Fly Away

Long ago in a land far far away, before there were kids, I traveled.  I traveled a lot.  I would decide on a Wednesday that by Saturday I wanted to be in a whole different place ...sometimes worlds away from where I was.  I was spontaneous and loved the thrill of discovery found in disembarking a plane in an unfamiliar port.

Brett and I visited many places together, and he discovered the joys of the last-minute flight discounts to anywhere.  For a few years, I was even traveling for work; spending 1-2 weeks each month on one coast or another directing fashion photoshoots or down in Austin, TX, directing kids' shoots.  I was having the time of my life.

By the time I became pregnant with Urban that job was past, but even as parents of a young child we managed to visit a few previously unknown locales.  Then came financial hardship and baby number two.  (In that order.)

No more traveling for us.  The farthest we have gone since then has been the annual trip to a cabin for a week with my in-laws.  And this year, we don't even get that.  Oh, everyone else is at the cabin, but after a big move, Brett and I do not have the vacation time for cabin fun this year.

Luckily, generous Uncle Jason offered to still take Urban up for a few days of fun with his grandparents and cousins.  It was a wonderful gift for him.  He helped me through my travel rituals performed on his behalf.  We started by making a list of all the things he would need for three days at the cabin - swim trunks, sunscreen, his blankie, a fishing pole...  I taught him about packing extra underwear "just in case" and why he should have two swim suits so he would never have to wear a wet one.  We put stars next to the things that would have to be purchased and proceeded to load the rest into is primary-colored rolling bag.  It was great.  I loved it.  Packing the night before in anticipation of a big journey – the excitement of the adventure that lay ahead – I was in my element.

So, this morning, as I made my twice-daily trip past the airport on my way to work, is it any wonder this thought popped in my head - "I wonder how far $500 would get me, if I just walked in and bought a ticket..."  I glanced in the rearview mirror at Beringer munching on cocoa puffs.

Yeah, not today...  But someday we'll travel again.  Someday...