda Southgate Nursing Home in Missouri.
Upcoming Mardi Gras Dates:
- February 28, 2017
- February 13, 2018
- March 5, 2019
- February 25, 2020
- February 16, 2021
- March 1, 2022
- February 21, 2023
- February 13, 2024
- March 4, 2025
- February 17, 2026
- February 9, 2027
Frances
Shani Parker, Author
Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer
in Urban Nursing Homes is available in paperback and e-book
editions in America and other countries at online and offline booksellers.