Empty Nest,  Temporary Life/Travel

Making BIG Memories

Oh, how I wish I’d followed through on plans for this one dream – to take a big trip with Mom – just the two of us. Over the years, we took a few little ones here and there but I wanted something adventurous with special bonding time. We’d even talked about what that trip would be – a Caribbean cruise.

Mom and I around the time we were discussing a big trip.
Mom and I around the time we were discussing a big trip.

Time went by. Life got in the way. We never made it happen. Since I became a mom, I’ve carried that regret with me. Now I’ve waited long enough. My kids are starting their adult lives and I’m carrying the dream forward.

Over the next few years, one of my goals is to do a trip with each, Buddy and Princess. Just one mother/son trip and one mother/daughter trip before they marry, start families and get more caught up in their own lives.

I’m happy that Buddy and Princess are receptive to my dream and willing to work with me to make these trips happen.

Buddy and I are eyeing the fall of 2015. My dream trip with him is to cycle on Vancouver Island. I’ve always loved cycling and want to make this trip while I’m still confident on a bike. I wonder if he doubts my ability to keep up. I can’t wait to show him.

Back in 2012, The Consultant, who is my best travel companion, and I were in Paris and kept saying, “Wouldn’t Princess love this?” This being The Orsay Museum, The Montmartre area where the artists hung out back in the day, the unique restaurant in the little pink house.

Half the fun is the planning! Any suggestions?
Half the fun is the planning!
Any suggestions?

So, it’s ideal that Princess is training for a competitive lifesaving event, Rescue 2014, in Montpellier, France next week. How simple it will be to fly to Paris from Montpellier after the swim meet. Paris. Ten glorious days with my daughter.

My heart races at the thought of going back. This is the first trip to Europe for Princess. I imagine she’ll help me see it through new eyes. I hope she loves it as much as I do.

She and I have been doing the mother/daughter thing for twenty-three years now. It’s going to be interesting to see how we make out as travel companions. I predict we’ll get to know each other in a different light.

Today I said, “I wonder how we’ll do as travel companions.” Princess predicts, “Oh we’ll get along, we’ll argue and it’ll just be one fabulous time.” She’s probably right and I’m sure we’ll have no regrets.

We’ll keep you posted. 🙂

As a mother of two grown children, I am transitioning through the empty nest and embracing my writing life. My desire is to connect family by sharing legacy stories and my hope is that I inspire you to do the same. Together with my children, we venture into new lives, full of optimism and excitement!

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