A Leap of Faith: Charlotte's Skyward Salute to Her Husband

At 85 years old, Charlotte Moszczenski took a leap of faith—literally.

Thanks to the Dream Come TRUE program at Cedarhurst of Tesson Heights, Charlotte fulfilled a wish that had quietly lived in the back of her mind for decades: skydiving. But for Charlotte, it wasn’t just about the thrill. This jump was deeply personal.

“My husband was in the 101st Airborne, the Screaming Eagles,” she says with pride. “He was one of the founding members of the St. Louis Parachute Club and a jump instructor. He is my inspiration behind this dream.”

Charlotte spent years watching her husband take to the skies, often riding along in the plane and helping him pack parachutes for his demonstrations. “He only trusted me to pack his chute,” she laughs. “Other people aren’t always so careful.”

When she learned that Cedarhurst would make her dream of skydiving come true, her reaction was pure joy.

“I was in absolutely total shock and excitement!” she recalls. “If it weren’t for Cedarhurst, I would never have done this.”

The jump itself was unforgettable. “When he said, ‘Put your legs out and hang them down,’ I thought, oh my gosh, what did I get myself into?” she says, laughing. “But then we just went. The fall was incredible, just awesome. You really do feel like a bird. Once the parachute opened…it was so quiet and peaceful.”

For Charlotte, this moment was more than adrenaline. It was a tribute. “Being in his position—in the air, not just watching from below—it was a way to feel close to him again.”

Despite the adventure, Charlotte still claims raising five children was the most daring thing she’s ever done. “But I’d do this again in a heartbeat,” she says with a grin. “If Cedarhurst sends me, I’m going!”

Charlotte moved to Cedarhurst about a year ago, and it’s made a big difference in her life.

“Before this, I was in a villa and felt so isolated. Now, I’ve made so many good friends,” she shares. “I’m enjoying every day, and I’ve tried to live that way my whole life.”

Her message to others: “If there’s something you’ve always wanted to do… do it.”

Thanks to Cedarhurst, Charlotte’s dream wasn’t just checked off a list, it was lifted into the sky with love, courage, and the memory of someone who meant everything.

This story will appear in the Fall 2025 issue of Flourish^® magazine.

About the Author

Ryan Davis is the Corporate Communications Manager at Cedarhurst Senior Living and the writer behind every story in Flourish^® magazine. He holds a Communications degree from Indiana University and brings 19 years of experience to his role, which he began in January 2024. Ryan is passionate about storytelling, especially sharing the meaningful lives of Cedarhurst residents, families, and staff. He hopes each published story becomes a treasured legacy for loved ones.