Courtni Maddox
Apr 2026
It has taken me some time to write this, because grief is still very present for me. For a long time, I was the one holding everything together for my mom and dad. Letting go of the reins and trusting others to care for them was not easy. In fact, there were moments where I struggled deeply. I had breakdowns, and I know there were times I tested the staff more than I would have liked to. But what I found at StonyBrook Assisted Living was something I didn’t expect. People like Travis, Christopher, Celeste, Sam, the kitchen staff, the med techs, and the long-term employees that showed up with consistency, patience, and compassion. Emily…the activities coordinator and so many others, made a real difference not just in my dad’s life, but in mine. They didn’t just care for my parents.They allowed me to finally be ok with letting go. “The slow goodbye” as I call it was made easier because my parents were fortunate enough to land at Stoneybrook. Because of Stoney brook, I was able to stop being the caretaker for a bit and just be a daughter. Some of the best moments of my life were spent sitting side by side with my dad in recliners NOT managing medications, not worrying… just loving him because I knew he wad ok without me…I was suddenly the cherry on top of the pie and not the entire pie. Both bittersweet. Is Stonybrook allowed me to build wonderful lasting memories as a daughter and not as a caretaker. Finding Stony Brook felt like an answered prayer, even though I fought it at first. My mom passed there. My dad spent his final days there. As hard as that is to say, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. This place is the complete opposite of the fear people often have about assisted living. It is filled with people who truly care, and that made all the difference. Thank you for giving my parents dignity, and for giving me the chance to just be their daughter when I needed it most. Thank you so much for the dignity you gave to both my parents and myself. Until I take my last breath, I will appreciate you.
