Trying to Smell the Roses

by Alison

It’s day 19 of our 28 day trip. This is the point in every trip where I try to kill myself cramming in all that I can. It is when I start whining about how I’m not ready for it to end.

This time I want to go home badly. My dad has been getting weaker and weaker until they had to take him to the emergency room last night.

When it’s 7am in Paris, that time difference to the central U.S. makes you feel like you may as well be on Mars. I walked for 4 hours this morning waiting for it to be “not too early” there.

Now I’m staring out the window of my apartment into a clear Paris sky and all I can think about is going home. I did get an update. My dad is home. He’s not better but at least he’s home.

I’m going to will myself to get up and go outside into the streets of Paris and continue to find joy in the little things. It’s what my dad expects of me. “You got to take time to smell the roses”, he used to say. He’d laugh right now if I could tell him how many miles I’ve walked in two weeks (117). And he would be pretty proud. So as much as I’d like to sit here and weep, I’m going to continue to have this Paris journey.

This journey. At the end of the day it is our journey that defines who we are. We are all headed for the same destination.

Categories: Aging, Family, ParisTags: , , , ,

30 Comments

  5. I know it has to be stressful for you to be in Europe while your father’s health is failing. Try to remember that you are living your life the way he wants you to live it. My father died of cancer at the age of 66. He regretted that he had put off traveling until his retirement years — and then he wasn’t able. He told his children not to make that same mistake. So soak up as much of Paris as you can in the remaining days of your trip and spend some quality time with your dad when you get home. Entertain him with stories of your adventures.

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  7. I know it is so hard watching our parents grow old and following their path in life, even as we wish it wasn’t to the end. As stated above, both your mom and dad are traveling with you on your journey and always will. Keep on keeping on, friend, and know they are so proud of everything you do!

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  8. It sounds like you need a big hug and a shoulder to cry on, so sending lots of love to you. Can’t you go home a bit earlier? That’s what I would do. All the best to your dad. Sending virtual roses your way too and, as it happens, my maiden names is Rosales, which means rose trees. 🌹 🌹 🌹 Hope you can smell them.

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    1. Ah, thanks. I have trip insurance but it doesn’t pay unless my dad was to stay in the hospital so I’m just going to stay here unless I hear he is getting worse. Thanks for the beautiful bouquet!

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    1. Thank you, friend. We are fine. Blocks away from the incident but we were home in bed when we started hearing the news. There have been lots of police and military on the streets and we assumed it was either a credible terrorist threat or the unrest being caused by political rhetoric. The election for first round is this Sunday.

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  10. I wish you were staying just a week longer. After following your posts this trip, I would have loved to have met up for a coffee on my visit.

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      1. We don’t come until 5/12. We’re coming to move my daughter home for the summer. We will be staying a week because it’s my boyfriend’s first time even leaving the US!

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      2. So she did come here for school. I never heard for sure. I hope she’s loved it. I think it’s the best place in the whole world (that I’ve visited). Enjoy your stay!

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      3. Ah yes. She is finishing her freshman year. This will be her only summer coming home since she was in “campus housing” (school arranged apartment). After this, she has her own flat and will be staying during the summers.

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