anecdotes

An Open Letter to My Mother for Showing me that Traveling is Worth it



Dear Ma,
Over the past few days I am clutching over everything I could attach to you. And this occurred to me on the way to Kharagpur today, although a similar idea was given by Navitaji. I thought of giving up every hobbies, be it the coins or the stamps, travel blog or photography but then all of them linked back to you. The only thing that is ruining me from inside is that I could not be there in the last hours of your consciousness. But all the things we did together, before, is still holding me together and giving me the strength to write this, only if you could read it.

An Open Letter to My Mother for Showing me that Traveling is Worth it

Thank you for being my first ever travel partner.

That was Digha in December 2004. And we heard the waves crashing on the seashore in the middle of the night together and you taking me out the next day to see the sunrise even though I was a bit down. That was the trip when I got to see a different version of you, a travel buddy who turned into my closest friend all of a sudden. Going out together, stopping at the shops and looking for the souvenirs, patiently listening to all my “let’s buy these” and then sweetly passing a “No”, trying every possible fish dishes out there; somewhere in between I fell in love with the act of traveling itself, besides loving the new version of you.
An Open Letter to My Mother for Showing me that Traveling is Worth it


Thank you for being there when I fell sick on our first.

I do remember being ill on our very first outing together. In spite of being worried yourself, you provided me the strength and taught me not to be down by any physical weakness when already on the roads. You taught me then to have strength, if not physical then mental, to have a strong disposition, not to succumb to any sort of ill health. This made me retract the fever and to witness one of the best scenes of nature and the trip did not go waste.

An Open Letter to My Mother for Showing me that Traveling is Worth it

Thank you for inspiring me to travel solo and be there even when I thought of giving up.

When I decided to go for a solo trip and on reaching the destination I called you and you sensed some anxiety in my voice (maybe I was subconsciously) you told me to enjoy the time wholeheartedly because it's now or never. And for those words, I ended up with one of the best trips I ever had. 

Thank you for teaching me that traveling is worth it.

Traveling is overcoming the inner fears of oneself and venturing out into the open world, meeting and greeting new people of various culture and ethnicity and yet bonded together by some strange strings.  You taught me to venture out and discover the unknown and etch it forever in the mind palace. The map inside our head could only be expanded by appending new places to it and this is only done by visiting the same. 

An Open Letter to My Mother for Showing me that Traveling is Worth it

Thank you for enjoying the food trailing with me.

All those different foods we tasted while our mini outings,  those tasty fuchkas,  batata puris,  fish fries,  wow momos,  dosas, etc.  And adding an extra love for trying the bests at our home experimenting with different ingredients.  I did try the chingrimacher malaikari few days back, but still, I could not achieve the secret ingredient of your special touch. 

Thank you for clicking my display pictures on the go.

And through all the long and short trips you clicked the numerous photos with all the patience in the universe and also posed for all my irrelevant requests. 

Thank you for inspiring me with wonderful hobbies.

Whenever you could you told me of the collections you had.  I inherited a lot many stamps and coins from you as well as Baba.  It was you who showed that stamps talk of the various places and the history related to it.  I listened to it awe-inspired.  And now I carry forward the collections. 

Lastly thank you for all the wonderful memories that we created together.

Every time we stepped out or stepped in we created wonderful memories for life.  You showed me the world and pointed out the beauty of the same in every possible way, prepared me for the best and the worst, yet protected me at the same time.  I did not want to, but had to,  let you go on the never-ending solo trip of yours but I pledge to keep your spirit in me.  My heart will go on and on...  I love you...  Always.


I love you 3000. @doibedouin
I love you 3000.


JAYASHREE SENGUPTA

A civil engineer and researcher by profession and an avid traveler, hailing from India, with an appetite for experiencing places in a more instinctive way- absorbing the culture and the tradition, the dialect and the geography of the place. Be it any ‘-scape’, mountain, sea, city or desert, conquering the unknown is always a thrill, an added adventure activity would be a quintessential spree. The motto is more like, vini vidi vici, a little modified to “I came, I saw, I ticked it off my map”; even if it is a short day trip, an off-the-beaten path excites me more.

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29 comments

  1. Unknown29 November 2018 at 08:09

    Lovely...

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  2. Subham29 November 2018 at 10:10

    She will always be your inspiration...

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  3. Unknown29 November 2018 at 10:32

    Your mom sounds amazing. I've gotten to travel with my mum a bit too and they are such precious memories! Wishing you comfort and peace.

