Leona Lewis and Carolyn Hollander, residents of Cedarhurst of St. Charles, recently experienced a dream come true. Thanks to Cedarhurst’s Dream Come TRUE program, the two friends took to the skies in a hot air balloon, each realizing a cherished goal that, for Leona, was a first-time experience, and for Carolyn, a nostalgic return to an adventure she first enjoyed three decades ago.
Growing up near an airport, Leona Lewis often gazed at planes flying overhead, captivated by the skies beyond her small corner of St. Charles County. When she moved to a farm, the hot air balloons that occasionally floated above her fields captured her imagination.
"I always wondered what it would be like," she shared. "The second I stepped into the basket, I was nervous, but mostly excited. In a balloon, there is nothing between you and the open sky. It felt like standing on a cloud."
For Leona, a lifelong St. Charles County resident who raised five children there, soaring above her hometown held special meaning. She could see local landmarks like the St. Louis Arch in the distance. "I have no words," Leona reflected. "It was unbelievable to have this adventure right here in the county where I grew up."
As Leona looked out over the landscape below, memories of her late husband, Robert, came to mind. Married for 62 years, Robert would have been both astonished and delighted to see her take flight.
"I thought of him the entire time. I kept thinking, ‘Can you believe that I am up here?’ It felt like he was there with me, laughing along. I’ll never forget this experience—it will stick with me until I’m gone."
For Carolyn, the ride brought back memories of her first balloon trip, which she arranged as a surprise for her husband. This time, the experience felt more intimate and personal. “The basket was smaller, and we got to fly lower over neighborhoods, where people waved, and kids ran out to watch us. That was my favorite part,” Carolyn said with a smile.
Carolyn’s adventurous spirit has grown over the years, and she loves sharing experiences with friends she has made along the way. "It was wonderful sharing this with Leona and Austin, our Cedarhurst team member who came with us," she shared. "Up there, all you hear is the fire from the burner and, occasionally, a dog barking below. It’s so peaceful."
Both women were deeply grateful for the opportunity Cedarhurst provided through the Dream Come TRUE program, which offers residents the chance to fulfill lifelong dreams.
“I always hear about senior living places being so boring, but Cedarhurst made this dream come true for us. What a place this is,” Leona said. "Now when I see a balloon, I can say I know what that feels like!"
For Carolyn, this adventure affirmed her belief in the power of pursuing dreams at any age. “I want others to know that you’re never too old to try new things,” she said. “Focus on the things you can still do, not what you cannot. Do not let age slow you down!”
The journey left both Leona and Carolyn with unforgettable memories, ones that they look forward to sharing with family and friends for years to come. From the peaceful, breathtaking views to the playful exchanges with people on the ground, this experience highlighted not just the beauty of floating above the world but also the joy of chasing lifelong dreams, regardless of age.
This story originally appeared in the Winter 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.
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