Meet Edith, whose 82 years young, and has faced a great deal of hardship in her life. She was married at the age of 17, raised 5 children, and also cared for a few other children who weren’t hers but they needed someone to care for them and she took on that role. She worked odd jobs over the years at various grocery stores and retail shops to make ends meet, and eventually purchased her parent’s home in Amherst where she grew up. Edith spent many years caring for her parents until they passed before spending 5 years being the primary caretaker of her husband until his passing. One year after her husband’s death, Edith’s youngest daughter died of cancer and Edith finished raising her two youngest daughters, as well as her youngest great-grandchild for several years. Despite the challenges Edith faced, she never once complained, continued to care for everyone around her, and never once asked for, or expected, anything in return. Always an adventurous spirit, Edith wanted to drive a motorcycle and go bungee jumping for as long as she can remember but she was always discouraged by others from doing them. She has a need for speed and laughingly states that she needs to watch her speeding in her small town so they don’t take her license from her. At this stage of her life, Edith would love nothing more than to go skydiving and feel that adrenaline rush she longs for before her mobility keeps her from it.

Edith is a kindred spirit who loves hard and dedicates much of her time crocheting hats for the newborns at the hospital, and blankets for seniors. She consistently puts others’ needs ahead of her own and feels as though this might be her last chance to do something for herself. We were so honoured to help Edith’s wish come true!