For Ellen W., 85, of Sterling House in Wichita Falls, TX, family picnics are a long-standing family tradition. Almost every year for the past 35 years, Ellen and her family have taken a family trip to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Oklahoma, to camp and host their annual family picnic. Chickasaw is the first national in the state featuring gorgeous springs, streams, and lakes.
Over the past few years, due to significant obstacles that Ellen has faced, the tradition has dwindled. It was almost 3 years since Ellen’s entire family came together for this event, and her Wish of a Lifetime was to once more share this special experience with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. There were a few of her grandchildren and great grandchildren who had never been before, and she longed to share this experience with them.
On Saturday, June 21, 2014, thanks to Wish of a Lifetime and Brookdale, Ellen’s Wish became a reality. She was joined by 21 family members at a nice campground in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area, where they reminisced of old times, told jokes and stories, shared good food, and enjoyed each other’s company. Ellen said, “it couldn’t have been nicer.” Present amongst Ellen’s 21 family members, were her four children, grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.
