Defining Moments

When raising children I often reminisce on core moments and wonder what definitive time, event, or activity makes lasting imprints, shapes the way of thinking, and how do those develop into life purpose.

When I was in 4th Grade, my grandparents had a rental house next door to us. I came along later in life, so I felt like an only child with two sets of parents; my parents and my almost grown siblings. We lived out in the country with very few neighbors so when the moving truck pulled up, I ran next door to meet my new best friend, only to find an elderly woman in her 80’s who was frail and lonely. My mom is quite the southern chef. There is always room at her table and for those unable to join, there is tinfoil and a covered plate with myself or my dad as her personal delivery service. Somewhere between the back and forth covered plate runs to Ms. Alma’s, a bond formed that led to afternoon snacks, specifically Funyuns and Diet Coke and eventually into a deep and unlikely friendship.

Ms. Alma came to all of my events, birthday and tea parties included. Having 11 year old friends and your 80 year old friend all together at one event was a funny dynamic but she fit right in.

During elementary school, we had to write Tropicana speeches and that year I wrote about our unlikely friendship which took me to state and I won.

Looking back, I wonder did that friendship leave an imprint on my heart that led to such passion for senior living?

In many ways I feel we owe it to the generation that shaped our future, to build a senior living experience that honors their past, values their present, and makes their tomorrows better.

What moments defined your passions? What memories left an imprint on your heart big enough to create a movement?