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Sandra’s parents met and married in England where her Father, a native Tucsonan, was stationed in the military. When she was six months old Sandra, her Mother, and 18,000 other war brides returned to the United States aboard the famous Queen Mary.

Graduating in 1963 from Rincon High School, Sandra embarked on her career as a librarian with the University of Arizona then later transferred to what was then called Mt. Bell Telephone Company where she met husband Roger Eagle. Roger and Sandra married in Bisbee, Arizona and have been married for almost 30 years.

Sandra has several loves in her life. Along with husband Roger and their son, Veterinarian Roger Paul Eagle, owner of Ina Road Animal Hospital in Tucson, She LOVES cats. When Roger met Sandra at Mt. Bell, he was also introduced to her family of… 12 … cats!

Although Sandra’s love of felines was great, it paled in comparison to her passionate hobby of collecting famous autographs. “I came over on the Queen Mary from England in 1945.” “That’s what led me to want the autographs of Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother.”

From stars like Sigourney Weaver, Cher, Sally Field, Jessica Tandy, Sonny Bono, Kevin Costner, James Arness and Dom DeLuise, to Bill and Hillary Clinton, Sandra’s collection grew and grew.

She became so well known that years later, 57 year old Sandra was featured in the Arizona Daily Star “Stargazer has gone after the big names for decades”.

Sandra is now one of our valued Residents at Crossroads Adult Care Community. Every day we enjoy hearing her share her stories about movie star personalities and how she was able to obtain their autographs.

Just yesterday, I asked Sandra if I could take a picture for this article. She smiled…”Sure!” As we walked the property arm in arm, I personally got to hear all about John Wayne and Cher. It was fun.

At one point, she stated “I like to sing as well!” What a delight she was as she broke out in song … she was beautiful.

Is it any wonder that we Celebrate Individuality at Crossroads? We feel fortunate.

After a slight hesitation, Tom Fatato replied, “Getting to see…inside our Residents.”  We then had a really nice discussion about aging – how we in our culture tend to avoid wanting to touch or truly “see” the insides of aging.

Tom and Bonnie went on to explain how one day they may be conducting their day-to-day business at Crossroads and all of a sudden, a story will come out.  One of the Residents, just prior involved in some mundane life situation, remembers a life story…typically followed by “You should have seen me then.”  A smile on the face, a knowing look; a look that speaks of wisdom, the kind of wisdom that can only come through experience.

I recall once asking an incredible lady, Balbina who at the time was 84 years old, “Do you remember when you were 18?”  “If you could live your life over, what would you do differently?”

With a faraway look lasting only for moments, Balbina looked straight at me and said “I wouldn’t have been so upset with Anthony during our marriage.”   Anthony and “Babs” lived at Crossroads Adult Care Homes in their later years in one of the guest homes especially designed for couples.  Enjoying their privacy and independence while having all their aging needs met, Anthony cared for Babs who faced the challenges of Parkinson’s.   Mounted proudly on their walls were photos of Balbina as a young, beautiful bride.  “You should have seen me then…”

Experiencing these types of discussions or hearing the life stories serves as a constant invitation to gain from the wisdom that is offered by our incredible Seniors –the wisdom that is right there in front of us every day.  In our hectic worlds with intense schedules, sometimes we forget to stop – to see the beauty or to take a moment to learn from our Senior Citizens.

One day we will reflect on our stories.  We each will say “You should have seen me then!”  We each will want to share our wisdom, to be seen, to be heard.

I liked the fact that the Fatatos concluded this as their most treasured gift from their life experience in operating Crossroads Adult Care Homes.  It wasn’t about success or material gain but rather about receiving something much more valuable…the insides of aging.

We will spend great amounts of time searching for answers among our piers, friends, or counselors, etc., when the insights to life could just possibly be right there in front of us.

Now?  When I see an aging face, I see the lines of life and layers of wisdom and I truly want to know the stories.  In the end, our stores are very much the same.

We at Crossroads would love to hear your stories – would love to post them on our Blogs for others to enjoy.  Write a comment or contact us to share your story with others.   If you are so inclined, also send a photo.  We like seeing the insides of aging as well as reading about them.

When asked by Bonnie and Tom Fatato to consider representing them in marketing Crossroads Adult Care Homes, my process in reaching a “Yes” response, was easy. I have to love what I represent.

For many years, I held the position of Executive Director for one of our largest and most highly regarded Tucson Senior communities, Broadway Proper Retirement Community. You see, I have always loved Senior Citizens. After eight years of close interaction with well over 200 Residents on a day to day basis, I have concluded that our Senior population is literally the most valuable, untapped wisdom based/intellectual resource in our country.

I say “our country” because I have come to realize in my world travels that other cultures view “aging” in a much different way than we here in the United States. (Stay tuned for future blogs: “Celebrating Aging.”) Sharing my then young daughters of ages five and seven who were given undeniable life insights along with the gifts of giving, brought this realization … home.

Now to the point…why Crossroads?

Knowing the Fatato Family as I have for many years, I have had the opportunity to experience the way they operate in their business but most importantly, in their lives…their family. It’s personal with them – plain and simple. The same consideration and love given to their seven children and now 13 grandchildren (more on the way) is mirrored in their way of giving to their Residents and Resident Families. They care…from the heart.

Many are focused on “business” — rightfully so in our highly stressed economic world. However, the Fatatos had a dream of creating something above and beyond the typical “business” Care Home model. How about a community with gardens designed specifically for Seniors to continue to touch Nature…to feel the serenity that only Nature can provide. How about a family within a family — your family interacting with other families…close…personal. Bonnie and Tom didn’t merely talk the dream; they made it happen.

I can tell you that while attempting to have this same close relationship with the incredible Senior family during my years in a beautiful, much larger community, it was virtually impossible. It is difficult to touch 200 lives in the way one would within an intimate family structure.

Had my parents decided to take the step toward moving into a Care Home Community, I would have wished for them…family, home cooked meals, gardens, nature, touch…the gift of belonging…every day.

Do I want all of you to know the Fatatos and to experience Crossroads in your families?

You bet I do. In fact, I want to know you. I want to share with you what I have learned in this industry, from the Senior community…from the Fatatos. Go to “Ask A Question” on our home page. I’d love to hear from you!