Wish Stories

We’ve granted over 3,300 wishes

Margarita Takes Cello Lessons

Margarita’s passion for music was reignited as she learned to play the cello for the first time in her retirement. Read her story now.

Alfredo Visits the Statue of Liberty

Fulfilling Lifelong Dreams

Thanks to Wish of a Lifetime from AARP, Alfredo’s lifelong dream to visit the Statue of Liberty comes true, after immigrating to the U.S. decades before. Read his story now.

Vince Becomes a Major League Baseball Bat Boy

Fulfilling Lifelong Dreams

A passionate lifelong baseball fan, Vince got to realize his childhood dream of becoming a bat boy for a Major League Baseball team—the Washington Nationals—thanks to Wish of a Lifetime® from AARP. Read his story now.

Luis Visits His Daughter in Hawaii for the First Time

Reconnecting Loved Ones

Luis got the chance to visit Hawaii for the first time and see his daughter after many years, despite battling kidney failure. Read his story now.

Mermaid Performers Swim Together after Nearly 50 Years

Renewing & Celebrating Passions

Thanks to Wish of a Lifetime from AARP, five women swim together in Weeki Wachee Springs to recapture their days as mermaid performers. Read their story now.

Peri Meets her German Pen Pal after 50 Years

Reconnecting Loved Ones

Peri from Seattle meets her German pen pal Jurgen after 50 years of correspondence, thanks to Wish of a Lifetime® from AARP. Read her story now.

Judith Goes to a New York Yankees Game

Renewing & Celebrating Passions

Judith dreamed of going to a New York Yankees game after being diagnosed with ALS. Wish of a Lifetime® from AARP made it happen.

Diane finds inspiration at the California Academy of Sciences

Renewing & Celebrating Passions

Thanks to Wish of a Lifetime from AARP, Diane, born with developmental disabilities, shares a day at the California Academy of Sciences with her friend to gather art inspiration from the animals there. Read her story now.

Navy Veteran Billy Visits Washington, D.C.

Commemorating Service

Billy visits Washington DC for the first time to honor his family’s military legacy, thanks to Wish of a Lifetime® from AARP.

Mariko Connects with her Community at a Live Performance

Renewing & Celebrating Passions

Mariko sings her original songs live on stage after not performing for more than a decade, thanks to Wish of a Lifetime from AARP. Read her story now.

Billy Sees his Daughter for the First Time in more than 25 Years

Reconnecting Loved Ones

Thanks to Wish of a Lifetime from AARP, Billy got to visit his long-lost daughter in Nevada and reconnect with her after more than 25 years. Read his story now.