My husband and I came up with a plan. Since we could not swing it financially to take our children to Europe for their high school graduations--we'd take our grandkids! All eight of them. One at a time, of course, and as a gift for graduation. We thought the plan was ingenious. First, however, we had to let them know that these trips depended on our health. So no promises were made, only dreams.
So, we made plans for our oldest grandson's graduation in June 2020. We bought airline tickets, train tickets, made hotel reservations, and dreamed--until March. And then Covid 19 hit, and all plans were canceled. So, it wasn't until two years later that we finally grabbed Jack, boarded the plane, and took off for Amsterdam and Paris.
Excitement doesn't begin to describe how we all felt. So many emotions. We finally got to travel after 2 years of being stuck at home. Unfortunately, everyone else on the planet (at least it seemed that way) had the same idea that we did. Let's travel! We did not let that dampen our spirits, though. We boarded that plane, and away we went. Amsterdam, here we come. I did feel the need to warn Jack--we'll be tired, jet lagged, homesick, hungry, needing a shower and a nap, and just a little bit grumpy. I didn't lie. That's just how it was. Especially since the room wasn't ready until 3:00pm that afternoon. I'll admit something here--grandpa and grandson did lie down on park benches for a bit. I was embarrassed but totally understood. When you're tired, you're tired.
Traveling with a grandchild all to ourselves was an experience to be savored. We got to know Jack in a new way. Sadly, by the time we left for Europe, he was already 21 years old; however, I was so thankful that he still wanted to travel with his grandparents. He's an "old soul" like me, an INFJ, so he has always been very easy for me to read. As we walked through Amsterdam, going into thrift shops, riding slow canal boats, and eating fantastic food, I knew he was happy. And, by the time we took the train to Paris, he was already an old pro at traveling through Europe. I had the feeling this would not be his last trip.
Paris, as many know, is my favorite city. I've been many times. There isn't one thing about Paris that I do not love. So, when it was a city that he chose to travel to, I was so excited. I was going to get to show him my city. Again, a slight turn of events--a heat wave hit France, and it was horrible. Walking through streets that usually sparkled--they simmered in the heat instead. Also, it was mobbed because people had yet to travel over the last couple of years. I felt like I was visiting Disneyland. Tourists, children, traffic, long lines, humidity, dirty--so disappointing. However, I am the type to make lemonade out of my lemons. I was determined to show him that all was not lost. We made the riverboat rides, museums, and fantastic food as fun as possible. We stopped at many cafes, drank coffee, and just meandered. We were in Paris, after all.
My husband and I have a goal. We want to infect our grandkids with the travel bug. We want them to think of nothing but travel when they get home. We want them to experience other people and cultures and be fearless. For me, the more I travel, the smaller my world gets. The more I travel, the more I want to travel. The more I travel, the more I learn and grow. It's a never-ending gift. And we want to share it with them--our grandchildren.
I hope they will never forget these trips and that, in the future, they share their stories about our European adventures with their children and grandchildren. I'm praying for that. Because in the giving of these trips, they are giving us so much joy. We love them so much, and we are so proud of them. They are all unique and have taught us about themselves and us. Seeing the generational sameness and yet also their differences as young adults--it's an amazing thing to experience.
So, while they are thanking us, we are the ones who are thankful. Our children have done a fantastic job raising their children. We are so blessed. We are so thankful. We are so appreciative. We will be forever grateful.
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