Wish Stories
We’ve granted over 3,300 wishes
Paula Attends her 50th Nursing School Reunion
Paula, 72, of Brookdale Santa Fe in New Mexico, has had a long and accomplished career as a nurse. In high school she volunteered with infant care, and this was when she first realized that she wanted to be a nurse. She went to nursing school upon completing high...
Lavinia Goes to Gatlinburg, TN with Family
Nothing makes Lavinia, 78, of Statesboro, Tennessee, feel more at peace than a breathtaking mountain landscape. The Great Smoky Mountain Range, visible from Gatlinburg, Tennessee—a place Lavinia and her family visited annually throughout her youth—is the one place she...
Sherry Reunites with her Mother after 20 years
Sherry, 74, and her mother Elma, 94, had a very special wish in common: they both longed to see each other after 20 long years apart. Sherry lives in a Brookdale community in Orlando, Florida and Elma resides in her home in Jamestown, Pennsylvania, over 1000 miles...
Chuck Attends the Reno Air Races
Chuck, 80, from Brookdale San Marcos North in San Marcos, Texas, was an aerospace engineer with Douglas, Boeing, McDonald, Rohr and Lockheed Martin. Working in the aerospace industry, Chuck learned and read about the Reno Air Races for many years. After his time in...
Gary Goes to Muscle Car Show
75 year-old Gary never really thought a car was just supposed to get you from point A to point B. He has always had the philosophy that while a car should get you from point A to point B, it should also look good and be fast. Gary has always loved cars. The first car...
Keith goes to a UW Badgers Football Game
Keith, 71, of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, has always loved football. In high school, he was the quarterback of the football team and his wife (girlfriend at the time) was a cheerleader. “Football was their life,” according to his daughter, Laurie. Born and raised in the...
Kathleen has a recognition ceremony
According to those that know her, “Helping others is just what Kathleen does.” Kathleen, 91, of Brookdale Sun City West Sandridge, strongly believes in charity and giving. Throughout her life, she has volunteered for numerous causes, such as fundraising for a...
Bev flies in a hot air balloon at the Great Reno Balloon Races
Bev, 85, of Brookdale Sparks, is the type of woman who “never gives up on enjoying life.” Bev was one of the first female bus drivers in Santa Cruz, CA, and her passengers always enjoyed riding on her routes. Bev loves anything that has to do with...
Rose meets a Green Bay Packers Player
According to those that know her, 99-year-old Rose of Oshkosh, WI is a “Packers nut” and the “ultimate Packers fan.” Being a Wisconsin native and living there all of her life, Rose has supported the Green Bay Packers for as long as she can remember. For her 90th...
George Goes Deep Sea Fishing
George, 90, of Walnut, CA, has a passion for fishing. His love of the sport comes from his parents, who went fishing every morning for many years. Once he had children, George took them all fishing to instill in the same interest in them. Over the years, George has...
Blayne Reminisces With Other Vets
97-year-old Blayne is an inspirational veteran who served our country selflessly during WWII and the Korean War. He grew up in Oklahoma and found tremendous value and promise in being a part of the United States Armed Forces. Blayne values and cherishes his past in...
Frances flies again
Frances, 87, from Marquis Springfield in Springfield, Oregon, was an avid pilot. As a pilot, Frances would often fly Cessna 205s to transport ill and injured people from one state to another for medical care. At age 42, she was unable to pass the pilot's medical...
Scotty Rides in a Hot Air Balloon
Former meteorologist Scotty takes her first hot air balloon ride to fulfill her wish after many years of devoting herself to others.
Barbara Goes to Disney World with Family
“If I could feel like a kid again, even if just for a moment...” said Barbara (67) of Phillipsburg, NJ, explaining why going to Disney World was her wish of a lifetime. Barbara is currently living with Alzheimer's, which can make it difficult for her to recall...
Millie visits the Ocean with her Daughter
Millie, a 91-year-old great-grandmother, is described by her daughter as having “...an amazing talent for being happy and joyful all of the time.” Music always played a huge part in Millie’s life, as she was in the Glee Club in high school and has been a part of many...
