I was seven. We had packed our old Toyota Landcruiser with blankets and pillows, suitcases and an old igloo filled with snacks. And we set off.
My parents were good at this. Adventure. My dad would shuttle us all into the car and we would end up at a river diving in with all of our clothes and shivering our way home as he cranked the heater up.
We were never prepared. Spontaneity is like that.
Sometimes they would wake us early, as the sun was rising, we would journey into the mountains to spend a day romping through wildflowers and catching bugs. Missing school.
Or we’d stuff the car with our camping gear on the first warm day in Spring and set out to the mountains only to find subzero temperatures at night.I remember lying awake at night in the back of our car as my brother and I huddled together to keep warm. We would turn on the heater every once in a while to keep from freezing. My parents braved it out in a tent. I will never forget that. And even though it was imperfect, it was one of the most memorable camping trips I’ve ever been on.
But this was a longer journey, we were going to California. As we left New Mexico the heat rose and our old car’s nonexistent air conditioning did nothing to cool our flushed faces and the damp hair sticking to our necks.
We stopped at a K-Mart and for the rest of the trip we sprayed water into the air from small squirt bottles, letting the mist land on us, evaporating in an instant. What could beat that?
I don’t remember every detail of that trip. Memory is funny that way, but I do remember the feeling of embarking on a mission.
Disneyland. The only time I’ve ever been. That was when Captain EO was the brand new attraction, yeah, it’s been awhile.
My father had a cd of African worship music. Jabulani Africa rose in chorus as we crossed the desert. This pilgrimage was about so much more than an amusement park or a family vacation.
We were making memories.
I think about this with my own children. We have never been to Disneyland. I often think of saving up to make it an experience. So we’ll have spending money, extra finances to take that time off work, and a nice place to stay, essentially the money to make the memories. But the delays always happen because in the planning, we neglect the impulse. That sometimes the imperfect is the very thing that makes the memory so special.
I’m not advocating total reckless abandon and following every whim, that would lead us into financial ruin but a relaxing of the ideal. A consolation that to be truly memorable, we don’t have to have every detail planned or every luxury afforded.
I have so many memories of imperfect and yet they are most cherished.
I think it’s time to make some new ones with my kids. Even if it’s just waking early to sit under the stars with cocoa and watch the sun rise.
That would be great.
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Some of the best memories of my childhood. Sopping clothes and freezing nights.
I love this post. I just finished Donald Miller’s “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” and I’ve been thinking a lot about story, and how to help my children have good stories. And then you posted this!
“Sometimes the imperfect is what makes the memory so special”. I love that, and it’s so true. Thank you for this gift this morning!
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Thanks Kim. I’ve just started reading that book because a lot of people recommended it. I haven’t gotten very far yet but I love the idea of living a good story.
I remember the imperfect trips we took as a kid. It was about spending time together. I think its harder for this generation of kid because they have so much “luxery” they have a harder time finding joy in just being together. Hey always want to be “doing” and each activity needs to be bigger and better than the last. Everytime we consider Disneyland (and we live w/in driving distance so it would only be ticket cost) I think how it is a fleeting moment and what comes next? Anything after that seems boring. I feel torn between the spontaneity of doing something that crazy and expensive and thinking about all the other things that could be a better use of that money when doing something else fun and inexpensive, spontaneously could be just as good.
Yes, I think the culture promotes it but I also think that we can condition ourselves to enjoy the simplicity. Childhood is the best time to make those memories. We never had a lot of money growing up so we always had spontaneous little outings and free things like going to the river our a drive up to the mountains. Even our Disneyland trip, we drove, stayed with friends, and made our own meals. Still, it was precious because I loved my family and we were together experiencing adventure. It doesn’t have to cost a lot to be memorable. Ask your kids about their favorite times and memories, you might be surprised by what is the most meaningful. Maybe Disneyland isn’t a good option for you and the money would be better spent on something else. Or maybe it would be a great splurge and one that they would remember forever. They’re only young once and we don’t get do-overs. Whatever you choose, I truly believe teaching contentment starts with accepting the imperfect and being thankful for the moments. I really appreciate you sharing here, Laura. Blessings to you as you make memories.
I love how kids are so pleased with simple. Just do something out of the ordinary, and they feel like it’s the best day ever! They don’t care if you have fancy elaborate plans…they just want to live in the moment. We should all look at life like a kid. Loved this post.
No kidding. The other day we had homemade popsicles, the backyard pool, and homemade pizza while sitting outside. Best day ever, declares my daughter.
I just love this post! My kids very much enjoy those simple spontaneous trips. We pack up a picnic, fishing rods and just head out. They cherish those memories and we do too. You are so write it’s all about living in the moment! Great post!
I’m so glad to hear you guys do that. Your kids will cherish those so much as they grow up, I know I did.
Spontaneity is a great thing I think! And I think this is a great post! There will always be something else unless we make time it seems or unless we just make it happen! Someday never comes…
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I agree. For my kids, any break from the ordinary is an adventure and they are always enthusiastic about whatever we surprise them with. Even if it’s tent camping in the backyard or going out for donuts on a Sunday morning.