Ginger has been a resident of Mesa Manor in Grand Junction, Colorado for several years after losing her husband in 2005 and her only child, a son, in 2008. One winter’s day in 2022, Melanie Wiseman, a HopeWest Volunteer, arrived at the nursing home for a visit. As a patient care volunteer, Melanie’s role is to visit patients in their home or care facilities, and provide them with companionship and emotional support.
When they met, neither could have known what the future would hold. They talked for hours over the course of weekly visits, and Melanie learned that Ginger had been raised on a farm in Montrose, Colorado. Ginger loved to tell stories about growing up riding horses and driving cattle with her dad, and she can remember the name of every horse and dog her family had. Melanie was fascinated by her stories, and a bond began to form as she discovered one of the sweetest, most positive, and loving people that she had ever met.
As Melanie arrives to visit each week, she asks Ginger what she might like to do during their visit. To Melanie’s delight, Ginger often replies, “I don’t care, as long as it’s with you.”
Melanie takes Ginger on outings just about every week so she can enjoy getting outside in the fresh air and seeing different scenery.
These fast friends often go for drives in the country, delight in ice cream at Enstroms, and enjoy outings to community partners of HopeWest such as Joe Breman at Equine Ranch and Suncrest Orchard and Alpaca Farm. These partners provide Ginger the opportunity to interact with animals such as horses, alpacas, dogs, and chickens—reminiscent of life growing up on the farm.
Creating personalized and meaningful experiences like these is enjoyable for everyone involved. “Providing horses for the benefit of HopeWest’s programs melds my passion for both,” said Joe Breman owner of Equine Ranch.
Melanie’s time with Ginger has certainly been as gift to them both. During most visits, Ginger says to Melanie, “Honey, I don’t know where you came from, but I think it was heaven.” To which Melanie replies, “You are heaven sent to me as well.” She has learned so much from Ginger, including the power of finding the best in people, and the best in all situations.
At the end of a recent outing, Ginger said, “This has been such a wonderful day. Everyone should have a friendship like ours.”
In every community we serve, devoted partners and volunteers have stepped forward to help make joyous experiences like this possible for HopeWest patients.
Interested in volunteering at HopeWest?
During most visits, Ginger says to Melanie, “Honey, I don’t know where you came from, but I think it was heaven.” To which Melanie replies, “You are heaven sent to me as well.”
