The Viper

Have you ever had just one wish that you wanted to come true? What would you do if one day that dream suddenly came true?

On Friday, May 30th The Bridge granted a once in a lifetime wish for one of our residents. J.B.'s life-long wish was to own a Dodge Viper. He had a picture of a Viper on his walker, and he called his walker, J.B.'s Viper. Anyway, we could not purchase J.B. that Viper, but we certainly did the best we could with a lot of help from Tom Perkins of Perkins Dodge here in Colorado Springs. Tom Perkins volunteered to bring a Dodge Viper to our Assisted Living Community so that J.B. could take a ride in it.

J.B. was exstatic all week...he couldn't wait to take his ride. It was all he talked about. By the time Friday came, you wouldnt have been able to tell who was more excited, J.B. to go for the ride, or the staff to watch J.B. go for his joy ride.

The wait was over, it was finally time to ride. The weather was beautiful, the sun was shining in a baby blue sky, and the biggest smile on one of the most handsome faces to ever grace The Bridge Assisted Living...what a perfect day!

J.B. stood outside The Bridge dressed in a fine suit and tie, on top of his head...a signature J.B. cap. His eyes lit up like the night sky on the Fourth of July. Tom parked the car and made his way over to J.B., replacing his cap with a red Dodge cap, and then escorting him to the car. As J.B. made his way into this fine automobile, Tom told John Jr. to take his dad for the ride. What a great surprise! It was so wonderful to see J.B. and John Jr., share this wish together. Tom, the staff, and visitors just stood there and watched the two men drive off into the sunshine.

As the hour came to a close, J.B. and John Jr., pulled into the parking lot where we all greeted them with smiles and hugs. J.B. didn't want to get of that car, but he did. However, as he stood there looking at the car he said "Tom, could you lift the hood on that baby?" You see, J.B. was a car man, and he was very intriqued by the engine under the hood. As Tom and J.B. stood there talking about the origin of the car and the engine, all I thought was, a guy and his Viper, it's a beautiful thing!

As great as this was, all things must come to an end. Unfortuneately, we did not know just thre short days later, God would call J.B. home. J.B., a resident of Colorado Springs since 1917, passed away suddenly on June 2, 2008.

All though we will miss him forever, we know that J.B. drove to heaven in a Cherry Red Dodge Viper.

This blog is dedicated in loving memory of J.B.S. Until we meet again my friend!