Once in a Lifetime OR I Never Go Anywhere

I have heard that there are things that can happen only once in a lifetime. I heard this from my son when he was looking for “an early birthday present” in order to go on spring break. First it was a once in a lifetime trip to Florida. Then a once in a lifetime trip to Mexico. Then a once in a lifetime trip to Florida. Oops. How can that be? Well, this time it would be legal to drink and that would make the whole trip different.

I, too, have had a once in a lifetime trip to Mexico. It really was the third time I was in Mexico, but Acapulco was much nicer than the border town I was in the second time I went to Mexico. And the trip was much longer. And it was a twenty-fifth anniversary trip. So it was once in a lifetime.

I’ve been on a once in a lifetime Caribbean cruise. The best part of that was that it was free. Not only free, but we got spending money, too. The cruise ship stopped in Mexico. I was looking for a rosary for my mother. I asked natives for a ”rosario.” Nothing. I tried “Ave Maria” and nada. I went to Latin, “In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.” Ahh, “rosario.” Yeah.

Then I’ve been to Canada for once in a lifetime trips a few times. I went while I was in high school and that was really fun. I’ve been to Niagara Falls twice. I only remember once, but I’m told in no uncertain terms that I’ve been twice.

Then I had a truly once in a lifetime trip to Ireland with my sisters and OUR mother. The four of us toured the island and it was as much fun watching Mom as looking at the beautiful scenery and learning about the country. We went all over and saw dis and dat.

Now, we are planning a trip to Alaska. This is a combination cruise, for one week, and train/bus trip for a second week. The plan is to fly up, sail, up, and bus and train up, right up to the highest point in the USA, but we will only look at Denali mountain.

I’m usually pretty dang cheap when it comes to spending money on a vacation. I think of all the concrete things I could purchase instead and I shudder. But there is nothing that would replace Mom getting to kiss the Blarney Stone by proxy. The memories of the trip, the pictures, the stories, the scrapbook – all are tangible concrete things. From my once in a lifetime trip.

I plan the same for this next adventure. I will stockpile pictures, stories, memories. I will create another scrapbook. I can’t wait.