The power of travel: 100-year-old woman sees the ocean for the first time

Tennessee resident Ruby Holt has spent most of her 100 years in rural, landlocked Tennessee. She worked on farms picking cotton as well as in factories, and also raised a family. Now she lives in a senior living community, but thanks to the employees of her home, she was able to fulfill a lifelong dream and see the ocean for the first time.

A while back, Ruby had mentioned to them that she had never seen the ocean. They submitted her dream to Wish of a Lifetime, an organization that grants wishes to seniors, and this month her wish was granted. She was brought on an all-expenses paid trip to Alabama to see the Gulf of Mexico.

Via the AP:

Holt laughed and grinned as cool Gulf waters hit her feet for the first time, and she walked across the white sand with the help of aides from the home.

She said she’d never seen anything as big as the ocean. But in the November chill she kept saying over and over: “It’s cold.”

“I’ve heard people talk about it and how wonderful it was and wanted to see it, but I never had the opportunity to do so,” Holt said.

This is a great story, and it shows just how liberating travel can be. Many people may take for granted something that seems as simple as seeing the ocean, but not everyone has that opportunity. Even if you’re 100 years old, there’s always something new to see, and some dream destination to check out before it’s too late.

via UPROXX

Last updated on December 28, 2019

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