Wish Stories
We’ve granted over 3,300 wishes
Betty Dances her way to the Ellen Show
Betty Wilson, 83, loves to dance. At Brookdale Champions, her infectious dance moves inspire other older adult residents and community associates to dance with her. Betty is often seen dancing right alongside her favorite talk show host and fellow dance fanatic, Ellen...
Ellen, 86, Meets her Idol, Willie Nelson
Ellen, 86, is a remarkable woman with a lifelong commitment to helping others. She was an advocate for desegregation of schools in Montgomery in the 1960’s, eventually being appointed by a judge to serve on a biracial committee that monitored schools for integration....
Veteran Spring Trip to Washington D.C. 2016
On May 12, 2016, Wish of a Lifetime sent 8 veterans and a gold-star wife to Washington, D.C. to see the nation's war memorials for the first time. Veterans from the Vietnam War, Korean War, and World War II were all represented. The trip was absolutely incredible and,...
50 Years Later, Lyndall Experiences the Opera Again
Lyndall, 79, often dreams of the days she lived Germany. She has fond memories of working for the Red Cross and attending operas in her spare time. "It was only $2," she recalled. To her, operas are exciting because they incorporate many of the elements of spoken...
One Final Sister Weekend in Black Hawk, CO
Linda, 68, has always put her family first and was especially dedicated to her husband. Unfortunately, her husband passed away in 2013 but Linda has fond memories of spending time with him while gambling. Linda’s husband always wanted to go to Black Hawk, but was not...
Robert Visits Washington D.C.
Richard, “Robbie,” served in the United States Navy for 25 years. Robbie joined the Navy in September 1937 at the cusp of WWII. He graduated with almost 40 others in his class at Pensacola; however, he was the only member of his graduating class to survive WWII....
Sue Gazes At Thunder Over Louisville
Sue, 77, of Brookdale Blankenbaker in Louisville, Kentucky is an outgoing, happy lady with a love for new adventures. Her dream was to view the Thunder Over Louisville event from the Galt House Hotel. This event consists of an air show followed by a fireworks show. To...
Josephine Reconnects With Former Student, Tony La Russa
A casual conversation between two Brookdale Tuskawilla residents sparked an unexpected Wish of a Lifetime. Shortly after moving to Brookdale, Josephine, 95, befriended a man named Charlie. Charlie is an avid baseball fan who collects baseball cards. One day, Charlie...
96-year-old Pilot Jack Flies in a Fighter Jet
After 30 years of Marine + Army Air Corps service and thousands of hours in the air, Master Pilot Jack’s dream was to fly in a Fighter Jet!
Archie Comics Welcomes its Newest Character, Alberta
We live in an era where digital outlets seem to dominate many facets of modern life. When information and entertainment are readily available with just a click of a button, more traditional forms of communication have begun to die out. Alberta, 90, grew up in an era...
Thomas Attends his First Oklahoma City Thunder Game
Sometimes it’s the simplest wishes that have the greatest impact. Thomas, 71, has lived in Oklahoma for his entire life. A proud and devoted fan of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Thomas loves how hard the team plays and feels they represent his city well. He never misses...
Ellen Shares a Special Reunion with her Son Mike
When Ellen was asked how old she was, she quipped, “I am just over the hill or you can say that I am a recycled teenager!” Nearly 100 years old, Ellen exudes positivity and her appreciation for life inspires all those around her. This feisty woman only stopped driving...
Allorah Takes Daughters To Trinity Atomic Site
Jo's world was turned upside down when her husband returned from serving in the United States Army on, “The Manhattan Project,” at the Trinity Atomic Bomb Site in New Mexico. When her husband departed for this mission, he was unaware as to the assignment that he would...
Peggy Revisits her Favorite City
When Peggy was asked what she misses most about her former town of Biloxi, Mississippi she stated, “The smell of the ocean, walking on the edge of the water and looking down, and walking on the pier. I think about it every night before I go to bed.” Peggy lived in...
Elsie Carver, 91, Reunites with Sisters After a Decade
Elsie Carver, age 91, is one of the friendliest women you could ever meet. She grew up in a small mining-town in western Colorado called Peonia. “I had a beautiful childhood even though we were poor,” Elsie remarked. She said everyone around her was a “depression...
