I have done more than inherit Mom’s preferences, she raised me with her habits. As a career teacher, she loved the outdoors of BC and elsewhere to a degree that getting into the woods was probably the single greatest benefit of being a teacher who had her summers off. I grew up knowing that at least a couple of weeks every year needed to be spent on the road– and preferably in the bush.
Well, Mom and I have been able to camp several times since she moved home with me. But we have not been able to properly travel, mostly out of my own sense of being overwhelmed by the possibility. But tomorrow morning Donna and I leave to visit with a great pair of friends– Linda and Petr– on Texada island, one of the few islands in the Gulf of BC that Mom has not previously visited.
We’ll go for five nights– this seems like a viable and proper trial run. Mom deserves to do what she wants, but it is my job to decipher what is wish based on prior experience, and what is realistic and still a good pleasure for her to indulge in.
She has spoken recently a few times about returning to her beloved Cuba. I think this is not only a possible good “vacation” for her, but it could even provide us with a chance to make a real difference based on her ability to express her own impressions of life in such a manner.
But before I’m willing to drag Mom across the planet, let’s try going across small segments of the ocean. She can see new places and yet be at home in BC simultaneously. With good friends this will go well almost assuredly. But the bigger question is: Can Mom merely “get through” such a visit? Or will it show me more of her vital smile?
Well, by this time next week Donna will have taught me this next lesson. I’ll share it all with you, after she corrects any mistakes I make along the way.