When travel plans unravel...(sigh)
Apr 21st, 2006, 04:16 PM
#41
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To clarify, he fully disclosed the request before he was offered/accepted the position. He's not a perfect kid by any means, but he's smart.
I love traveling alone with my husband.
I love traveling with both of my sons as a family unit.
I (we) have never traveled with one and not the other. The three of us would certainly not get the same pleasure out of the trip.
New territory for me (us -- my DH is finding this a bit tough too).
And I am by no means a weeping mess in front of my sons. I sometimes wonder why the oldest kid has an apartment since he spends so much time at home!
Change is never easy. You do not have to share my perspective and can voice your own opinions, but that won't change how I feel.
I love traveling alone with my husband.
I love traveling with both of my sons as a family unit.
I (we) have never traveled with one and not the other. The three of us would certainly not get the same pleasure out of the trip.
New territory for me (us -- my DH is finding this a bit tough too).
And I am by no means a weeping mess in front of my sons. I sometimes wonder why the oldest kid has an apartment since he spends so much time at home!
Change is never easy. You do not have to share my perspective and can voice your own opinions, but that won't change how I feel.
Apr 24th, 2006, 04:28 PM
#47
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Postscript...
The answer is "No"...so that's that.
We told the oldest that we would carry-on with the trip, if that's what he wanted. He doesn't want to -- it just wouldn't be the same he says. I can understand how he feels.
It's unlikely that my DH and I would enjoy spending 10 days in a 2-bedroom condo by ourselves.
I won't be around for a while. Not until we can figure out what to do with ourselves this summer. Maybe we'll just visit my S&BIL in Cambridge instead. Don't know yet.
Take care.
The answer is "No"...so that's that.
We told the oldest that we would carry-on with the trip, if that's what he wanted. He doesn't want to -- it just wouldn't be the same he says. I can understand how he feels.
It's unlikely that my DH and I would enjoy spending 10 days in a 2-bedroom condo by ourselves.
I won't be around for a while. Not until we can figure out what to do with ourselves this summer. Maybe we'll just visit my S&BIL in Cambridge instead. Don't know yet.
Take care.
Apr 24th, 2006, 05:02 PM
#48
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Dear stw, it sounds like the family agrees that it won't be the same if you all can't go together. Forget what the rest of us would do, just follow your heart and you will make the right decision. You and your dear ones will all take a trip together again when the time is right, and that trip will be the best. It sounds like you are all so close that anywhere you go together will be special.
A hug to you.
>
<
And here's a spare for later.
><
A hug to you.
>
<And here's a spare for later.
>
<
Apr 24th, 2006, 05:41 PM
#49
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If I weren't too inept to learn to do the emoticons, I'd add a hug too!
FWIW, I think you're making the right decision. My husband and I were talking about it last night and he said he just couldn't see us leaving one kid behind. And I agree. Particularly given the fact that you planned the trip for all four of you.
I know it doesn't seem like it now, but this is all going to work out well. I'm just sure of it. He's going to wind up having a wonderful internship. And, down the road, you're all going to take a fabulous trip together. Without any baggage in terms of wondering whether everyone did the right thing, etc.
I also think it says a lot for your older son that he'd rather give up the trip than take it without his brother. You have good reason to be very proud of him!
FWIW, I think you're making the right decision. My husband and I were talking about it last night and he said he just couldn't see us leaving one kid behind. And I agree. Particularly given the fact that you planned the trip for all four of you.
I know it doesn't seem like it now, but this is all going to work out well. I'm just sure of it. He's going to wind up having a wonderful internship. And, down the road, you're all going to take a fabulous trip together. Without any baggage in terms of wondering whether everyone did the right thing, etc.
I also think it says a lot for your older son that he'd rather give up the trip than take it without his brother. You have good reason to be very proud of him!
Apr 25th, 2006, 04:22 AM
#50
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>< Add me to the hug brigade ><
STW, I can only imagine the disappointment you may be feeling and hope there is a time in the future when your family can get together for this trip. You must be very proud of your son!
< Add me to the hug brigade ><STW, I can only imagine the disappointment you may be feeling and hope there is a time in the future when your family can get together for this trip. You must be very proud of your son!
Apr 25th, 2006, 03:35 PM
#53
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Hello seetheworld, I am so sorry that your family plans for Portugal did not work out. I just read your entire thread. I agree with those that say how fortunate you are to have such a closeknit family. I hope and trust that this trip to Portugal can be made in the future. My best wishes to you and your lovely family.
May 1st, 2006, 05:20 PM
#55
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Thanks for the hugs. And thank you for sharing your own thoughts and feelings about your own personal experiences. It's so much nicer reading without the tears, lol.
I am in a much better place over this -it is particularly helpful that our sons are so good-natured and are happy with their decisions. Portugal will always be there for us -- thanks to our family who will let us have their condo anytime we wish! So a family trip to Portugal will eventually happen.
I owe a great debt of gratitude to my dear S&BIL for being so very understanding about our change of plans. We've actually developed new plans for just the two of us (and some time with our dear S&BIL).
My DH and I will be heading to London for 4 nights -- during this time our S&BIL will stay in the city to meet for dinner and theatre. Then we are off to Portugal for 6 nights. My S&BIL has arranged for the caretaker to show us around so that we can orient ourselves -- it is all sounding very exciting to us.
Then, we will head back to London for an additional night before flying back to the states. We will fly home with one of our nephews. He will stay with us for a bit, where Auntie M and Uncle John will treat him to his favorite activity...slot car racing before heading off to grandma and grandpa.
So I now have a very important purpose to this trip in addition to the pleasure that we will certainly experience!
And you never know if the sons call saying their circumstances have changed...may not be realistic, but one can always hope.
I am in a much better place over this -it is particularly helpful that our sons are so good-natured and are happy with their decisions. Portugal will always be there for us -- thanks to our family who will let us have their condo anytime we wish! So a family trip to Portugal will eventually happen.
I owe a great debt of gratitude to my dear S&BIL for being so very understanding about our change of plans. We've actually developed new plans for just the two of us (and some time with our dear S&BIL).
My DH and I will be heading to London for 4 nights -- during this time our S&BIL will stay in the city to meet for dinner and theatre. Then we are off to Portugal for 6 nights. My S&BIL has arranged for the caretaker to show us around so that we can orient ourselves -- it is all sounding very exciting to us.
Then, we will head back to London for an additional night before flying back to the states. We will fly home with one of our nephews. He will stay with us for a bit, where Auntie M and Uncle John will treat him to his favorite activity...slot car racing before heading off to grandma and grandpa.
So I now have a very important purpose to this trip in addition to the pleasure that we will certainly experience!
And you never know if the sons call saying their circumstances have changed...may not be realistic, but one can always hope.
I'm really glad you are feeling better. 
May 2nd, 2006, 04:22 AM
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How exciting, stw! I'm happy for you and look forward to reading a trip report. There are those of us who would like to go to Portugal some day, too, so it is up to you to see as much as possible and report back ;-)
