Even though I don’t know when, I am. Let me tell you why.
My Dad didn’t enjoy going to Florida. He went because his father, my grandfather, couldn’t take the New England winters anymore because of declining health. So Christmas went to my grandparents in Florida. Thaose were the warmest Christmases I’ve ever had! Pro tip: Be a “tourist.” If you think it’s warm enough for shorts on Christmas, think about going for a swim. 🏊♀️🏊♂️ ☀️
When I asked Dad why he didn’t like Florida he said that he didn’t like the heat.
When I was in college, Dad dropped a bomb 💣 of a surprise: Sick of the Massachusetts winters, he and his girlfriend started going to Hawaiʻi.
That was unexpected.
Every year they went. When they came back Dad you could hear the smile in his voice when talking about his time there.
The people.
The nature.
The food.
Everything else.
He invited me to go my senior year of college. I was interested and curious; warm, tropical 🍍 weather 🌴, nice people and all the stories. I felt I had to decline because of my course credit internship. I could hear the disappointment. Later, I found out he was proud of me for sticking to the internship. That was strike one.
After college, he invited a few times but I couldn’t get the time off from work without losing the job. I didn’t have the savings to go then. Strike two.
They kept going year after year, enjoying it more and more while staying longer and longer.
In Hawai’i for months during the lockdown, he invited me again after travel was possible. I wasn’t comfortable traveling with the way the pandemic was then. Strike three.
He went to the hospital one day, lost consciousness. Talking to him over video, I was hoping Hawai’i would help pull him out. I talked about going back with him.
He died in December. Ballgame.
I couldn’t get out of my own way.
This has been hard to write through my tears.
I am going. I’ve already talked to a travel agent. I have some destinations and restaurants already on an ever growing list. I hope to meet friends of his from his time there and make some of my own.
He thought I would enjoy the people there. I will.
After everything with his passing is settled. I will work to determine when and how getting there is right for my situation.
Ironically, Dad may be paying for it from a small amount of money I inherited.
It’s about honoring him and building for my future.
Have a dream?
- Think about how to do what you know.
- Add in the seeking wise counsel to help with what you need or want help with.
With the help of wise counsel:
- Create an adaptable strategy.
- Save up the money
- Live your dream.
And most importantly: treasure the time you get with those you love.
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