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  4. Michelle M29 November 2018 at 10:33

    This is such a sweet letter. We definitely have so many lessons to learn, even with travel, from our parents.

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  5. Mayuri29 November 2018 at 13:34

    It is always a beautiful thing, if your parents love and support what you. Even better when they share your passions and inspire you

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  6. Abhirup Sengupta29 November 2018 at 16:01

    I'm missing her so much.

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  7. Unknown29 November 2018 at 19:59

    Very sweet post, and tribute to your mom. These things are always hard to write, especially in such a public forum. Your strength and inspiration will help others, myself included. xox

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  8. Unknown29 November 2018 at 20:39

    This is so beautiful, and I am sure it was so difficult to write. In so many ways, the gifts that loved ones give us are not things: they are values, memories, and motivations. You are lucky to have received these gifts of love from someone who sounds like an unforgettable person. Thank you for sharing this, and may you inspire others like your mother inspired you!!! :)

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  9. The Joyous Living30 November 2018 at 00:57

    what a beautiful tribute to your mama. glad you could have such great memories and experiences together.

    Joy at www.thejoyousliving.com

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  10. Kylee30 November 2018 at 06:11

    What a sweet letter to your mom. My favorite person to travel with is my mom too. She's always incredibly patient when I take 1000 pictures. Thanks for sharing your lovely memories with your mom and reminding me to appreciate my mom too.

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  11. Chad30 November 2018 at 06:14

    Great post, it made me emotional. The mother's love is by far the deepest and purest form of love. Thank you so much for sharing.

    Chad
    www.mosaicslab.com

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  12. Stephanie Stebbins30 November 2018 at 06:28

    Well, I didn't expect to get teary eyed today. Wow. Such a beautiful letter. My mother has always been a traveler, and still is. I hope I can see everywhere like she did!

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  13. janebehr31630 November 2018 at 07:43

    I have tears in my eyes right now. This is such a great example of all that we can learn from travel and how those we love can teach us so much through their passions. Keep spreading the love of travel that your mom taught you.

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  14. Authentic Food Quest30 November 2018 at 09:06

    What a beautiful tribute!!

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  15. Alyssa30 November 2018 at 09:18

    This is just so beautiful. Keep on traveling and doing your mother proud love!

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  16. Jay Joy30 November 2018 at 13:56

    I love this. I remember road trips with my daughter wonderful memories that we created together. Right when we go ton the highway, we would yell... WE ARE ON AN ADVENTURE!!!!!!! Now my daughter isn't afraid to travel. Thanks for sharing!

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  17. Hirra Pervaiz30 November 2018 at 18:51

    This is a very beautiful post. Mother's are our first teachers and at every step of life you're learning from the. Beautiful memories shared here.

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  18. ShomaPat30 November 2018 at 23:51

    Traveling is the most important thing my mother taught me as well! I resonate with this post so much!

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  19. Unknown1 December 2018 at 06:36

    This is so sweet and thoughtful. I have alot to thank my mother for as well.

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  20. Diana Tidswell1 December 2018 at 06:48

    This is so sweet, i know this blog is for mothers but i appreciate it for my son.. Time is gold. And so we should make the most out of it.

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  21. Unknown1 December 2018 at 07:42

    Such a beautiful loving tribute to your mom! Thank you for sharing love in the world

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  22. Maysz1 December 2018 at 08:07

    Love this open letter! Time is too short for creating memories! I feel your emotions :( Well written

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  23. Ana1 December 2018 at 08:15

    What a beautiful tribute you've given to your mom! You're so fortunate that you got an opportunity to travel with your mom at so many places!

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  24. Unknown1 December 2018 at 08:59

    so sweet and this is a wonderful letter to her

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  25. Christa1 December 2018 at 11:21

    This is such a beautiful tribute to your mother. I’m sure she’s still with you everywhere you travel.

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  26. Nicol1 December 2018 at 15:19

    this is beautiful to read. love how she had influenced you and that she will always be treasured

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  27. Mermama1 December 2018 at 23:21

    This is so beautiful, I teared up reading your sweet memories together. You will have all of these beautiful memories you shared together and she will be with you through her words for all of your future travels.

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  28. Natasha2 December 2018 at 00:21

    I’m so happy you were able to share your love of traveling with her. I love to travel and think it is very important.

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  29. Nicole Escat2 December 2018 at 09:34

    My parents is still here and I am living with them. We don't earn enough to make vacations but definitely will be having if we saved enough.

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