By JoDell Haverfield, Have Travel Memories
One of my earliest and fondest memories as a child was shopping with my mother. It seems silly now, but mother used to buy my sister and I matching dresses, lovingly referred to as “big sister – little sister dresses.” This experience always instilled in me a state of happiness, especially when we stopped for banana splits on the way home! My mother loved clothes and hats with matching purses, and she found just as much joy in dressing her two daughters as she did herself. She had rigid fashion rules like never wear white shoes after September 1, but my favorite rule was, “At least a few new clothes are a must for every trip!”
Times change and children grow up, but the common theme we have is our memories. I have always felt it was important as a mother to instill as many happy memories for my children as I can, even though life may not always present them. I am so thankful for my memories of my wonderful mother and not just on Mother’s Day. My readers may assume from my editorials that I had a storybook childhood filled with travel. The truth is I have never met my father. It was my sister’s father who provided for us most of the amazing travel opportunities I often write about, but it was my mother who provided the wonderful memories.
Our memories are often what makes us who we are. Whether they’re good or not, it’s what we choose to make of them. My favorite memories growing up were of travel and that is probably why I have worked in the travel industry for nearly 30 years. I have been determined to make travel memories for my children as well as my grandchildren. When we all get together our conversations always turn to the trips we’ve taken.
It seems I have done a fair amount of packing so far this year. Last week, Dave and I decided to test out a recently announced cruise from Mobile. Since before covid there’s been a long battle over the Mobile Cruise Terminal. Now it seems there might be cruising from there again. Our cruise sailed at 60 percent capacity, which is pretty much the norm right now as cruising returns to normal. Cruising will continue from Alabama until October and return with a newer ship in 2023. Mobile is probably the most convenient cruise terminal I have ever been through. From arriving to parking to checking in, we were very pleased with our experience. You might even say “it was smooth sailing all the way!”
I mentioned last month that we recently sailed with my 94-year-old mother-in-law to see something she has always wanted to see, Chichen Iza, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was so rewarding to see her joy. This spring, we also went cruising with our second son and his wife to the beautiful Virgin Islands, which they had never visited. It’s very rewarding to be able to spend time with them just one on one. In May we will enjoy one of the most elegant styles of travel as we cruise the rivers of Europe. This will be a new experience and I will tell you all about it when I return.
Dave and I will sail on a sleek vessel through treasured cities like Budapest, Vienna and Munich while touring castles and sampling fine cuisine. Traveling through Europe by river reveals a fresh new perspective for most any traveler, whether seasoned or not. Imagine while you’re sipping a drink from your stateroom your backdrop is always something to marvel over – from fortresses standing high atop hills to quiet, charming villages below. Not only can you cross through several cities and towns, but you’ll also be able to count off multiple countries in one voyage. I can’t wait!! I only wish we were able to share it with some of our family.
If you think about it, anyone can vacation but not everyone can make memories. As we come off two of the worst years we’ve had in the world of travel, think about what it takes to really build memories.
If your mother is alive, ask her about her memories.
Happy Mother’s Day 2022! – JoDell CEO at Have Travel Memories Vacations
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