On Friday I was finally feeling almost human. I was also feeling a bit generous, so when my daughter, Susan, called to beg a ride home from college so she could borrow my car and spend the night in Milwaukee, I agreed. It might sound one-sided to some people, after all she wasn't wanting to come home because she missed her mommy! But I often pick her up for selfish reasons: I like that still needs me, I enjoy an uninterupted hour and half of conversation with my first-born, and I get to hear some really funny stories. My first-born has been on the go since she learned to walk. And she began walking early - 11 months. I don't believe she ever crawled first. From the time she could talk, she talked about going on adventures - and let me tell you, to her, everything was an adventure! She went to Peru at age 15, and she went to Paris at age 17, she has friends in Peru, France, Argentina, England, and Ireland. She keeps in touch with all these people via the internet. It is a small world!
So, as we are driving, she is telling me about her upcoming trip to New York City with MUNs (Model United Nations). Turns out one of the other students in the club is from France. Susan tells me that when they first met, he kept staring at her, saying she looked sooo familiar. He finally asked her if she had ever visited a high school in France. Now, what are the chances of that? He did not really expect an affirmative answer and was prepared to defend himself against an accusation of using a bad pick-up line, when Susan said, "Yes, I was at 'such-n-such' for two days before Winter Holiday in 2009!" Ha! Turns out they have friends in common in France and did indeed spend a little time together back then! They were both amazed to run into each other at Oshkosh and find themselves in the same club. It is a small world!
So, her adventure this weekend was attending a concert in Milwaukee with her cousin, Alisia, and her best friend from high school (and multiple others as well). Her cousin (also my Goddaughter) is dating a boy (man?) from France. While they were hanging out before the concert they got to talking about places they've all been, and places they plan on going to soon. Alisia spent two months in Africa last summer, and plans on touring Europe this summer with her boyfriend. My daughter is understandably jealous, but excited for her own plans for taking a semester studying in Europe next Spring. Now when I was 19 years old, it was exciting just planning for a trip to Six Flags. I had never been out of the midwest, much less the country! But, to give these girls credit, they work hard and pay for these trips themselves. And what an education! They know and understand more about world politics and policies than I ever will. I don't think they even realize that the world is big - they know it as easily accessible, and never more than a few clicks away on the computer, or a plane ticket and a passport away. It is a small world!
My adventures are closer to home. Oh, I have been a few places... down South, out West, even Canada and Jamacai. Some day I hope to make it to Paris. There is an open invitation to stay with my daughter's friend there. My children are my world, and for now I am content seeing the world through their eyes. And I know that no matter where their travels lead them, they are only a phone call, text message, Facebook status, or a needed ride home from college away. It is a small world!
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