Stanley ( Mr. Stanley as we call him) is one of Communityworx’s oldest and dearest members for many years. We were honored to help him celebrate his 80th birthday on March 12th! Mr. Stanley started coming to Hopeworx as a way to be able to still be part of the community and not feel isolated in his home with his aide.
From day one he stole our hearts with his gentle, quiet nature and amazing smile. As he began to be more comfortable, we found that not only does he love stringing beautiful bead sets but when he does speak he can say some of the funniest things! He joins us each year when we have a community bowling outing and I remember one time when I stopped at his home to pick him up he said “ Ohh today's our date LOL?” Then he just hopped in the car and basically almost kicked our butts in bowling ( none of us were very good but hey we all had fun). The sheer enjoyment he showed in those bowling trips and when at Hopeworx is one of the reasons why I myself love Hopeworx/Communityworx. It really is a community in itself and a diverse one at that! I love that even our more mature community members have found a place to come and just be who they are and enjoy the company of people of all ages and cultures.
Mr Stanley loves that he can be somewhere other than his home with his aide. His aide even said one day when she walked him in “ Hey this place is great can I come in with you sometimes and hang out?” Mr Stanley politely replied with “ No this is my place where I can do what I want.” That is the most wonderful statement I had heard. Of course besides the day I was driving him home and for some reason I lost track of where I was going and turned the wrong way. After a moment I looked at Mr Stanley and said “ why didn’t you tell me I went the wrong way?” He smirked and replied with “ Because I’m always up for a road trip .” We laughed the whole way back to his home.
Happy 80th Birthday Mr. Stanley!! It has truly been an honor to have met you!
