But, we were happy and content...
It was when we were in Jr. High that Mom and Dad quit smoking. They accomplished the hard challenge, they often said, because they would not cheat on each other. It was then they decided to use the money they had used on cigarettes, around $400 per year, and take a family vacation. The first trip was to the Black Hills. Then our world opened up to Yellowstone, Tetons, the Four Corners, Grand Canyon, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Arizona, Denver... Mom was a great trip planner. We stayed in $ 6 a night hotels, when Motel 6 really was $6 a night, ate our breakfast from the cooler in the room every morning (which included the homemade donuts we had prepared the week before), and lunch came from the same cooler! Dinner was an inexpensive eatery. One thing was a must... Mom felt that if we used a bathroom at a gas station, we needed to buy something. But, it was only 1 thing. We had to agree together what to purchase!
Sacrifice and discipline gave us family vacation. We learned to share and to be frugal...
Our world opened up during those days. I was most excited when in college my family allowed me to fly to Dallas with my best friend to stay with her family for a few days. A plane ride! It was incredible. I would have never thought it possible. My own father always wanted to fly... and finally did at the age of 70! The flight to Dallas was of great sacrifice for our family, when I reflect back. It was paid for when circumstances were that I only talked to my family 15 minutes a week on Saturday because that was all we could afford. Only 120 miles from home, we couldn't afford the gas for me to go home more than once a semester, even at 19 cents a gallon! Family was in reach, but the budget prevented our getting together. Yet, they had afforded a plane ticket for me to go with a friend.
Our gratitude for time together was deep... I didn't realize then the sacrifice made by others for me.
Marriage opened up another road of travel. First to Hawaii, for a first marriage, first job. Plane rides. Then, another marriage, trips to Pennsylvania to David's family... trips to SD and TX to mine. Business trips to Switzerland, London, New York! My world of travel expanded greatly and I could not believe how wide my world was. And, it gave much needed time together as a family, but also as a couple... giving us time and focus for each other, even though we missed those children at home!
Travel paths had a purpose beyond pleasure of tourism...
Then there were the short paths of life, with great consequence. The paths to the hospital... 6 times over 7 years, bringing home 4 wonderful babies, each diverse, unique and recipients of a kind of love that lacks words of description or understanding. There were also trips to graves to bury grandparents, parents, a loving husband. Paths through single parenting, empty nest, community involvement!
The shortest paths we travel can have the biggest impacts...
These days, travel paths have been in the form of celebration and reconnecting. Celebration with each child for a job well done in college. Celebration with close friends or "adopted" over a marriage. Or, reconnecting with my adult children and their family. None live closer than 10 hours, one international and I make the trips to them when needed or for fun as often as I can. Can't tell you how many $40-$50 tanks of gas I have pumped! Someday long trips in planes or cars may have to come to an end. But not now. There are precious grandbabies and wonderful adults to visit! Can't miss birthdays or "firsts"!
The paths paved with gratefulness is without price. 
Here's to a tank of gas and a path to adventure!
And the knowledge there is no place...like home!
