Legacy

Coming off a week of adventure and bonding with my oldest is a bit trippy. Macy travels like me with a backpack and a carry on. And we both seek out adventure like my mother once did. We try to fill up every minute of our journey with exploration and connections (although we did manage to squeeze in a half day of chilling because we were exhausted). Our trip would have made my mother proud that her adventure genes are strong and will be passed down to future generations.

(J.P. had lunch with my mother three times this past week and shared smiles and laughter via our pictures and stories. Mom remarked upon Macy’s beauty.)

While climbing the ancient temples of Tikal in Guatemala and hiking, swimming and bouldering the ATM (an incredible cave in Belize with Mayan offerings and sacrifices which increased during an extended period of drought perhaps caused by deforestation hundreds of years ago), we learned history, anthropology, economics, the impact of agricultural practices and population on climate, sociology and even math from our guides. We also discussed current local and world politics as well as global ties (& unfortunately, the Coronavirus & its potential negative impact on tourism and jobs around the world).

And we connected with our fellow travelers by sharing stories, local cocktails, meals, laughter and through helping each other navigate rock climbing. Late night discussions with strangers who become fast friends, are always an immeasurable blessing.

I love watching Macy navigate physical and social experiences with incredible self-confidence, humility and an appreciation for the lives and opinions of others. (She was also so very happy that the drinking age in Belize is 18 as she was able to enjoy a Belikin beer after zip lining and rum punch after diving and snorkeling.)

Sometimes when I watch her, I imagine my mother had similar thoughts about me… wonder and fear. Hoping that the next generation will be safe and happy and wishing them freedom and opportunities. And with all launching moments, fear of the inevitable failures. Hoping they will bring more lessons of learning and love than pain.

Watching your young people adult and become self-sufficient. Respectful of other approaches to life. Open hearts and minds and an easy laugh and shared things in common. Crossing physical and emotional borders. Absolute love.

My mother used to share the story of an aunt who had worked hard her entire life and never left her small rural farming community in Canada. She and her husband had purchased an RV and planned to tour Canada and the states after they retired. She died of cancer two weeks after retiring and was never able to enjoy the RV. My mother would speak of this profound horror in hushed and cautious tones noting the importance essence value of enjoying life in the moment. Even if resources are limited and you must camp or rely on the kindness of strangers, you have to, are obligated by any all means necessary, to get out there and see and experience anything everything possible. It is vital essential for your mental health and attitude and your knowledge and respect of others. It allows formation and transformation of you as a person and your soul and your adaptability resiliency and response to all human conditions. Do not wait for the right time or you may not have time left.

(Mom was forever grateful for the experiences she shared with my dad and would often speak of their ridiculous camping tour through Europe with an infant that would be me. They were congratulated by the other members of their camp, I think in Italy but perhaps elsewhere, when Americans first landed on the moon.)

Travel takes you to new places but it also takes you out of your own head. To navigate circumvent adapt adjust relate, uses a whole other part of your brain. Your senses are alive as you process new feedback responses sounds sights smells and fabulous tastes. To learn how to be outside of your normal. To observe and rationalize and conjecture what it would be to walk in another’s shoes or bare feet or to live another way being belief. Allows you to weigh consider evaluate your own. Process analyze what does and does not work in your current scenario situation. What you need. What is essential. What is essence. Breathe in and out other options possibilities opportunities. Provides a defined time space to be mindful of all humanity and our place in the world and the connectedness of all living breathing creatures.

And as I watch my child whom I carried and nurtured and loved, grow into her own being self. Amazement incredulity happiness. I exhale. Knowing that somewhere, even and in spite of all other static and clutter. Something I did was right and true and resulted in this beautiful compilation of moments I will never forget. Watching my purple butterfly soar above treetops and find her way. With her own inspiration and resting places. With her own thoughts and imaginings and anything everything.

Makes me think I might have done something right along the way.

(And as a bonus, Ella and J.P. enjoyed a week together although they both had work and one also had school. When I asked Ella this morning if she had to choose one adult to spend a week with her, who would she pick… she told me it was better if I did not ask the question because I would not like the answer. Not only did J.P. pass all parenting tests, he surpassed. And they had a lovely time together. This. Love. Is winning.)

(Picture taken at Tikal in Guatemala; this view was used as a backdrop for the opening of the 4th Star Wars movie, although a bit modified.)