I came across a darling story on FB yesterday. You may have seen it. Norma is almost 91. She lost her beloved Leo and during the two week period he was dying, Norma was diagnosed with a large mass in her uterus which was most likely cancerous. Her son and daughter-in-law sat down and had a long talk with Norma prior to her doctor visit to hear the final diagnosis. They explained what the likely scenarios might look like and asked her what she wanted to do. They gave Norma options. She could have the surgery and treatment. She could go into assisted living to while away her last month’s on earth. Or, she was welcome to pack a bag, hop on board the RV they lived in full time, and spend as much quality time as she could traveling along with them. Her family told her they would drive her anyplace she wanted to go.
When the time came, they sat listening to the doctor confirm their gravest fears. If Norma could even survive the massive surgery, which was questionable, the treatment would surely kill her. She had just witnessed her beloved Leo die in hospice. She wasn’t about to do that…to herself OR to her family. She stood up, thanked the doctor, but said “No, thanks. I’m hittin’ the road.” Norma’s family explained their plans to the doctor and he was all for it.
Isn’t it wonderful that Norma has the option to live out her days, traveling the highways and byways of America, seeing things she’s never seen? Revisiting places that brought her joy in the past. Meeting so many people and making new friends. And kudos to her kids for taking this on and providing such loving support of their loved one in her old age. I am in awe. I would love to meet this beautiful woman and her kids!
Time passes so quickly when you reach that tipping point, doesn’t it? We don’t know the number of days we will get, but when we arrive at the point that doubling your age and then living that long isn’t possible, you know you’re traveling a journey that no longer seems endless. Those of us who have lost a loved one have a deeper understanding of the thin film between life and death. This finite thread we hang by can snap at any moment. Why not spend those last good months in the front seat of an RV heading west into the sun? That’s how I’d want to go.
You can follow along and read about Norma’s travels on Facebook HERE.
❤️
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”
Proverbs 27:1 NIV