When my children turned 13 - we did not get a BIG party - or a Bar Mitzvah.... Instead, each kiddo was treated to a trip without siblings - just them and I - on a trip to the place of their dreams. It was a way to celebrate and honor them - to shower them with love and attention. Another huge benefit was-to help open their eyes to the larger world.
Unfortunatley, when Kaylee turned 13, our family life was in chaos. Divorse, money issues etc. She and I thought it would be wonderful to hike Kilimanjaro for her trip - but this dream was expensive and involved taking alot of time off for a newly emplyed mother. So - we delayed. We delayed for 7 years!
Now that Kaylee is in Tanzania with her college studying amazing stuff at the base of Kilimanjaro - it seems that the time has come for me to get myself over there and spend some one-on-one time with my girl. We decided not to hike Kili - but to Scuba and Trek instead. We are both past excited to spend time with each other - with her sharing with me her home for the past 5 months. Tickets are purchased, reservations are made, shots in arms, pills in backpack - 3 more days and off I go to meet her in Dar Es Saalam. I can barely focus my mind on my work - I just want to board that plane and GO!
