From Quote to Real Life: The Gift of Travel

The world is waiting for us. – Cheryl

Being a teacher and having a creative daughter who loves surprises, I gave Jade an envelope filled with letters to unscramble. When she unscrambled them, she understood what it meant.

We were moving to Egypt.

Excited and overwhelmed with emotion, she, like myself, seeks the gift of travel.

2015-05-21 14.37.57

It is moments like this that make us reminisce.

When Jade was younger, she was obsessed with Egypt. She always asked if we could go and I would respond, with some hesitation, that we might. She knew that it wasn’t in my top 5 or even my top 10 of places to see, so little by little, I heard less and less about Egypt.

Over the years her list of countries she wanted to see would change, but the one common denominator remained. As long as I am always traveling with you. What more could a travel obsessed mom ask for?

2015-03-30 11.23.26A very special THANK YOU to a wonderfully talented woman who writes a blog called My Spanglish Familia for passing on this challenge to me.

I’ve agreed to partake in a challenge in which I post a quote – mine or someone else’s – for 3 consecutive days.

Rules

~ Thank the person who nominated you
~ Pass the “golden whisk” on to 3 people

Transitions In My Life

The Snow Melts Somewhere

When In Turkey

26 comments

  1. Pingback: The 3 Day Quote Challenge-Self-Confidence | Transitions in my Life
  2. Kat · June 12, 2015

    How very sweet! You really can’t ask for much more than that, can you? 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  3. nylonliving · June 11, 2015

    Great idea! My kids love puzzles and they would love this.

    Liked by 1 person

    • lovetotrav · June 11, 2015

      You should try it! It could work for any kind of surprise.

      Like

  4. bestthingsinlife1964 · June 11, 2015

    Cool idea.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Daisy9979 · June 11, 2015

    Great quote and I love the story with it. Thanks for nominating me! I accept the challenge! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  6. snowsomewhere · June 11, 2015

    Like mother, like daughter, it appears! 🙂 That is such an awesome photo, you really captured “happy surprise”!

    Liked by 1 person

    • lovetotrav · June 11, 2015

      I was a bit shocked as she is now a teenager and I wasn’t expecting such emotion. It told me she was clearly on board.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. joannesisco · June 11, 2015

    Neither Gilles or I travelled as kids with our parents. On the other hand, our boys travelled extensively with us. I believe that giving our children a “gift of the world” was one of the most valuable things we ever gave them – second only to their education. Even as adults, they would love to continue travelling with us if given the opportunity.
    How wonderful that your children feel the same way 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • lovetotrav · June 11, 2015

      It is wonderful. We are planning a trip to Cambodia this Xmas and our oldest is still wanting to figure out a way to come, despite 2 jobs etc. It means a lot to us as well 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      • joannesisco · June 11, 2015

        That’s exactly what I mean ❤ It is such a huge compliment to us that our kids like to do stuff with us 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      • lovetotrav · June 11, 2015

        I agree 🙂 It would make me so sad if otherwise.

        Liked by 1 person

  8. any1mark66 · June 11, 2015

    Great quote. I think I could write using sticky notes. But 26 letters isn’t much.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Cindy · June 11, 2015

    So because I’m the way I am ( a worrywart, I’m working on it) ..I have to ask.. Do you have any concerns about moving to Egypt at this time?

    Liked by 1 person

    • lovetotrav · June 11, 2015

      I have a lot of experience living in more challenging countries (South Africa and Cambodia during heated elections) so I am cautious and do research on the ground when I am in a country. I also know that things can go awry in my own country (Can.) as recently a plot to shoot in a local shopping mall was unveiled and discovered, thankfully before it happened. I think that “dangerous situations” are potentially present in lots of locales these days, unfortunately. We won’t be living in downtown Cairo. We are way in the suburbs away from any potential demonstrating etc. And if I see or hear of such a thing, we will stay far away from it. After years of travelling and living overseas, I have learned to be very aware of my surroundings and environment. I have been teaching our daughters to do the same, even here in Canada. I do understand your concerns. We will not be sightseeing in areas of Egypt that I deem or others deem unsafe. (the Sinai for example) In the meantime, it gives us proximity to other countries to travel in while we live there. Interestingly, my daughter had only 2 major concerns: Saudi Arabia for its limitations on female movement and US for its school shootings.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Cindy · June 11, 2015

        SO TRUE! and so sad to hear your daughter’s (valid) concerns about the US. It really does seem as if the whole world is off its axis..You gotta live your life.. the way I look at it is: when it’s your time, it’s your time…no matter where you are! I do applaud you though for being so willing to merge into a culture that is so profoundly different on so many levels. I’m sure there will be some things (most likely at the market 😬) that you will have to get used to. I can remember seeing stuff at the markets in Spain that almost made me pass out on the spot- what a baby!!) I give you all the credit in the world for being so flexible and “open” ..I hate to admit it, but i become less so every year.

        Liked by 1 person

      • lovetotrav · June 11, 2015

        I so agree. I love markets but some of the markets I have been to have also been devastating. The worst, surprisingly, in S. Korea where I stumbled upon an animal market by accident. It affected me for the entire year that I was there. And now as a vegetarian, I struggle with that even more. We know there will be challenges but we will try to focus on the positives more. Living in a place is so different than travelling and I want her to have that experience with me as well. We have already travelled quite a bit so this will be eye-opening, if nothing else.

        Liked by 1 person

  10. La Sabrosona · June 11, 2015

    Oh my gosh Cheryl. I love this quote and the meaning behind it. Jade is one lucky gal – for having such an amazing mother who will help realize her childhood dream of going to Egypt. You ladies are like Tortillas and guacamole – you are amazing together 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    • lovetotrav · June 11, 2015

      Ahhh thanks so much. And I love love love tortillas and guac so what a great analogy for me!

      Liked by 1 person

      • La Sabrosona · June 11, 2015

        De nada. So very welcome. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

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