“Travel Happy.”
Doctor Who, 2018 Fall Season
Over the years, I have become a diehard Doctor
Who fan. The last doctor I struggled
with because I didn’t care that much for his companions. I am happy to say that I love the new doctor
and her companions. I have heard others don’t like her, my daughter being one
of those people. I happen to think she
is bloody brilliant.
While I was watching the last episode earlier
this month, I realized that I didn’t have a favorite quote. Right after I thought the thought, she turns
to the people she had helped and said, “Travel happy.” I love it.
Now, really there isn’t much to say about this two-word
quote. Travel happy is a simple thought,
but I can’t stop thinking about it. Why
wouldn’t people travel happy? Every time I jump in the vehicle or drive to the
airport, I am happy to be on another adventure.
I always travel happy. Doesn’t everyone?
Okay, sure, I get irritated when traveling. On our trip to Europe this spring, traveling
with a child with mental illness wasn't easy.
In fact, at times it was downright horrible. However, I always was happy to see the new
places. I found beauty in the countryside or the culture, so different from our
own. I still traveled happy.
Then I thought of two of my trips to Kalispell,
Montana in August of 2016. I have driven
this trip, which usually includes continuing to Libby, hundreds of times. The first trip, I knew my dad was extremely
sick. I wasn’t even sure I would make it to the hospital in time to say my
goodbyes. A definite excuse not to
travel happy, but as I drove, I kept his lessons in mind, to always see the
beauty in the countryside. I traveled happy, laced with sadness and a little
panic.
On the second trip, I knew this would be my last
time with Dad. The doctor had called me
home. I had made arrangements with him to do this if Dad’s last procedure
didn’t go well. The doctor’s calm voice
over the cell phone strengthened me. I quickly packed and left in my car.
As I drove, I entered a surreal state of being. I was determined to see all the beauty as I
drove north. On the Helmville road near
the end, I saw a deer off to my left. Her
buckskin coat gleamed in the green field with the sun streaming down. As I turned along the highway that would take
me into Big Fork, I saw cranes splashing in the river. All of this I will remember for life. Even in
the depths of sadness, I traveled happy. I knew my dad would want me to always
travel this way. I shared with him what
I saw. Even now, I share with him, just not face to face.
Yes, I will always travel happy.
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