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Crestavilla Seniors Paint their Hearts Out

    There are opportunities in life that take you by surprise.

    I experienced one when Francis Cruz, Engage Life Director at Crestavilla Senior Living, invited me to paint with the residents of this beautiful community in Laguna Niguel.

    Three classes turned into seven, and a culminating weekend-long Art Show & Sale in mid-October.

    I had no idea I would be so impacted by our time spent together.

    From scenes by the sea to childhood memories to favorite flowers, the Memory Care and Assisted Living residents’ fully participated in the flow of the paint. Unbeknownst to me, I became intimately connected to each of them as they shared the stories of their paintings.

    There were moments of joy in the rediscovery of artistic talents they let go of years ago.

    All it took was a little nudge in the holding of a brush for marks of color to appear on the canvas.

    It was the surprise on their faces and the memories they recalled that made this such a remarkable experience, not just for the residents, but for me. I’m grateful to Francis for trusting me to bring a few moments of joy to their lives.

    If you get a chance, visit this beautiful community and go to the Top of The World to see where these remarkable life experiences happen!

    Here’s a gallery of their remarkable art. Enjoy!