Being impulsive with an inquisitive mind, I could only imagine how difficult it is for my parents to have me as their first child. Of course, I’m supposed to be a role model to my two younger siblings. By now, I’m expected to have a degree with a stable job and my own place to encourage them to strive hard for their future. But no, not even close. Instead, I decided to spend my life traveling.
It wasn’t easy for my parents to take. Hell, just what would my 15 year old sister learn from me? But after 25 years of ups and downs, I still surprise my parents with my life choices. So when I thought of backpacking Central America, I had to gradually introduce my parents the idea that once again, I am up to something no good.
Baby steps.
For my first attempt, I told my mom that I wanted to travel Guatemala. She replied with a print screen of their crime rate. I laughed, but she didn’t find it funny. “It’s not as bad as the crime rate in the Philippines!” I said, trying my 300% to convince her. It didn’t work.
A couple of days after, I told her how beautiful Guatemala is and how it’s always been on my bucket list. Next minute, I was bombarded with reasons why I shouldn’t travel the country mainly focusing on the Zika Virus and again, the crime rate. It was clear that I didn’t stand a chance to go.
But I’m too ambitious…and too stubborn.
Two weeks before my flight and I had nothing more to say but to apologize. I feel like I disobeyed my parents for still pushing through. Well, I did. But at the same time, I feel like there are some things that they would only understand if they had been in my shoes.
“What else can I do?”
Said the woman who brought home several bottles of sunscreen and a wide variety of mosquito repellant. My mom wasn’t joking when she said they bought every single kind that they saw in the grocery store. That’s my parents. They sure have their own way of showing their support.
Secretly, my heart melted. Not only did they approve of my next trip, they also went out of their way to provide my basic needs. I wanted to run and hug my parents like a little child. But as much as I would love to express my gratitude, I didn’t grow up to be affectionate.
So in my little way, here’s to the parents of an aspiring globetrotter:
1.Thank you for not letting different time zones to stop you from caring.
You never hesitate to answer my phone calls even if it wakes you up at 3am. You never choose a time to hear me bawl for every mishaps that I’ve had in my travels. You guys never fail to respond for a quick catch up even if it costs you your convenience.
Thank you for never getting tired of being my parents.
2. Thank you for always believing in me.
I know you have dreams for me that I’ve failed to achieve. But I also know that despite that, you never stopped being proud of me—may it be on my littlest accomplishments or the countries that I’ve been to. So thank you. Thank you for still believing that in my own way, I’m still gonna succeed.
3. Thank you for letting me follow my dreams.
The world is too big for me to explore but you make it seem so possible with your love and support. Thank you because to be honest, that’s all us dreamers need.
4.Thank you for raising me to be the person that I am right now.
It flatters me when I hear your old colleagues say “you remind me of your mom” and “you’re so courageous like your dad” because they have nothing but good words and good stories about you two. And how great is it to be raised by people with such big hearts, you put others’ needs before yours!
Often, I think that the universe has been so kind to me because of how you guys are towards people. And for that, thank you. Good karma sure knows its way around!
5. Thank you for trusting me… even when you don’t trust the rest of the world
“What if they do bad things to you? Harm you? Drug you?” Questions that I can’t even answer myself because I couldn’t deny the danger that lies in the places that I go to.
But regardless of your anxiety, you still help me pack my bags and ensure that I catch my flight on time. Thank you for not letting fear take over you. More importantly, thank you for having faith in me…for trusting me that I’ll make the best decisions in my travels.
6.Thank you for choosing my happiness over yours.
From birthdays to Christmas, you never fail to collage/photoshop me in our family pictures. Goes to show that there’s nothing else in the world that will make you guys the happiest than spending the holidays together.
Being family oriented, it can be hard for you guys. At my age, I know you wish for nothing else but for some quality time. So thank you for still letting me wander and for the little sacrifice.
7. And to top it all, thank you for assuring me that no matter where I go, I’ll always have a place to come home to.
There are times when I just want to give up because some things don’t go as well as planned. But thank you for the tiny reminders that I can always come back home if backpacking doesn’t make me happy anymore. Because of that, I never hold myself back from taking big risks. Thank you for the assurance that it’s okay to fail. Thank you for always making me feel secured.
PROJECT WANDERLUST 