The Road Trip of a Lifetime
and just about every other kind of food the Bayou had to offer when they visited New Orleans.
After his wife and caretaker of 67 years passed away, 95-year-old WWII veteran Johnnie Dimas thought his only option would be to move into a nursing home. However, his grandson Roger and his grandson’s wife, Jo, had other plans. Rather than let his grandfather live in a home for however much of his life was left, Roger instead moved Johnnie out to Sedona, Arizona, to live with him. About a year later, Roger decided that he wanted to go a step further in helping his grandfather by taking him on a road trip across the country to see as many places on Johnnie’s bucket list as possible. Roger and Jo got a motorhome for the occasion and dubbed it the Sweet Mary Bus after Johnnie’s late wife. Then, they set out meandering east, hitting as many stops as they could along the way. Some of Johnnie’s favorite destinations turned out to be Tombstone, El Paso, and Waco (where Johnnie was born and raised). Some of the trio’s most memorable adventures included an encounter with a camel at a farm near the Mexican border, which thrilled Johnnie, as well as eating crawfish, alligator,
More memorable moments occurred when Roger and Jo took Johnnie to WWII museums around the country, where he was often given a hero’s welcome. At one museum, a young lady who helped run the place even gave him a free tour and a T-shirt. He also got a mug that read “To Hell with Hitler,” which amused Johnnie to no end. After the trip was done, they headed back to Sedona. Then, just under a year later, Johnnie passed away at the age of 96. Roger and Jo had been planning a trip to visit Graceland with him, since Elvis was one of the veteran’s biggest idols. Johnnie actually died on the exact same day that Elvis had 43 years earlier, which Roger said would have tickled Johnnie. Being a 24/7 caregiver certainly isn’t easy. But when you spend your time making memories with elderly loved ones, the experience is nothing short of rewarding.
Have a Laugh!
Easy way out on Pg. 4
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