In July 2022, I made what I can only call a dream of a lifetime trip. I flew to London to attend my graduation from the University of London and accept my law degree. Then I spent time with my Liverpool family, returned to the place where I lived as a teenager, and travelled with my dearest friend, Jilla, to the beaches of Normandy.
Getting Ready
Choosing a suit for my most important graduation day was one time when I really missed having Mom with me. Instead, my friend Stephie came with me to Laura’s at Fairview Mall, where she and a wonderful saleslady helped me choose a tasteful dark blue pantsuit with an off-white eyelet blouse. Everything fit well, but I still missed Mom’s final nod of approval.
I arrived in London on July 10 and settled in at Jilla’s house. We watched tennis, we ate, and we had an early night. The next day, after a little sleep, I wrote two chapters of my new Christmas story, The President’s Christmas Packages.
A Reunion Fifty Years in the Making
July 13 was a day I will never forget. Jilla and I had lunch at PizzaExpress with my friend Connie and with Sister Christina, now called Sister Bernadette. I first met Connie when I was studying at Concordia University in Montreal, and I had not seen her in thirty-three years. I had met Sister Bernadette when I studied in England as a teenager, and it had been fifty years since we last saw each other. She is the same vibrant, lively, always ready-to-listen nun!
Afterwards we took a walk in the park: the fragrances, the warm British sun and children laughing all around us. No one ever has that unique opportunity to see people again in this way. July 13 is also the day, back in 1963, when my baby sister died, so it has always been a very memorable date for me.
Graduation Day
On July 14, Jilla and I set out at around eight in the morning and met Angie at Friends House. We registered, and everything went beautifully, with no hassles at all. We got my gown and hat, took pictures, and then sat in the auditorium waiting for the ceremony to begin.
It started on time, and lo and behold, our chancellor was Princess Anne. As Jilla and I walked across the stage, I heard my name being called, and then I distinctly heard the princess telling me congratulations. I could not see anything, but hearing was enough! What a moment for me.
Afterwards, Jilla bought champagne for Angie and me, and then we went to the Limoncello restaurant for a lovely lunch with John, Lizbet and Connie, who came all the way from Italy to be with me. They have walked with me through different stages of my life, and I could not have done it without each and every one of them. The owner even treated us to some limoncello afterwards. Boy, was that ever strong!
By Train to Solihull and on to Liverpool
On July 15, Jilla saw Angie, Lizbet and me off at Marylebone Station, and we took the train to Angie’s lovely home and garden in Solihull. The train ride was very nice, and people were extremely friendly and helpful to us. Angie is a wonderful, wonderful hostess.
The next day we went on to Liverpool. We had dinner down at the docks, and that night we celebrated Tom’s 60th birthday party and met all the family again. On Sunday, July 17, I went to Mass at the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral with Angie, Bryan and John, and Bryan took me to communion. At the end of that day we had a lovely walk in Sefton Park, where my Uncle Lance used to enjoy his times, and caught up with the whole family.
Back to Christopher Grange
That same Sunday, Angie and I went to Christopher Grange, where I lived when I studied in England as a teen. We had a lovely tea party with old friends, and it meant so much to me that everybody remembered so many things. Angie and I walked down the cinder path and past Broughton Hall High School. It brought back memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life, memories I never knew I had.
Then came Greenside. We ran down the corridor, and I opened the door to Greenside and showed Angie and everyone what I remembered: Sister Christina’s office, the lounge, the snuggery, the kitchen and the dining room. We ran upstairs, and I opened the room where I used to sleep. The beds were still there, although it looked as if they were renovating. There was a chair lift at the head of the stairs, but nothing else had really changed. The doors were still painted red. What wonderful, touching memories.
The Hottest Day
Back in Solihull, Angie, John, Lizbet and I had a little tour of the town and a typical English lunch of roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, stuffing and parsnips. It was so hot. The hottest day in London’s history, I think they were saying. On our last night at Angie’s, we had a little piano recital. I played three songs, and Angie played three songs. It was beautiful.
The Beaches of Normandy
Getting to Normandy was a long, tedious journey. Angie and I met Jilla at junction 8A of the M40, and we were in time, but poor Jilla had battled protesters in London to get there. Then our train through the Channel Tunnel was delayed by two hours, so we arrived late at night to a nice French meal of bread, smoked ham and wine.
On July 21, Jilla and I visited the cemeteries where Canadian, British, American and other Allied soldiers are buried. I got more than I bargained for. The emotions were overwhelming. My goodness, the sacrifices that were made by these youngsters! If they had not given their bodies and their minds, where would we be today?
Then I stood on the beaches where they came ashore: Omaha Beach, Utah Beach and Juno Beach, and we passed by Gold Beach and Sword Beach. It was quite something to stand there and do my best to take in everything. A lot of those youngsters did not survive, but many did, and they survived to save the world. I got to walk the walk. And despite all that had gone on down below, the birds were singing.
The next day we visited Deauville, Trouville and Honfleur. It rained a lot, but we had a great day, and Jilla found me a lovely warm, waterproof yellow jacket. She also bought me a souvenir seagull, because I kept telling her how much I enjoyed hearing the seagulls. They don’t sing, I say. They screech! We ate well in Normandy too: after the beaches, a lunch of oysters and mussels with a glass of apple cider and a dinner of tender veal with apple ice cream, and on our rainy day in the towns, a typical French omelette.
I heard it all, smelled it all, touched it all and tasted it all. It did not matter that I could not see!
Heading Home
On July 23, we drove back through the Channel Tunnel to London, and at Jilla’s son Doug’s place I met Rae for the first time over a wonderful supper. Then it was time to pack.
On the morning of July 25, as I prepared to fly home to Toronto, I recorded my thanks. This had been a journey of worth and a journey of value. Jilla, above all, was fantastic to me: special, unique, generous and honest to the fullest. You can hear my interview with Jilla on Remarkable World Commentary.
From Curb to Cabin
This trip was full of helping hands, from beginning to end. Stephie and Ellie took me to the airport, and I had the good fortune to sit next to a lovely lady in business class who helped me all the way. Then, for the whole trip, I had top-notch help from Jilla, Angie, Lizbet and John.
Planning matters too. I book well in advance, and I print off my tickets and hotel vouchers early. I also create a document for my friends with my flight or train details, my hotel, how long I will be away, where else I might be staying, my travel insurance details and emergency numbers for family and friends.
My podcast, Curb to Cabin Canada, is about what actually happens to blind and low-vision passengers when they fly, and each episode follows one part of the air travel journey, from the curb outside the terminal to the seat in the cabin.
Previous trip: Portugal 2022
Next trip: Danube and England 2023
All of my trips: Travel Diaries
Donna J. Jodhan, LLB, ACSP, MBA
Global Leader In Disability Rights, Digital Accessibility, And Inclusive Policy Reform
Turning policy into progress for people with disabilities.
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