In early 2011, Bob and Nan Hawes decided it was time to downsize their living space and upsize their lifestyle.
“We lived in a 2,100-square-foot house full of stuff, but we spent 98% of our time in the kitchen, family room and bedroom,” Bob said. “There would be weeks I wouldn’t be in the front room.”
“And the dining room was my ironing room,” Nan added.
So, when they moved to Essex Meadows in June that year, they anticipated all the freedom and opportunity that comes with choosing a maintenance-free community.
What they couldn’t possibly anticipate, however, was their son Mike’s cancer diagnosis. They learned of it after three years of residency. The news shocked Bob and Nan, but they soon knew they wouldn’t walk alone in their journey.
Nearly overnight, Essex Meadows residents rallied around the Hawes as though they were family. Because really, that’s what happens at Essex Meadows: Neighbors support one another just as family would.
Residents and staff alike frequently stopped Nan and Bob to ask about Mike, offering kind words and hugs. They always felt as if someone at Essex Meadows was thinking about their son.
“It kept our spirits up the entire time,” Nan said, “because there was always someone asking us about him.”
Bob and Nan have a clear appreciation for and gratitude toward the people here who supported the Hawes family when they needed it most.
“People in this place genuinely care,” Bob said. “They’re a cut above.” – Bob & Nan Hawes