This 90-Year-Old Woman Is Fulfilling All Your Wanderlust Goals
"We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us"
When 90-year-old Norma had a cancerous mass detected in her uterus the day after her husband of 67 years was admitted to hospice, the rest of her life changed forever.
But rather than go through surgery, chemo and radiation for the rest of her valuable time, she decided to hit the road, very literally.
When she first proposed the idea to her doctors, they understood her decision immediately. One even noted: "“As doctors, we see what cancer treatment looks like every day. ICU, nursing homes, awful side effects and honestly, there is no guarantee she will survive the initial surgery to remove the mass. You are doing exactly what I would want to do in this situation. Have a fantastic trip!”
For the last 6 months after her husband passed, Nora has been traveling with her son Tim, daughter-in-law, Ramie and their poodle, Ringo around the country in an RV.
Tim, Ramie and Ringo have been living the nomadic lifestyle for years and jumped at the chance for Norma to join them and get the most out of life!
“I'm having the time of my life!" Norma said. “I’m done with doctors.”
The group left their small home in Northern Michigan and headed west to the Grand Canyon in August of 2015.
Along the way, they made a stop at Yosemite National Park which Norma especially loved.
They headed down to New Orleans for Thanksgiving and Norma experienced a New Orleans-style party for the holidays.
Now the group is hanging around Florida until it warms up for more travel to add to their current total of about 6,000 miles.
Norma even got to visit Disney World
And countless beautiful beaches
And in an extra special outing, Norma fulfilled a lifelong dream between her and her husband to go on a hot air balloon ride.
As a Christmas present from Tim and Ramie, they all went on a once-in-a-lifetime ride in Orlando.
Norma has no regrets on choosing travel over treatment: “People shouldn't be afraid to travel,” she said. “No matter your age."
Norma is still as sharp as ever and enjoying her travel adventures with no intention to stop! Follow them all yourself via her Facebook page, Driving Miss Norma.
