Texas vacation is once-in-a-lifetime trip for Hope residents
With help from team members at Hope Residence where he lives, Jim finally got to see Texas last fall after many years of dreaming. Planning for the trip started as a way to help Jim through surgery and recovery earlier in the year.
“Jim has cowboy boots and a hat and has been interested in going to Texas for a long time,” said Hope Residence Program Manager Rhonda Walsh. “I thought that when Jim faced his serious surgery, maybe this would take his mind off it a little bit, give him something positive to focus on and help motivate him in his recovery.”
Rhonda and Deb Wirt, Hope Residence Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator, made the days-long drive with Jim and Gloria, another Hope resident. They left on a Tuesday morning, stopping to snap photos as they crossed state lines and counting license plates to pass the time; they spotted cars from 25 states along the way. Sunny, warm weather welcomed the foursome in San Antonio where they rode a horse-drawn buggy and ate lunch on San Antonio river walk while being serenaded by a friendly group of musicians.
“We spent time at the Alamo, enjoying its rich history,” Deb said. “We went to Hemisfair Park — built to host the 1968 Worlds Fair — and the 750-foot-tall Tower of the Americas, which was very windy but fun.”
They also visited Ripley’s Believe It or Not museum and lunched at the famous Buckhorn Museum. The Buckhorn Museum features wildlife from all over the world, including fish from the seven seas, animals from every continent and strange animal oddities collected over 100 years. It boasts more than 520 species of wildlife, many of which are record holders.
“This is the highlight of my life, pal. I am on top of the world,” Jim told Rhonda during the trip. “I didn’t think this was really going to happen; thanks for bringing me.”
“It was so much fun; I don’t have a favorite thing we did. I enjoyed it all,” Gloria shared.
Even after 24 hours in the car, Gloria and Jim said they would go back in a heartbeat. While Rhonda was prepared to take Jim on her own just to make his dream vacation come true, she’s grateful for the support of The Lutheran Home Association in making the trip.
“The generosity of our donors allowed us to give Jim and Gloria the opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation,” Rhonda said.
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