There’s no age limit for making dreams come true. Seniors Guide writer Terri Jones shares three ways older adults can satisfy their wishes and desires.
For about a year, I worked for Make-A-Wish, making wishes come true for critically ill children. The joy on these kids’ faces when they received what they’d been longing for was incredible, whether a puppy, swimming pool, vacation, or other cherished dream.
But wishes, dreams and goals don’t die when you reach a certain age. You still have places you long to see, activities you want to try, and people you’d like to meet or with whom you’d like to reconnect. You just might need a helping hand to turn your hopes and dreams into reality.
Three ways of making dreams come true for senior adults
Friends and family
Take 89-year-old Ginny, for example. She traveled from Maryland to New Mexico by train to visit family countless times in her younger years. Because she recalled these trips with such fondness, Ginny dreamed of taking one last train trip before she died, mentioning this possibility to anyone who would listen. Her niece, who also loves the romance and relaxation of train travel, did more than just listen. She decided to make that dream happen for her aunt.
After weighing a handful of places to go, they landed on a trip from Maryland to Richmond, Virginia, where family lived. But the highlight of the trip wasn’t the destination – it was the train trip itself. Once onboard, lulled by the rhythmic clack-clack of the wheels and the steady swaying motion of the car, Ginny was transported back to her youth. She chatted with the conductor when he came by to take their tickets, savored the cuisine (although not as fancy as in her younger days!) and watched the scenery as it whizzed by outside her window. Ginny is already talking about the next trip she wants to take!
Organizations with a mission
There are also nonprofits whose sole mission is to fulfill the wishes of older people. Bobbi, whose dream was to drive a race car, is one of them. Growing up in the ’50s, she’d always been told that women don’t drive race cars, so she resigned herself to sitting on the sidelines. But the need for speed lingered. Finally, at 83, Bobbi had her dream fulfilled by Wish of a Lifetime®, a charitable affiliate of AARP. Sporting a helmet and custom racing suit, the daring octogenarian was able to get behind the wheel of a bona fide race car and fly around a NASCAR track with her family and friends cheering her on!
“I made it!” Bobbi exclaimed as she crossed the finish line. “Just the sound of this motor and being behind this wheel! You step on the brake, and you hear it slowing, and you step on the gas, and hear roarrrrr – I tell you!”
Another organization, Dream On Seniors’ Wish Foundation, gave 69-year-old Gary, who had tape-recorded interviews with jazz musicians for decades, the equipment to digitize these recordings. His dream was to make the interviews, which were so special to him personally, available to others who might be interested in listening. “Thinking about it now,” Gary said, “it’s a treasure.”
Some wishes are simpler – but just as exciting for the recipient – like Kaye’s wish to visit the zoo again. For her “80-something” birthday, Senior Wishes took Kaye to the Buffalo Zoo where she was able to pet a chinchilla, compare the size of her hands to the size of a gorilla’s, and pose with a polar bear (preserved behind glass).
DIY for making dreams come true
You can be your own wish-fulfilling sponsor. Some wishes can be expensive or simply difficult to make happen and you may need a little help. However, for those goals that are within your reach, try taking matters into your own hands!
Maybe you’ve always wanted to visit the Grand Canyon or Costa Rica but don’t know where to begin. Find a tour group that can do the homework for you, or plan a multigenerational trip with the family. Have you always wanted to ride a hot air balloon or see a coral reef up close? Do some Google searching to explore your options. Want to learn to play an instrument or speak a foreign language? Sign up for a class in person or online. If you’re hoping to get back into a hobby like sewing, tennis, or fishing, check out YouTube videos to refresh your skills or find a friend or neighbor who can help you get restarted.
“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them,” said Walt Disney, whose creations have been responsible for making dreams come true. Keep striving and it can happen for you, too!
