Wish Stories

Mary, 84, from Brookdale Riverwalk, moved to Hollywood when she was only 5 years old. Mary was a child prodigy who played the piano. As a child, Mary played several roles in a variety of Hollywood films. Mary left her acting career behind her 9 years after moving to...

As the NFL Colts were suiting up to take the field at the Lucas Oil Stadium against the Texans, Carolyn was putting on her favorite jersey- #12 Mr. Andrew Luck. Carolyn, 83, has always dreamed of attending an Indianapolis Colts game because she is a diehard Colts fan,...

California dreams beckon many of us and seventy-two year old Virginia, a resident of Pittsburgh, PA is no exception. Virginia is a kindhearted, enthusiastic older adult who has felt the allure of California for years. She has dreamed of visiting and experiencing, for...

Phil, 94, of Brookdale Oklahoma City West, is the epitome of a basketball fan. He makes sure to watch games whenever they are on television, and has been known to play under any conditions, even barefoot. He considers himself to be an OKC Thunder fanatic, but he has...

90-year-old Sam utilizes his considerable baking skills for more than creating delicious treats. Ever since he mastered his lemon pound cake recipe, Sam has used his scrumptious baked goods to bring joy to others. Sam's Wish was to bake his delicious lemon pound cake...

Joy Smith, 79, is extraordinarily resilient. She and her siblings grew up in a children’s home after they were separated from their parents and while her childhood was difficult, she considers her upbringing to have been a “blessing.” Joy views the children’s home as...

Deborah is a youthful 67-year-old with a zest for life and a passion for the ocean. She has not seen the ocean in twenty-five years, but her recent health struggles have reignited her desire to be by the sea. In February of 2015, Deborah was diagnosed with cancer....

Irving, 90, of Rancho Mirage, CA, is a warm hearted, gentle spirit with a passion for flying helicopters. When Irving was young, he served in the United States Navy from 1943-1946 beginning when he was 18 years old. He was stationed on an air carrier and had the...

Cleota Lenert went up, up, and away when her lifelong dream of a hot air balloon ride was realized. Cleota is a lovely 91-year-old resident of Horizon Bay, a Brookdale community located in Graham, Texas. Cleota's Wish to soar above Texas in a beautiful, peaceful hot...

Randy, 82, has long dreamt of flying in a hot air balloon. When her younger brother passed away from a work injury, she and her older brother, George, found solace by watching the hot air balloons float through the California sky. Since that time, nearly 20 years ago,...

Dorothy has always had a need for speed. Since the age of 15, she would spend her free time watching NASCAR races, dreaming of one day having the opportunity to drive an Indy car. Now, at the age of 82, Dorothy is finally seeing her dream come to fruition, as her wish...

It was a “pitcher” perfect day. As the crowd looked on, Louise stepped up to the mound and readied herself. It was the culmination of a life long love of baseball and the extra arm exercises during morning work outs. After 100 years of anticipation, Louise finally got...

Who says you can’t go home again? Certainly not Gini Tolley. Gini, 84, of Larkspur, Colorado spent most of her life in the Midwest. She has wonderful memories of growing up in Arlington, Wisconsin and fun filled memories of becoming an adult in Chicago, Illinois....

Ford grew up an orphan on the streets of Duluth, Minnesota. He’s an 83 year old Korean War Veteran, a loving father, and a die-hard Vikings Football fan. Ford’s incredible sacrifice for our country is characterized by the letter of commendation he received for his...

Ruth, 80, of Petersburg, West Virginia is a loving older adult with a strong faith and love for life. Ruth has never seen the ocean or been to the beach before. Ruth’s Wish of a Lifetime is to visit the ocean and enjoy time on the beach with her family. Ruth grew up...