26 Jan2017
What’s the worst thing when traveling?
People say it is easy to travel.
People say it is easy to leave home.
People say it is easy to leave everything behind.
People say it is easy not to look back.
People say it is easy to leave your loved ones back home and just go.
People say they would travel if they only could. If they had more money and more time.
But do people also say it is easy to leave home and lose a family member while on the road?
Do people also say it is easy to realize you are not at home when your family needs you the most?
Do people also say it is easy not to look back when you know all you have now are just memories and you will never be able to have moments to spend together?
Do people also say it is easy to travel and not to think about the people you left home?
Do they?
Do you?
Have you ever realized you can leave on another trip and find out one of a family members/friends died when you were away?
Do you think it is easy not to manage to get home on time for the funeral?
Do you think it is easy not to say the last goodbye?
Do you think it it easy not to see the loved dead person one more time? Just one more time … the last time…
Do you really think it is SO easy to travel?
If you say so, you forget that travelers also have someone they love. Travelers also have heart. Travelers also love other people.
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You might have noticed on my Facebook Fanpage that my grandma, my dad’s mum, died now when we are on a trip in Thailand with dad. She was sick when we left home so in a way we were kind of expecting it, yet still hoping for the best. Despite of that, the message about her death shocked me so much!
Waking up to a sad message informing you that someone you’ve known all your life, just passed away and you will never see her face again, SUCKS more than you can imagine! It sucks big time! It happened just when we were finally properly enjoying our holidays together not thinking about the problems at home.
I cried 2 weeks before we left when I found out grandma got very sick.
I cried again and again for a few days when she was not getting better.
I cried again when I went to say goodbye to her just a few hours before we left home. She didn’t even recognize me any more.
And now I cry again in Thailand when dad told me with a low voice that she died at night.
Only now I’ve realized I don’t have any photo with my grandma. At least not any from my adulthood. How frustrating is that?! Havng thousands and thousands of travel phtoos but not even one with my grandmother.
This is the third time that I left home and lost someone I love while I was abroad.
The first time in 2006 it was my one year younger brother. He committed suicide. I was in Czech republic when he died but at least I managed to get home for his funeral and be with my parents. That was the worst moment of my life, ever.
The second time in 2011 I lost my uncle, mum’s brother, who was just 12 years older than me. He died of cancer when only 39 years old. I was in the Philippines when it happened so wasn’t able to get to the funeral through half of the globe.
Now in January 2017 I am in Thailand with dad which is even worse as it’s his mother who passed away. Unfortunately, there is no way we could get home on time for her funeral. It is too far away. Too complicated. And most of all too sad.
So next time when you will want to say it is easy to travel, bite into your tongue and think twice.
Traveling can suck big times!
R.I.P. grandma! I will always remember you from 10 years ago when you were still full of energy and smiling. <3
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Have you ever lost a dear one while traveling?
