News Letters
The Dream
One bright summer day in the mid nineteen eighties, Brenda and I were driving to Philadelphia Pa. to visit relatives. Brenda suddenly began to enthusiastically talk to me about “The Dream” she had of one day owning and operating an assisted living facility in Maryland. She talked of how she wanted a home for elderly persons that would enable them to enjoy themselves and consider it their home away from home. She wanted Elesy Manor to be a special place for special people.Brenda talked at length about how she envisioned decorating her assisted living home and how she wanted each of her residents to always feel loved and appreciated. She wanted the rooms to be bright with pretty curtains and nice decorations that would remind her residents of "old times." She would play music of their era as they ate their meals and she would ensure their well being by providing well planned nutritious meals. She dreamed of providing them with the best care possible. She wanted to provide all sorts of activities to keep them active and alert.
Brenda had already picked out a name for her future assisted living home. Because of her great love and respect for her mother, she had decided that she wanted her mother's name involved. Since her mother's maiden name was Elesy, she said her place would be called Elesy Manor. In addition to providing top notch personal care for her residents, she dreamed of providing a variety of in-house activities for all of her residents but especially for those that could not afford to attend a community daycare center. She would bring in musicians, magicians, singing individuals and groups, organizations with pets, children groups, church groups and others. She would celebrate birthdays, have picnics and holiday parties. Brenda was unbelievably enthusiastic about starting her own assisted living home. I listened with excitement and I was thoroughly convinced she was serious and totally determined to someday realize her “Dream.”
- What's it all about
- The dream
- The dream fulfilled: the history of Elesy Manor
- Keeping the dream alive
- Kim Miller reflections on the dream
- Recreation activities
- Special events
- The garden
- Award
- Part of the community