A belated celebration

[Image credit: nuttakit]

Old as she was, she still missed her daddy sometimes. ~ Gloria Naylor

For the past three years since my mom passed away, I’ve made a concerted effort to get back home to spend the holiday with my dad.  This year, however, my work scheduled prevented long distance travel over the weekend.  Although, he’ll no doubt have my three sisters with him, it is still hard for me to forego his special day.  I still plan to call him to hear his voice, and in just a few days we’ll have our own face-to-face belated celebration.  But belated or not, as long as I make the most of the time we do share when we’re together, it’s like one big party.  Thankfully, this was one of those instances I made a decision and stuck to it, because it turns out life has gotten a bit crazier.  I think had I not booked my travel arrangements well in advance, there might never have been a good time to “get out of Dodge.”  With that said, Happy Father’s Day to all the Daddies out there.  Enjoy.

Do you avoid making plans simply because there isn’t a good time?

Deviating from the norm

[Image credit: digitalart]

One of my goals for this year is to travel more.  More than what? you may ask.  Just more.  Last year, I was fortunate to spend 10 magical days in the southeast along the gulf on my eat, pray, love journey, and then another 10 days in the Midwest with my dad and as many family and friends as time allowed.  Since starting my job last fall, however, I’ve had to revisit my planning for 2012 (shorter, more frequent trips).  So far this year I’ve spent a long weekend in the Midwest, with another mini-getaway on the calendar and — fingers crossed — a road trip with a dear friend.  For my most recent trip, I organized everything to a T (although the weather didn’t completely cooperate).  But it was more stressful having to stick to an agenda than play things by ear.  So for my upcoming travels, I plan to try something different: not make plans.  No Franklin, no set schedule, just fly by the seat of my pants.  As long as I see my best man, I’ll be more than good.

Do you plan your trips from start to finish, or is it more fun to watch them unfold as they will?