If Old Suitcases Could Talk
Posted by Dr. Judy at 3:00 am
© 2010 Dr. Judy Krings
Having just gotten back from Cuba, then 24 hours later leaving after the winter in Puerto Vallarta, I am now back to Wisconsin. I’ll soon be back on a plane headed for Delaware to see Mom. Whew! So you can see why suitcases come to mind.
I had to share this with you. Mom’s old suitcase. I found it up the attic while cleaning out her home when she unexpectedly had to go to Assisted Living.
But this was not just any suitcase. It was the hope and diligence suitcase that changed Mom’s life. The shocking roam-the-world suitcase that signaled her total shift in life perspective. But let me take you back to the beginning of the story.
Mom, a secretary who always worked extra side jobs, couldn’t imagine going overseas. She memorized National Geographics photos instead. As she put it, “Poor secretaries don’t go to Europe, Judy!” Until a gift horse magically pranced into her life. And it galloped up harnessed with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
When I was a Roanoke College senior working 3 jobs, Professor Masters, fine arts college professor and a bit of a rogue with a mischievous grin, was taking 50 college kids to study art history on a month long trip to all the European capitals. He had graciously given me a scholarship. A dream come true.
Mom, “a little farm girl from Delaware” had never really traveled. She and Daddy had taken only one, couple-day vacation in Cuba in 1954. We were in Florida visiting a sick uncle. They took the ferry over to Cuba. OK, so now you know why my going to Cuba a few days ago was so important to me. And, yes, I will tell you about my trip very soon. But I digress…
Prof. Masters asked if my mom would like to be a chaperone. Mom was in shock, but her boss, a retired general, ordered her to take advantage of the opportunity. So we went and had the time of our lives. After that trip, Mom saved her money. She kicked her optimism strength into gear and shifted her, “But I am poor!” to “I will save all my extra part-time jobs money and travel”.
The following year, Mom got the thrill of her life. As one of his favorite all-time travelers, Professor Masters decided to take one more trip. The swan song of his 50 travel years. Not just any trip, but a flying trip around the world. He did the trip at cost, so all his favorite travel buddies could afford it. I was in grad school and couldn’t miss class, but I was ecstatic for Mom.
This suitcase carried within it Mom’s hopes and dreams. Her newly-found courage to explore. And did she ever! Her last trip alone, at age 89, was to Puerto Vallarta to see Ken and I. Even deafness and vertigo never stopped her.
I used this suitcase for the last time this winter. When we got home from Puerto Vallarta, the leather strap broke. But the old security strap stayed in place. Setting this suitcase out to pasture was almost like putting down a pet. Bittersweet, but time to let go. Forty years of wonder.
So Mom, here is a tribute to all our incredible journeys together. At 91, she will tell you that the best part of her life was when she traveled. She’d go on a shoestring budget, but she would go.
Just let ‘er rip.
Be like Mom.
Give life a go!
Teresa Gereaux
says:
Judy,
Thanks for sharing this story. This story brought tears to my eyes. So glad your mom got to live big. Now I understand where you get your love for life.