See …
Do …
Accomplish
By Julie Webb
Contributing columnist
Webb
“One of my fondest childhood
memories was a trip I took one
summer with my Aunt Carolyn and
my grandmother’s cousin, Juliet
Kintley, or “Dessie” as we called her.
Juliet was the most joyful spirited
woman and my namesake.”
Juliet Webb
32•
T
ravel is a gift that grants us a lifetime of
wonderful memories. There is so much to
be learned through our travels about our-
selves and those we travel with. It’s the one thing
in life that has no age limit — and shouldn’t.
We don’t have to complicate things but a little
planning can help make things go smoother and
more enjoyable.
• Choose a destination that is easy to navigate
or will accommodate special service requests if
needed.
• Give yourself layover time to have a bath-
room break, stretch your legs, or grab a snack.
• Make sure you have all of your documenta-
tion with you and readily available.
• If you need special services set those up in
advance.
• Make sure you have your medications filled
and with you in original containers.
Travel is good for the mind, body, and soul.
It staves off depression and keeps us active and
healthy as we age.
One of my fondest childhood memories was
a trip I took one summer with my Aunt Carolyn
and my grandmother’s cousin, Juliet Kintley, or
“Dessie” as we called her. Juliet was the most
joyful spirited woman and my namesake. The
summer before I started school we loaded up in
her huge four door sedan and took off for our
Tennessee music and mountain adventure! We
went to Nashville where my favorites included
Opryland, The Grand Ole Opry and my abso-
lute favorite a guitar (pronounced “gee-tar”)
shaped swimming pool. We then moved on to
Chattanooga and the excitement of Lookout
Mountain, Rock City, and Ruby Falls. I’ll never
forget her navigating with what seemed such
ease that swinging bridge! How she did it all
without complaint I will never know, but the
memories and joy I felt live on in my mind to this
day.
The rest of the story, as Paul Harvey would
say, is that as a child in the ’50s Juliet contracted
polio. It ravaged her small body and she spent
quite some time in a hospital confined to an iron
lung. As she aged and her disease progressed.
She was in and out of hospitals. She wore a
brace to help her walk and struggled to breath
at times but she never let that stop her or define
her. It fueled her determination to see, do and
accomplish all that she could. She kept a smile
on her face, loved a good gathering of family and
friends, she worked, rode horses, shot guns, grew
a garden and traveled.
Let that also be our life song… SEE it, DO it,
ACCOMPLISH all you can!
• Juliet Webb is a Home Care consultant for Home
Instead Senior Care.
TIMELESS MERIDIAN