Resident Finds Purpose in Special Bond with Associate’s Daughter

Whether Walter was in Silverado’s country kitchen, the garden, his room, or elsewhere in the community, Lisa somehow always knew where to find him when she arrived after school. This was no small feat in a building of 38,000 square feet on a five-acre campus. But it was the kind of bond they had. Lisa, the seven-year-old daughter of a Silverado laundry employee, had been blind since birth. But she knew where Walter was because it was the place she would have chosen to be, too.

That afternoon, Lisa found Walter sitting in the gazebo. Walter spotted her crossing the lawn and broke into a wide grin.

“Lisa, I’m over here,” he called out. He knew Lisa’s instinct would bring her to him anyway, but he just felt so much pleasure in saying her name.

Lisa’s face lit up and she hastened to hug him. They sat and talked for a bit. Then Walter asked the question that Lisa was expecting, the one she hoped he would ask.

“Lisa, can you count to 200 for me?”

“One, two, three,” Lisa began. Walter leaned a little closer to her and listened attentively as she continued. He was committed to improving her math skills. Lisa, excellent at the subject, in truth needed no practice. But every time she reached 200 without an error, Walter would congratulate her, and the pride in his voice always made her happy.

After she finished counting and sat a while, Lisa took Walter’s hand and placed it on her face and asked, “Am I beautiful?”

“You are the most beautiful little girl there ever was,” Walter told her. “Your hair has a soft sheen that reflects the sun. Your complexion is the envy of little girls everywhere. Believe me, you are a gift from God.” Lisa smiled and bowed her head. She felt for Walter’s hand and grasped it. They were both quiet for a while.

Then, Lisa said: “I can count to 400, too.”

“I would like to hear that,” Walter replied.

Walter was 99. According to scientists, his advancing memory impairment by now would have reduced the size of his brain by one-third. Many scientists claim that the actions of a person in his condition are no longer guided by intention or comprehension.

But Walter knew exactly what Lisa needed. She was his purpose.