Senior living facility residents post adorable ‘first day of the rest of my life’ photos

An Oklahoma-based senior living facility is the latest retirement home to get involved in an increasingly popular social media trend; sharing images of its residents with ‘back to school boards’. 

Village on the Park in Oklahoma City took to Facebook to share fifty of its residents posing with their personalized boards. 

The boards – which welcomed the seniors to ‘the first day of the rest of [their lives]’ contained their name, age, graduating class year and their goal for the foreseeable future. 

Goals: In a new take on the ‘back to school board’ trend – seniors like Orpha, pictured, shared their goals for the year ahead as they embarked on ‘the first day of the rest of [their lives]’

Honest! Several residents such as 93-year-old Calvin, pictured, said their goals was ‘to stay alive’ 

Goals: Leon, 91, had his heart set on going on a horseback ride before the year was out 

The retirement facility said that they had been inspired by ‘everyone posting first day of school pictures’ and so they ‘wanted to be part of the fun’.  

‘These beautiful seniors are living their best life and we can learn from their wisdom everyday,’ the center captioned the images.   

So far, the album has been shared over 26,000 times online and social media users have asked Village on the Park staff if they can personally write letters to the residents. 

One adorable resident, Leon, said his goal for the year was to ride a horse. 

Staff at the facility confirmed in the post’s comments that this is something they will immediately set about organizing. 

Almost 100: Ester, left, and Georgia, right, had health and happiness on the brain in terms of their goals

Life: Many residents, including Betty, pictured, said their goal was to see next year

Whiteboards: The seniors, such as Raymond, left, and Robert, right, customized their boards with colored card and markers

Two women, Ester and Georgia, who had both reached their 98th birthdays said that their respective goals were to ‘get [their] health back’ and ‘stay healthy and keep enjoying family life’.   

Meanwhile, style-conscious Betty, who rocked hoop earrings and red lipstick, said she was focused on staying alive – prompting Facebook users to reassure her how ‘young, graceful and fabulous’ she looked. 

Both Bill, 84, and Charles, 94, had their faith at the forefront.

Bill said his goal was to ‘be more Christ-like’ at the facility, whereas Charles said he planned to ‘be witness for the Lord’. 

You’re only as young as you feel, and good-humored Paul, 90, evidently believed that too as he revealed his biggest desire for the coming year is to ‘run away and buy a farm in Oregon’.  

Faith: Bill, left, and Charles, right, dedicated their goals to their religious beliefs

Humor: Paul, left, and Bernadine, right, were the jokers of the group with their respective plans to run away

Positive: Jack’s motto, ‘Keep on keepin’ on’, was is something we could all strive to adhere to

Ditto Bernadine, who was all set to ‘retire and go on vacation’ in her 93rd year! 

‘I love your style, Paul!! You have a great smile and I have a feeling it doesn’t leave your face often,’ a user commented on his photo.

His granddaughter also chimed in that he is ‘always funny’ in the comments.

Gerlinde, the youngest of the bunch at 78-years-old, said her wish was to ‘stay alive’.

In fact, this sentiment was echoed by many of the residents at the facility. 

Positivity was at the forefront for the likes of Jack, 87, who intended to ‘keep on keeping on’. 

Health: Gerlinde, left, and Verna, right, made goals about their personal health

Upbeat: 87-year-old Winona had productivity on the brain with the motto ‘Do more!’

Home sweet home: The seniors all live at The Village on the Park in Oklahoma City 

Smiling: The heartwarming photos of residents such as Ed, left, and Harold, right, showed how happy they are as the reach their ninth decade

Walking: Marcile, pictured, was focused on trying to get out of the wheelchair she is currently confined to

The photos went down a treat on Facebook, with thousands of users sending well wishes to the residents. 

‘Made me smile, cry, and laugh, all at the same time. We can learn so much from each and every one of them,’ a comment read. 

‘You have touched so many by this post. We may not be able to visit or contact these wonderful people but they can inspire us to reach out to our local residents in facilities near us. They also have goals, wishes and stories. Many would love a visit from you,’ said another. 

As it’s back to school time, the trend for posing with customized chalk and white boards – at any age – continues to abound online. 

Just last week, residents at The Garden View Assisted Living center in Carroll went viral after sharing their advice for students returning to their studies.  

Almost 100: Marie, 97, in Carrol Iowa, gave advice that people of all age could adhere to

Studious: Arnie, left, and Don, right, preached the importance of studying hard and asking questions in class

Personal: The customizable chalkboards are a relatively new trend, with most parents purchasing them from Etsy or making their own

Their tried-and-tested wisdoms included gems from Marie, 97, who said ‘Do the best you can and have fun doing it’. 

So far on Facebook, the post with advice from the Iowa residents has been shared an impressive 64,000 times. 

The trend for sharing back to school boards continues to gather momentum on Instagram, with hundreds having been posted this month alone. 

The boards are usually purchased on sites like Etsy, or homemade by parents keen to mark their kids’ memorable school days.  

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk