When my mom asked me if I was interested in going to Philadelphia with her if she needed to go to take care of business I agreed thinking that there was no way that it was happening. It was one of those things that you assume couldn't possibly work out and that you agree to make her happy.
Well, a week later the trip was definitely happening and she was in the process of booking. I found myself in a pure panic mode for agreeing but sucked it up knowing that there was no way I would let her go alone and that this really could be an incredible opportunity for the two of us to bond.
Two weeks later and lots of packing and repacking we were finally on our way, but of course not without a few bumps in the road.
An hour after I arrived in town and five minutes after loading the car to head to the airport, my mother received a phone call stating that there was ultimately no reason for her to go to Philadelphia anymore and that the business that she needed to be taken care of couldn't happen due to unfortunate circumstances and to just cancel weeks of planning.
She was heartbroken, but I was overjoyed.
I tried convincing her to come back to my house for a week or to get a condo- anything to prevent her from trying to continue to go on this trip. However, she knew in her gut that we were meant to go and insisted that we go and just make a vacation out of it. After all, she did spend weeks preparing had flights and the hotel booked and wasn't going to lose out on all of that money.
Again, I was devastated but tried to be joyful for her knowing that she was thrilled to not only return to her home after 25 years but also bring one of her daughters with her.
From the moment we drove off from her driveway she was smiling from ear to ear and that didn't disappear the entirety of the trip. She held my hand at take off during each flight and gleefully snapped picture after picture ensuring that we had memories to look back on for years.
The second my mom stepped off the plane in Philadelphia she said, "I'm home!" and she truly meant it.
Though I was 100% outside of my comfort zone surrounded by bright lights and a big city she was exactly where she wanted to be and I couldn't help but be thankful that she wanted me to accompany her.
She gave me a reality check our first night there when I sat down at dinner with her and told her that I just couldn't pretend to be happy and enjoy the trip because I just missed my dogs and my husband. I told her that I loved her and I was thankful she wanted me here, but that I was so uncomfortable and just wanted it to fly by.
She, with hurt on her face, stopped and simply said that I needed to just enjoy the time we have because in a weeks time I would be back home with my dogs and husband happily in my routine. She wanted me to be able to enjoy the time and experience we had together. She was so excited and I knew that I needed to suck it up and enjoy it for her. From that moment on- I did!
We made memories that will last a lifetime and did the classic touristy things even though she was born in raised in that city. She introduced me to the best of the best food and we walked more than I ever have before in just a few short days.
I am blessed by my mother who loves passionately and wanted to enjoy this time with me. I am thankful for her honestly and reality checks even though I am 25 years old married in my own home. She will always be my mother and someone who I will never not respect.
I pray that whenever your parent(s), siblings, best friend, or whoever asks you to take a trip with them that you do. I guarantee that no matter the stress or exhaustion that may overcome you during the trip that you'll find much more joy in knowing that the memories you're going to make are irreplaceable and unforgettable.
