From the crash of the waves of the Pacific Ocean to the friendly hellos that echo through the halls of Morning Pointe of Spring Hill, Tennessee, Doris Sumner’s journey has spanned decades, miles, and chapters filled with fond memories. Now at 89, this vibrant retiree reflects on the unexpected joy she has found in her new home.
From West to East
Doris spent most of her life on the West Coast. She grew up in the sunshine and waves of Southern California, where she swam, sailed, and raised her children. She taught human ecology there in the Golden State as well. In her late 40s, her path shifted as she moved to Puget Sound in Washington to care for her aging mother. Her nurturing spirit led her to a fulfilling role as an activity director at a local nursing home—a job that gave her a deeper appreciation for the power of connection and the critical value of compassion in senior care.
After three decades in Washington, life nudged Doris once again—this time across the country. She was growing older and moved closer to her daughter in Spring Hill, Tennessee. She knew she could benefit from assisted living, and she and her daughter came to Morning Pointe of Spring Hill Assisted Living for a tour.
Finding a Home at Morning Pointe
“I felt embraced with love when I walked through the door,” Doris said. “I told my daughter, ‘I don’t see any point in going anywhere else.’ Morning Pointe has been the answer to a prayer.”
After moving in on Oct. 1, 2024, Doris settled in quickly. She was somewhat underweight when she arrived, but with good food prepared for her three times a day, she came up to a healthier weight. “The cooks are just outstanding,” she said. “The flavors are good, and there are so many incredible desserts.”
Doris shared that when she fell and broke her leg at the end of October and spent some time in the hospital, “Even though I had only been here a month, Morning Pointe was what I thought of when I thought of going home. This to me is the gold standard for an assisted living community.”
On her return, Doris was able to continue her physical therapy progress through the on-site therapy services with Morning Pointe’s rehabilitation partners.
Care and Community
Doris feels safe and appreciates the care and attention from the associates she interacts with. “Everyone who works here I’d be proud to have as a friend,” she said. “They are doing God’s work and doing it beautifully. Everyone goes out of their way to be helpful.” Even on the day she moved in, she remembers that a resident assistant saw her and her daughter bringing in boxes and took the time to help her with the move.
She has made friends among her fellow residents as well, starting with her dining buddies who made her feel welcome from day 1. One of these residents’ sons visits frequently and calls Doris his aunt. “These are just the most beautiful people I’ve ever known,” Doris said. “You’ve got kindred spirits all over the place, and we’ve all got each other’s backs.”
As far as activities go, Doris usually passes on bingo because of all the games she led as an activity director in Washington, but there are plenty of other activities she joins in with pleasure. She particularly enjoys Bible study, exercise, pet therapy and all the musical entertainment that comes through so close to Nashville.
As potential residents and families tour Morning Pointe of Spring Hill, Doris loves to tell them about her own experience. “I tell them, ‘You’ll never find anything better,’” she said. “The love and the care and the looking after each other runs deep.”
