It’s not the Destination; but the Quality of the Journey

It strikes me how my life has changed in this past five years, limiting my own ability to travel, as I need to “be here for mom.”  My traveling days with mom are gone, but I do have memories.

I remember some very special trips with mom & dad- who always traveled in style!  Dad would always book for us the finest hotels that money could buy, and thus, I had the privilege when I was young of staying in some world famous places.  Hotels like The Plaza in New York, The Mayflower in Washington DC, The Royal Garden in London, The Park Hotel in Stockholm, The Excelsior in Rome, and the Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki Beach! 

One extremely special trip was my mom taking us back to Sweden to meet our Swedish relatives and her homeland.  I remember sleeping in my grandfather’s home, which is only 50 miles south of the Arctic Circle- in Lapland, in the middle of June- where the sun never went down.  What an amazing experience for me to have those fond memories of my youth! 

Dad, on the other hand, always had to eat at the finest restaurants in the world.  Places that I could only dream about, given the tough economical times of today. I wish I could have traveled more with dad before he passed away.  He had a motor home in his later years, and at the time, the thought of me riding in that thing was unappealing, and yet now I wish I could turn back the clock, - just to sit with him in the front seat and reminisce about times past- and yet now they are gone. 

Why didn’t I take that time?  Why didn’t I listen quietly, and use a car ride to hear the rich stories of dad’s life that he could have shared with me on a journey in a motor home?  I can never get that time back. 

Today, I am struck by the fact that there is more of a consciousness in our culture for simplicity.  How many of us conserve our pennies and a new term has emerged: “staycations.”  

Does that mean we take the dream trips with our parents, or, do we always find something else to do?

Most importantly, do we take the time out to visit with them often? 

What about short trips like a weekend getaway, or a day trip? 

I realize now that it’s not about where you go, or where you stay.  It’s about the quality of the journey.  It’s taking the time to sit with our parents and listen to their stories, taking a trip down memory lane, and sharing in an experience that will make all the difference in the world. 

What are the memorable journeys you have taken with your parents? 

What experiences live with you today?

What destinations do you wish to share with your children?