Through all the twists and turns in a century of experiences, 100-year-old John has lived his truth: home isn’t one place—it’s the people you love.
It all began in Maysville, Missouri, where John met his future wife, Lola. They were only 12 years old at the time, but Lola became the love of John’s life.
As they grew up and started a family, John and Lola planted their roots in Maysville, surrounded by a tight-knit community that comes with small-town living. When he enlisted in the Army, John’s path took him away to Basic Training in Kansas and then to Virginia, Arkansas, Texas, and North Carolina, where he served during World War II.
After the war, John and Lola planned to return to Maysville to build a life. But when their infant daughter’s health required a dry climate, they packed everything up and moved the family to Colorado practically overnight.
After the war, John and Lola planned to return to Maysville to build a life. But when their infant daughter’s health required a dry climate, they packed everything up and moved the family to Colorado practically overnight.
Together in Colorado, they made a new, happy home. And they took the 700-mile-long journey to Maysville every chance they could to see their loved ones.
Throughout the years, their visits became bittersweet as John endured the losses of his parents and all seven of his siblings. John faced more heartbreak later on when his son passed away, followed by the loss of his beloved Lola, after being her devoted caregiver for several years. Grieving these tremendous losses, John found solace in his daughter Darla and lived with her for three years.
As he aged and his health needs became more complicated, John’s life changed dramatically. He made the necessary but difficult decision to move into a senior living community with more medical support. Darla visits almost daily.
In a new place, and now living with speech and hearing impairments, connections are difficult for John to make. He longed for the feeling of his first home.
When Wish of a Lifetime heard John’s moving story, we knew we wanted to help him experience the feeling of home once again.
On Memorial Day, he and Darla returned to Maysville, a place infused with John’s meaningful memories that he had made over a lifetime.
“For the past few years, I could see my dad slipping each week. He was losing memories and losing energy and movement,” Darla reflected, after the trip. “He came back from this trip rejuvenated, with more energy and more memories than before.”
Walking down the streets of his hometown, John experienced a rush of meaningful memories made over a lifetime with his loved ones. He spent time resting and soaking in the memories while watching folks setting up white crosses in recognition of fallen veterans in preparation for the Maysville Memorial Day celebration.
Sitting in front of City Hall, John was an honored guest, and he was warmly greeted by new and familiar faces, who welcomed him home and thanked him for his service. Surrounded by the warmth of community, he had the chance to meet other veterans and to pay his respects at the crosses bearing his brothers’ names.
At age 100, this visit home was a meaningful experience for John on many levels. But for his family, the positive effects of John’s wish have continued to bring them together.
“While in Maysville, the door to his memories was opened, and it was just meant to be,” Darla said. “Now, when we talk to him, he is more alert. We have more quality time together now.”
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