Take the Trip
Making Memories with Those You Love
It’s easy to list all the reasons to put off taking a trip; money, time, hassle, health, the overwhelming amount of planning it takes, the kids are too young, it’s too late, its a little bit scary, we don’t speak the language, or even its too extravagant or selfish. But I can unequivocally tell you none of these reasons outweigh what you gain when you just go. The memories, experiences and deeper relationships that come with both the “perfect” and “disaster” vacation makes all the reasons not to travel fall by the wayside. You come back fro traveling tired but refreshed. You grow. You learn about yourself and the ones you love. And the memories you bring back are forever. From just one trip I took as a teenager nearly 25 years ago with my family I have so many rich memories that connect me to everyone I traveled with.
One of my favorite memories of my grandmother was when she took the whole family to Walt Disney World while I was in college. Meme decided a year after Grandfather died that she was taking us all (aunts, uncles, cousins, grandkids) as a tool to combat her grief and year of mourning. She had always wanted to visit Disney World but didn’t travel much at all and never splurged on extravagant things, especially for herself. But We stayed at Disney’s Grand Floridian Hotel and ate at Victoria & Albert’s, the fanciest restaurant I had ever been to. We experienced so many moments on that trip that our family still brings up and laughs about 25 years later. But my strongest memory from that trip was the utter joy she felt after riding Splash Mountain. Meme wasn’t the type of person who loved roller coasters. In fact, they scared her to death, but she was determined to ride it and was so proud of herself afterward that we took a picture of her triumphantly posing in front of the final drop. Almost immediately after we got off the ride, we stumbled upon the parade cutting through Adventure Land. We stopped and watched and she cried with joy; at a lifelong dream come true, and moving on from grief if even just a little, of feeling like a little kid again. And I cried with her, full of appreciation, that I was with her and got to experience those moments with her. To this day I remember all the details.
There were blisters (my sister and I watched in astonishment when out of nowhere my mom passed us all by in line pushing my younger sister in a wheelchair because of those “crippling” blisters) and a snooty hotel clerk and too-tired children crying and everyone complaining. My youngest sister washed her blonde hair with my mother’s color tinted shampoo and became a redhead for the next two weeks. And I’m pretty sure my cousins remember our one night out without the kids or the “old” people and I forgot my ID so we couldn’t go inside the club.
The money spent on that trip is long gone (and it was significant), but those memories have not diminished one iota in my heart. I remember and know better each cousin, each sibling, each parent and especially my grandmother because we were smushed together and experienced fun and new things and lived life together just for a week. Our dearest Meme and Kellie are no longer with us. We lost them both way too early, Meme from an aneurysm and Kellie from a vicious brain cancer. But I thank the Lord for that time we had together. Their laughs and smiles are still with me forever. That trip was a gift to each of us that has continued to give for decades.
Even when things go all wrong, the trip is worth it. Its in those moments that we teach our kids, (and ourselves) to look on the bright side, count our blessings, practice patience and grace, embrace unexpected adventures, step outside of our comfort zone, try something new and learn to problem solve. Traveling forces us to grow. We learn what we like and what we don’t like. We learn how much we love our friends and how much we love home.
So for every reason you have to not take the trip, my answer is just go. If its overwhelming, hire an expert, A good travel advisor is passionate about what they do and will take care of you from beginning to end. They will handle the details so you can just show up to have fun and they can navigate the myriad needs of a large group. If its too expensive, make a budget, book it far in advance and make payments. Or pick you dream location and scale back the number of days you’re there. If you’re scared, find your courage. Be brave and book your bucket list destination or experience. Go to Europe or Japan or the Greek Isles or Egypt and a read a fabulous novel set in that location while doing it. Take the cooking class or learn to scuba dive or get really wild and bungee off a bridge. If its a different language, get Google Translate. I’ve had whole conversations passing my phone back and forth between two people who shouldn’t be able to communicate but we do anyways. It’s magical technology. If you’re nervous, reframe it as excitement. If health is an issue don’t wait till its even harder. Go somewhere where you can take care of yourself. There are so many hotels and retreats that will take care of you, mind and body. Travel is good for the soul. The joy is worth it. The memories are worth it. You are worth it. Your family will be blessed.
Just go.
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Written by:
Tawny Cooper
Pixie Vacations
Featured:
2023 Q2 Edition of Brighter.
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