More than 25 years ago, before I got married, I had a desire to go to Europe, being an art student you can imagine how much I wanted to touch the ancient history, be witness to the magnificent architecture, nature and culture of the “Old World”. I had my savings and a rough idea of when I could embark on the trip that would change my life story.
Well, then my plans were shattered when the family had a problem and my mother asked me to “lend” her my saved money during this hardship. I don’t have to tell you that after that, life then got in the way. I finished college, got married, moved to U.S., had kids, and thought I might do that trip after the kids grow up and we could afford it.
For a while now, I’ve thought that trip was not going to happen for many years to come because of husband’s job, my job, my business, budget constraints, and time. But an unexpected call from a friend changed that and I was offered a trip to Europe, everything paid, just needed to pay the plane ticket changes, and go. I knew I had to make some sacrifices but this opportunity was not going to come around again. But what about hubby? What about the business? and my job?
I thought it was selfish to go and leave my husband behind, for 4 weeks! yikes! and if the school where I teach would not hold my job position for me for that long, and I needed that money, specially if I was going away for so long without making any money. That would also mean to disregard the business for almost a month… would the customers understand? would they leave? will they wait after making an order? will they read that I’m not around and not freak out when the order didn’t arrive?
Let me tell you that I was pull different directions for 3 weeks. My first talk to my husband though, was a relief since he hold my hands, look at my eyes and said “YOU SHOULD GO“, don’t worry about me. I don’t care about traveling all over the world, that’s your thing, your dream, then winking at me and a smile he said: “BUT you are NOT allowed to go to Puerto Rico alone”, that’s a trip I want us to go together. That has been his dream, so I guess I will have to do that sacrifice in the future for him <chuckle>. When I mentioned this comment to my Puerto Rican friend, she sang to me “Quiero pasar mi luna de miel en Puerto Rico“, which is a famous song about spending the honeymoon in Puerto Rico. I think we will someday… spend a second honeymoon there.
My kids and my mom also encourage me to go and don’t miss it. My boss said it was OK, my teacher position was going to be waiting for me and they could give me extra hours before and after the trip to compensate for the loss wages. So I made the decision to go, I paid the fees for the changes, I worked long hours to leave everything mostly set. After leaving my daughter in college; yes! and packing my mom for her trip back to home (she was here few months for visit) I was getting ready myself to leave.
I will be visiting Italy, Sweden, Denmark among other European countries in this amazing time-off experience. So what do you think? should I have let this opportunity pass me by? What would you have done in my place?
