These Angels Make It a More Wonderful Life

By Rick Banas of BMA Management, Ltd.

Several years ago, our daughters introduced us to a holiday tradition here in Chicago.

They took us to the vintage Music Box Theatre in the Lakeview neighborhood for the annual Christmas Show that features the Frank Capra classic “It’s A Wonderful Life.”

What a treat! Santa appeared and welcomed the audience. Accompanied by the theatre’s organist, the Jolly Ole Soul led us in a sing-along of cherished Christmas Carols. The lyrics were projected onto the screen so I had nary an excuse not to participate, no matter how much I lack the ability to hit a right note let alone carry a tune.

Audience participation was the norm during the movie as well, with cheers for Jimmy Stewart and hisses for Mr. Potter. People in the audience rang bells when in the movie bells rang to mark an angel being awarded his or her wings.

The movie, which shows a despairing George Bailey what his hometown would be like had he never been born, ranks among my all time favorite Christmas movies. Others on my Top Ten list in no particular order are:

The 1951 version of “Scrooge,” with Alastair Sims as Ebenezer Scrooge.

Christmas Story,” with Ralphie and the Red Ryder BB Gun.

Dr. Seuss “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” with Jim Carey.

The 1934 version of “Babes in Toyland,” with Laurel and Hardy rescuing Bo-Peep and Tom-Tom from Bogeyland.

The 1947 version of “Miracle on 34th Street,” featuring the Academy Award-winning performance of Edmund Gwenn.

“Holiday Inn,” with Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and the song “White Christmas.”

Along with “Elf,” the “Polar Express” and Jim Henson’s “Muppet Christmas Carol.

Angels, miracles, touching lives and the melting of hardened hearts tend to be common themes of classic Christmas movies, Blair Minton, founder of BMA Management, noted at the 2010 BMA Holiday Awards Program.

Singing Fa, La, La’s is not our expertise; taking care of seniors is, Dawn Powell and Diane Lopez pointed out in their Holiday Message for 2010. During this season of Thanks, Giving and Love, we give thanks for our ability to bring smiles, joy and comfort to older adults. Dawn is the Administrator and Diane the Director of Marketing for our Heritage Woods affordable assisted living community in Sterling, Illinois.

During this Holiday Season, we also give thanks for the Supportive Living program here in Illinois. Through the program, thousands of older adults of all incomes who need some help to maintain their independence are able to live a more wonderful life, filled with personal choice, privacy and dignity.

As a mission-driven company, we are grateful to have grown to become the largest provider of affordable assisted living in Illinois and one of the 25 largest providers of assisted living in the nation.

Above all, we are thankful for all of the angels at our senior living communities who touch the lives of nearly 3,000 older adults not just during the Holiday Season, but 24 hours a day each and every day of the year. We appreciate their dedication to our values of providing older adults with the Love, Compassion and Dignity they deserve.

Click play on the player below to listen to Dawn and Diane’s Holiday Message, and click here for examples of how BMA angels have been able to Touch Lives of seniors and their families.

May you and your family have a blessed Holiday Season. Happy New Year. And, let us know about your favorite Holiday Movies.


All affordable assisted living communities managed by BMA Management, Ltd. are certified and surveyed by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. All assisted living communities are licensed and surveyed by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

“BMA Management, Ltd. is the leading provider of assisted living in Illinois
and one of the 20 largest providers of assisted living in the United States.”

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Gardant Management Solutions has 20+ years of industry-acclaimed operational history in developing, managing and consulting for senior living, assisted living and memory care communities.