Because I promote different products on my site as an affiliate, I do receive a small commission from the company it takes you to.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However it does not cost more for you to shop on my site. Get some fun things for your trip and enjoy shopping for your Mom’s dream destination!

Our Mother’s, and those of us who are Mothers, all share a dream destination. The good news is, you won’t need to travel to the end of the earth to find it. On a day to day basis I write about specific destinations with tips on how to save money in your travels. However, in honor of the women traveling this journey with us and
with Mother’s Day on the horizon, this is less about a certain destination than it is about a final one. Traveling through life with our families we carry this one true dream in our hearts. So What is your Mother’s dream destination? Sharing mine with you unlocks the answers to that secret.

When I was a teenager, I often wondered what my Mother’s dream was for her life. I used to think ‘everyone wants to BE something, what did she want to be’. I’d watch her run tirelessly into the night, cooking, cleaning, laundry. She’d cart us off to anything she could sign us up for, so our minds wouldn’t grow ‘idle’, as she put it. She’d iron everyone’s clothes, then make sure we got to church on time, run herself to work and still never miss an opportunity to show up for every school function. Watching her run herself ragged, I asked her….”What did you want to be when you grew up, Mom?” her answer, always, was, “I am who I wanted to be when I grew up. I wanted my family & I just want them to be safe & happy.”

Some years passed and I went off to get my degree. Not wanting me to drive home late to my apartment, Mom offered to drive me in. This way, we could have time together to catch up. She looked more tired than I was on the rides. So I ask her again…”but what did you want to be when you grew up Mom.” She’d sigh & say “I am who I wanted to be when I grew up, Jeannine.” Looking out the window at the city lights, I felt sorry for her. There was this whole world she was missing out on, because of us.

I got a great job one day and started making good money. Calling Mom, I said “We’re going shopping, Mom, my treat.” Giggling like school girls, we wandered the stores together. I told her to pick out some summer clothes & a new bathing suit. Excited, almost like a child, she said “This is fun!” Worried, I asked her…”Mom, you never do this for yourself, didn’t you see yourself doing this when you grew up.” Confused, she replied , “What, shopping with my daughter? Yes I did.” I said, “No……. going out & buying whatever you wanted!” She smiled and touched my cheek on the way to the dressing room, speaking softly now…”I had everything I wanted, Jeannine, when I grew up.” I shrugged and said a silent prayer for her that she’d want more for herself.

Several years passed. My daughter was born, then my son. The years flew by. One evening, running my normal routine, I hurried home from work. Fixing a quick dinner, then cleaning up, I grabbed the kids. Driving my daughter to her cheerleading then dropping my son off at basketball practice, I thought I’d skip into the store and pick up some necessities while I waited. Running back to scoop them up and on the ride home, I ran through my motherly questions about their homework and getting ready for the next day.

Once the kids were safely tucked in bed, I poured myself my evening cup of coffee. Hoping to stoke that last bit of energy, I hurried, to get the rest of my chores done before dozing off myself. In the middle of my nightly chaos, my daughter, sleepy eyed, wandered from her room. Pouring herself a glass of milk she watched me run the last load of folded laundry from the laundry room.

Then she said it…….”Mom, wouldn’t your life be easier if you didn’t have children? I mean, I’m glad your our Mom and I know you love us, but, you run yourself ragged. Without all this, you could go anywhere and have anything you wanted when you grew up & nothing would hold you back from your dreams.” Stopping me dead in my tracks, my eyes filled up. I remembered what I had forgotten……. this conversation with my own Mother, many years ago. And I finally got it.

Startled by my response she said, “Mom, why are you crying.” I smiled and told her they were happy tears. Through the tears, I replied, “Tiffany, my life was very empty before you came along. What you don’t know yet, but I hope you do some day, is Mommies don’t give up their dreams……. You ARE My Dream & because of you and your brother, I have everything I ever wanted when I grew up!”

For the women who inspired us every day & followed our journey through life, get the perfect gifts for Mom to get to her dream destination in time for Mother’s Day here at our My Inspiration page.

Affiliate Information:
Because I promote different products on my site as an affiliate, I do receive a small commission from the company it takes you to. This helps me to gather more travel information to share with you to get to your dream destination. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However it does not cost more for you to shop on my site. Get some fun things for your trip and enjoy shopping!

Photo Credits: 1