Sometimes our Dreamers are mysterious. When seniors have memory problems and no loved ones around to advocate for them, we are forced to do our best to figure out what makes them tick. We are often introduced to these Dreamers by someone new in their lives, a hospice worker or a member of their care team who serve as advocates for these special seniors. We met Connie this way. Makenzie, at Hillcrest Hospice, had gotten to know and love Connie through their visits at Legacy Pointe Rehabilitation and Care Center, and she knew that Dreamweaver Foundation would be able to help this spunky and delightful lady enjoy a very special day.
At first glance, Connie’s tiny stature and demure nature mask her immense zest for life, strong faith, and resilient spirit.
An Omaha native and Creighton graduate, Connie worked as an RN in various hospitals throughout the city. She had lots of energy and had found time every day to run around the block for exercise while balancing raising her two daughters and caring for her patients. Connie told us about her love for music, art, travel, fashion, and pina coladas. Though her stories from the past were slightly disjointed, there was joy on her face as she told us about her many passions.
Connie’s room at Legacy Pointe Rehabilitation and Care Center is decorated with all her favorite things: silk roses, her hat collection, rosaries and crosses, and pictures of the Rat Pack and Frank Sinatra. The thought of leaving the comfort of her room for her dream was too overwhelming, so we knew what we must do: bring the Dream to Connie.
The Kevin D. Koopmann Duo was eager to help us fulfil this Dream for Connie, and Sam agreed to play a jazz concert for her and the other residents. So, on a hot Sunday afternoon in August, with Kevin and Sam dressed up for the event, we made sure that Connie was fashionable as well—in the brand-new pink hat that we brought her! Connie had told us that she loved pina coladas, so we made sure that our friends at Kona Ice had that flavor in stock when the truck pulled up to treat Connie and the other residents to a cold treat on that very hot day.
Just as the band was setting up for the concert in the dining room, Connie experienced cold feet about having left her room. She asked to go back to her room where she felt more comfortable. As they say, “The show must go on.”, and the band performed for a room full of appreciative residents. After the show Kevin and Sam came to Connie’s room for a special private performance, which included a rendition of her favorite Frank Sinatra tune that Connie enjoyed singing along to!
Dreamweaver would like to extend our thanks to Hillcrest Hospice for nominating Connie, to Legacy Pointe Rehabilitation and Care Center for helping us coordinate a Dream concert at the facility, and to Kevin D. Koopmann Duo and Kona Ice for bringing the dream to Connie!
