I Get It From My Pawpaw
I LOVE to travel!
As a child I could not wait for late Septembers when my family would take their annual trip to Daytona Beach, Florida. I don't know what made me happier at that age… the beach, Disney World, or missing school for a whole week. lol But I do know that those were some of the HAPPIEST times of my life.
As I look back over my childhood, vacations are the main thing that remind me of the epitome of family and fellowship. I have to thank my grandparents and parents for those amazing experiences. BUT a special shout out goes to my Pawpaw, Lionel Thomas! He loved to travel, and I think he passed that love on to me.
For the first seven years of my life I went to Daytona Beach EVERY YEAR with my grandparents. But as the years went on - of course I got older - and missing a week of school was no longer conducive to my educational growth. My grandparents would still travel to Daytona Beach every September, but I had to trade in my annual vacations for another week of school. :(
After my grandfather's death in 2015, I thought it would be nice to visit our old stomping grounds again and see what made him so excited about going to Daytona Beach EVERY year. I hadn't been to Daytona since 1999, but I was super excited to relive my childhood again.
So I confirmed my stay and booked my flight! I arrived in Daytona Beach to notice that it had not changed a bit. I have a very photographic memory, and everything was exactly the way I remembered it. I had a great time though! I visited the beach, did some shopping, drove down to Orlando for some fun at Sea World, and even enjoyed the little night life that Daytona had to offer.
I came back from that vacation feeling rejuvenated! I encourage everyone to travel to a place during your adulthood that you LOVED during childhood. Going back to the same condo and looking out at the same views from when I was seven years old was an incredible experience. And an emotional one because it was the first time I was there without the man who made the vacations possible from the start.
I was able to reflect and cherish the moments of my childhood that molded me into the TRAVELER that I am today. I can honestly say that I think the traveling spirit inside me came directly from my grandfather. I attended many vacations with him. His favorite places to go were Daytona Beach, Florida & Hot Springs, Arkansas (if you have never been, check them out). I think it's safe to say that I have been to both of those places at least five times each, but every trip was a different experience that I will treasure forever.
And Pawpaw - although you won't be here to travel with me, I will continue to try my hardest to keep up your tradition of taking at least ONE VACATION EACH YEAR. It won't be to Daytona Beach every year like you did lol (I think I have seen all they have to offer). But I will take a trip somewhere! As I follow in your foot steps, I hope that you are smiling down. I hate that you cannot be here physically, but please know that you are always on my mind and in my heart. I will tell you about my adventures when I see you again. I love you. I miss you. May your soul rest in peace.
I dedicate my first traveling blog to you! My Pawpaw, Lionel Thomas!
xoxo
Courtney Marie
