"Grace Filled Dreams"

Grace Filled Dreams….. Everyone at Grace Care Cypress was very excited as we secretly prepared for our first "Grace Filled Dreams". We planned an elaborate birthday surprise for resident Bonnie Windham. Bonnie was our first resident at Grace Cypress when it opened in 2009 and she was turning 100 years old this year. It only seemed fitting for her to be our first "Grace Filled Dreams" recipient. "Grace Filled Dreams" is a new program at Grace Care Centers which gives residents a chance to fulfill a dream or relive one. Bonnie shared with our staff that one day she would love to go shopping again and eat lunch at Neiman Marcus. Neimans was very special to Bonnie. She began working at Neiman Marcus in Dallas during a Christmas holiday season and she loved it so much she stayed for over 30 years. She loves sharing stories with the staff at Grace Cypress about her career at Neman Marcus. As everyone was busy planning Bonnie's surprise we were all focused on what would make her happy! We made sure every detail was covered so that she would look and feel beautiful on her special day and that she would arrive in style at Neiman Marcus in a beautiful white limousine. On her big day everything played out just as we had planned complete with nails polished and a beautiful new outfit! When we surprised her with the details of her special outing she exclaimed, "Somebody please wake me up", she said, "I must be dreaming". We all laughed at her humor. She was presented a certificate from Neiman Marcus for lunch for herself and three friends. She was so surprised when she saw her transportation, a beautiful limousine. Bonnie was accompanied on her shopping trip by her dear hairdresser friend at Grace Cypress, Diane O'Connor, her aid, Kathy Van Zandt, and Grace Care Cypress Community Liaison, Donna Martin. During the ride she shared that her trip was a "breath of fresh air". Bonnie loved every moment of her shopping trip and lunch. She was so gracious and thanked everyone along the way for their kindnesses to her. Her "Grace Filled Dreams" began as a special surprise for her but along the way it made a difference in many lives. Many hearts were touched by her and the generosity of those that made her trip happen! When we arrived back at Grace Cypress at the end of the trip, just when we thought things couldn't get any better, there was one more surprise. We offered the limo driver, Donald, a tip but he refused and told us to look at the card he gave Bonnie. He not only gave her a birthday card but also a bouquet of flowers. When she opened the card there was a two dollar bill and a beautiful hand stitched cross with a beautiful poem inside that his 80 year old mother had made. There wasn't a dry eye around as everyone felt his love and generosity for our very special Bonnie Windham. Not only was this shopping trip a breath of fresh air to Bonnie but Elizabeth Harris, shared that our "Grace Filled Dreams" experience was a "breath of fresh air" to everyone at Grace Cypress! For more details about Grace Filled Dreams please contact Donna Martin at dmartin@hmshealthcare.com.