This “gift” is never more apparent than when traveling with the family. For most of our collective existence, I have taken on the responsibility of making all travel arrangements, plotting out our agendas, planning for our every need, and packing…for all of us. I don’t mind. In fact, I revel in the details and minutiae! It sure beats hearing, “Mom, I forgot to pack any underwear,” or “Honey, do you know where my swim suit is?” Avoiding as many of the inevitable panic attacks resulting from missing “stuff”, is always my goal. Being able to relax and enjoy a drama-free vacation is only attainable though a great deal of preparation ahead of time!
This is not to say every trip has been completely successful. There was the time we left a bag on the sofa in our hurry to get out the door. This bag just happened to contain my husband’s scuba equipment in it, and it was needed on day three of our trip. We realized our blunder when we arrived at the airport one bag short, but it was too late for a fire drill. We spent the next several hours trying to coordinate with our neighbor to get the bag shipped next day air to us, for delivery in time for our excursion. Ultimately, the crisis was averted, but not without significant expense and emotional turmoil. Whew!!
And, there was the time I left my driver’s license in the security line at our departure airport. Unfortunately, I didn’t discover this massive misstep until I arrived at our destination and tried to pick-up the rental car. That rental car guy must’ve been feeling awfully generous, as he rented me the car anyway! The next several hours were spent talking with TSA agents, Homeland Security, and airport Lost and Found personnel. After much consideration, I showed up for my return flight without a single form of photo identification. As punishment for my error, I was publicly ostracized and forced to endure a very thorough pat-down, complete with fingertip swabs and the total emptying of my baggage contents. Left to pick-up the innards of my bags with the only remaining shred of dignity I could muster, I made my way to the gate in time to catch our flight. Yikes!!
Notice, in both those cases, the issues were not the result of lack of planning or poor packing and preparation! And, it’s stories like these that bring humor and light and magic into our memorable adventures together!
For the most part, I cover just about everything. Because of my anxiety, my imagination runs amok, allowing/forcing me to take every possible (and implausible) scenario into account. And I giggle (sometimes out loud) when the inevitable questions pop-up, suggesting I may have missed something. As if. “Where’s my GoPro? I know I left it on the table!” In the camera bag. Along with your watch and all coordinating chargers. “Where’s my favorite travel pillow?” In the carryon. Along with chewing gum, granola bars, and our boarding passes. I've entertained two such calls while writing this article!
Weather is ever-changing, so regardless of our destination or time of year, everyone gets shorts, pants, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and rain gear. Florida in July? At least one sweatshirt. Upper Michigan in January? Three different jackets, including a windbreaker. You just never know!
So, here we are. About to embark on another family adventure. I’ve been waking up around 3am for the past week and a half, nearly hyperventilating at the thought of forgetting something…or someone (yep, I had the “Home Alone” nightmare the other night!). The neighbor has been schooled in watering the garden. The stop-mail service has been issued. The bags have been packed and weighed. The lists have been checked. Three times. All boarding passes, itineraries, and reservations have been printed. The Dramamine and allergy pills have been set out. The alarm is set for 3am. Let vacation begin! And remember to BREATHE!!