The Gift of Travel
As my children mature, I realize memories will outlive any gift I can ever give them. I hope the memories I create with my family will linger with my children for a lifetime. My gratitude for travel opportunities grows with each adventure and I witness how escaping our daily stresses allows the essence of my daughters to emerge. I see them in a new light, and I believe they see themselves in a new light when removed from their comfort zone.
Each trip creates anticipation of the new flavors, accents, sites, personalities, and experiences which lie ahead of us and my toes tingle in delight. The unknowns of what lies before us amps the excitement as I zip my suitcase closes. When the taxi ushers us thorough a new city, I feel the buzz, even if exhaustion plagues us after many hours of travel. There is no way to know which memories will stick and be retold for years to come. I don’t have a clue what encounters my daughter digested or what she will tell her children someday about our recent trip to Paris, but I know we created many memories. Will it be the pastries we ate from the boulangerie, the woman selling caramels, the twinkling lights of the Eiffel tower, the way I hugged her or held her hand on the plane? One day I will overhear her re-telling a story from the time I took her to Paris and then I will know the impact.
If my aging brain could only remember what was going on in my head at sixteen, I could decipher what she’s thinking behind her beautiful green eyes. I spend most of the time wondering if I’m making a difference, if my actions make her feel loved, and cherished, if she feels safe and protected, or if she appreciates my efforts. I show her day in and day out with little gestures but traveling to Paris just another attempt at creating impressionable memories. Exposing my daughter to not only Paris, but the value in meeting people across the globe demonstrates how being open can teach lessons beyond any book or classroom. Learning the differences between our cultures is fascinating, but realizing people are ultimately the same all over the world is impactful. No matter the country, people value connection, and family. I love you may sound different in every language, but it feels the same on each continent.
When choosing my travel partners, making memories with my daughters tops the list. I hope they will follow in my footsteps creating memories with those they love. Travel was a gift my parents appreciated and passing the value of memories to my daughters brings me happiness beyond compare.