By Cindy Adams
Dickie is one of 19 children. That’s right! 19! He will be 95 on his next birthday and has outlived all his siblings except two brothers and one sister. He goes to work four days a week and, until five years ago, had a large garden where he often picked his vegetables too early because he got excited. He now gardens in pots, and he still picks too early!
Dickie has spunk and shows it in his eyes. When asked what he finds fun, he said, "fishing and West Virginia football." He’s also pretty fond of his housemates, Jessie, Josh, Patricia, Chase, Jenny, and Forrest. He has been with Stonebrook, now enCircle, for 18 years and lives in one of the Group Homes called "The Greenhouse."
"I’m happy I’ve got a home," Dickie said. "And we’re having chicken for supper."
It’s in this home where Dickie calls his family and friends, unpacks his lunch box after work, naps with a blanket over his head, and does his chores. He likes to help and, particularly, wants to rake leaves.
It’s also where he has celebrated many birthdays, often in the backyard with his church family. His house has a wrap-around deck that overlooks a giant field. Dickie says he wants some of the trees removed so that they can get a cow for milk. He has ideas!
Dickie’s eyes twinkle before he speaks. You can feel his energy. His home, his work and his people are important to him. And he likes to share with others.
"Come over and visit sometime," he said. "I’ll show you where the birdfeeders are."
