I always write about my personal travel experiences, but this post is a bit different. It`s still travel related, but very personal and family related.
I remember it like it was yesterday. Today, exactly one year ago, I left for Barcelona to join a blogtrip in Spain. I`d just landed and was on my way from the airport to the hotel, when I got a phone call from my mom. – When that happens I already know something odd is going on. Not that I don`t speak to her during my travels, but I`m the one who lets her know I`ve made it safely or am doing okay. – I pick up the phone and already feel this isn`t a call I want to take. In short, she tells me there`s been a death in the family…totally unexpected. He was training to be a pilot, crashed with his plane and didn`t survive.
Time stood still and I remember saying “That`s not possible, I only saw him last night”. Tears welled up and I cried the entire ride. I just couldn`t believe what just happened.
Then the practical stuff comes. Do you fly back immediately or do you stay and do your job? It was a tough decision because you want to be there for your family, supporting and helping them, but on the other hand, there are people counting on you to do your job. Conversations between family went on and I even asked advice from fellow travel bloggers… After going back and forth I decided to stay until the end of the trip. I would make it on time for the goodbye ceremony and funeral. My family was helping each other and I knew after everything had past, I would still be able to offer my support.
Nevertheless it was a strange experience, participating in all the activities, even laughing sometimes, instantly feeling bad. I was glad someone told me: “Stay on the trip, I`m sure that`s what he`d wanted.” And I`m sure he was right, because my family member was learning to fly, he was following his passion.
If I learned anything from this, it`s that life can be over in a split second. Make the most out of it and to follow your dreams, don`t postpone, he was only 40… life is short.
Pilots never die, they just fly away.
Have you ever gotten bad news while traveling? How did you handle it?
sì, I had.
I was leading a group in Spain in August 2002 and my father phoned me. It should have been a routine call but he also told me that my aunt Carla discovered a bad cancer. She was the one who taught me to love travelling, the one who procured my first job in tourism, the one who rocked my baby when he was ill and I was too tired.
She died a month later, on the 29th September.
I went on working that August, but then I decided to stop travelling for work because I wanted to spend all my time with my baby.
Now he is a teen and we can travel together! 🙂
Thanks Antonella for sharing your story. I`m happy you have a travel partner in crime now 😉 Enjoy!
How very true your poignant reminder at the end of your article for all of us to live in the moment because we just never know what the future brings and how precious life really is…words to live by my friend. I am deeply moved and glad you did what you did.
I really appreciate your kind words Jeff. It`s a pity things like this have to happen to remind us of how fragile life is. I`m guilty of it too! But once and awhile we do realize it and know we have to seize the day!
I can’t believe it’s been a year already. Beautiful post.
Thanks Abi, that means a lot coming from you. And thanks again for your support that day, I don`t think I could have made it through that ride without you!
My story is a bit different. I was living abroad in France for a year and a friend had just arrived from Canada the day before for a visit. We were having a great time when I got a phone call from my mom in Toronto, telling me that my grandfather had died. I was devastated and also in a bind: my mom wanted me to fly back to Toronto for the funeral, but my friend had JUST arrived the day before for her TEN DAY visit! In the end, I went back for the funeral and left my friend in the care of some French friends, who entertained her for the duration of her stay. Terrible, but so glad I went home for the funeral.
I can relate to you Oneika, I didn`t want to miss out on the funeral, because I needed that moment to say goodbye. And the good thing is, people do understand you`re in a tough spot at that moment which helps, but still makes it a hard call to make. Thanks for sharing your story!
Thanks for sharing this, Isabelle! I think a lot of our readers see a glossy, shiny travel world because sometimes we forget to mention all the *real* stuff that still goes on behind the scenes. So far 2012 has been full of those tough phone calls for me, so I can totally relate. Such a tough call, too, to stay and work or head home.
I agree Angie, most of our time traveling as a job it`s fun and I love it, but at moments like this, it`s hard being abroad and not being there to support your family. Sorry to hear it`s been such a tough year for you so far, hopefully all the calls you get in the future will be with good news 🙂