Norma Bauerschmidt was born in 1925, and her life, like many others, was not necessarily filled with grand adventures or amazing stories. Norma was a nurse in the Navy during World War II.
She married Leo, and they had been for married 67 years. They had one son, Tim, who lived on the road with his wife, Ramie, and their poodle, Ringo. The couple did not see his parents often, but in 2015, everything changed.
Just days after the passing of her husband, Leo, Norma was diagnosed with cancer.
Her son, Tim, and daughter-in-law, Ramie, happened to be spending time at their parent’s home in Michigan during these events. Their plan had been to travel up to the last missing state on their 49 out of 50 bucket list, Alaska. But their plans changed and many could argue, for the better.
The doctors encouraged Norma, due to the severity of her cancer diagnosis, that she should undergo radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. But at 90 years old, Norma had a different plan.
“Nope,” Norma said, “I’m not doing any of that.”
And she didn’t. Tim and Ramie, living full-time on the road in their motor home, offered to have her live and travel with them. She took them up on it.
“I’m 90 years old. I’m hitting the road. Let’s go have some fun.” said Norma.
That’s when Tim, Ramie, their poodle, Ringo, and Norma took off on an adventure traveling across the United States.
Norma immediately began experiencing things she had never before seen or tried.
Trying new foods like, key lime pie, and lobster were among a few of the notables. She had never even been to the next state over, Wisconsin. Norma’s world was growing leaps and bounds while in the care of her son and daughter-in-law.
Ramie, who had always had a travel blog as part of their nomadic lifestyle, decided to start a Facebook page, documenting their travels. It didn’t take long for the word to spread.
Even today, Driving Miss Norma’s Facebook page has over 500,000 followers.
And one cannot doubt due to the encouraging tenacity of this brave woman’s spirit.
Norma’s advice, “I used to say ‘No,’ to a lot of things. My knee jerk reaction to most things – no, no. But now I hold my tongue, and I consider it, and I’m saying ‘Yes,’ to uncomfortable situations.”
The groups travels took them all over the United States, visiting places such as Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, Los Angeles, California, Fort Myers Beach, Florida, and Bar Harbor, Maine.
Norma met and changed the life of every person she met. And even while battling cancer, her smile could light up a room. Her adventurous spirit is still contagious when reading her story.
Although Miss Norma passed in September of 2016, her legacy is still living on.
NormaBauerschmidt died at the age of 91 on September 30, 2016, aboard her motor home in San Juan Island. Her son and daughter-in-law continue to run a Facebook page, host conferences, help provide caregiver support and have even written a book – all in her honor.
Hundreds of special notes and message have been left for Norma after her passing. She touched the lives of thousands across the county. Messages conveying the inspiration that Norma gave to make changes and live your life to the fullest. An excerpt from the book, Ramie reflects on some valuable wisdom.
“Life is fragile. We all say that, but most of the time the truth of it dos not move from head to our heart. We take people for granted, ignore aches, and pains, do not say the tings that we know we need to say, putting them off for a later time.”
Miss Norma had the kind of heart that strives to make a difference in the world. Her kindness and will to see the best in others sends a contagious message even to this day.
While her Facebook fans continued along with her on her journey, Miss Norma was asked that when she passed, how she would wish for those following along to express their condolences. Miss Norma’s response is heart-touching.
“I wish people would spread more joy, and maybe do something nice in their community or with their own family, I think that will make the most difference, don’t you?”
May we all remember that while our time on earth is fleeting, we still have an opportunity to inspire and change the world around us – just like Miss Norma.
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Source: Facebook: DrivingMissNorma
Source: Driving Miss Norma (Book)
