Why a light suitcase?

When I was 7 years old, my parents made a trip to Europe. My dad had served in the Army in Germany when I was young and they missed it and the economy at the time allowed them to buy two German vehicles, ship them back to the U.S. and sell them for enough to nearly cover our trip expenses. (The whole trip cost them $800.)

But rather than drop us with Grandma and Grandpa and jet off to Dusseldorf they made a fateful decision. They took my 16-month old brother and me along.  We spent two weeks in Europe, trying to find an affordable hotel in St. Moritz, trying to get to a safe hotel in Amsterdam on New Year's Eve and being offered numerous chocolate bars for "die kinder" all over Germany.

We had a car for most of the trip but we did have a few legs after we shipped our vehicle to the States when we had to take the train. And with a baby, a stroller, and luggage, I was handed the responsibility of the overnight case. In retrospect I was handed a very light suitcase, but to a 7-year old, it was weighty. And when we boarded the train as it started to move and my dad reached back to lift me and my case up, I was hooked. Hooked on the drama of travel and on having my own luggage in hand. Many of my traveling companions through the years might say I was a little hooked on cutting my connections very close.

When I look at the trip from my parents perspective I feel misery. Our return flight took more than 24 hours due to a series of mishaps including being short on fuel and frozen luggage compartment doors. I was so tired I soaked the airplane seat in the middle of the night. All those things as parents that are stressful and hard. But to a kid....It was MAGIC. I was a little embarrassed about the airplane seat but I was never worried.

These days when I think of traveling with my own young children, I get a little stressed out. But I still want to do it. Because I remember what it was like to be their age and get a look at a bigger world. It is a thirst that never ends.

These days, I travel a little less than I would like. I live vicariously when I plan a trip for one of my clients or help answer a friend's question about how to choose a vacation rental. And I try to keep life's suitcase light and not burdened with so many things that we can't afford a getaway or a trip someday.

And when my 7-year old pulls up Google Maps and says "Mom, can we go to Rome, right after we get to DisneyWorld?" I answer: "You'll go there someday, buddy. And when you do, please take me with you."