This is the archived version of our free weekly newsletter. To start receiving it in your mailbox on the send-out day, join the newsletter list!
Hi from the Adriatic!
In January, it will be 9 years since I left for my first longer trip to Asia, and 5 years since He left forever.
Despite being born in the horoscope sign that shares the name with my father’s disease, I was not the cancer that took over. After 13 years of fighting, his body surrendered, letting out the final breath in the middle of the night.
Before I boarded that 2017 flight for Kuala Lumpur, carrying a dead Vietnamese walking stick in my bag, Dad told me to look after myself. That was the closest he got to saying “I love you”, something even hotel guests may mumble out.
But just a few days ago, I was both touched and humbled by what one guest shared at the check-out of the hotel I work for.
Like I mentioned last week, we receive an unusual number of families, debunking the myth that adults-only hotels are reserved just for romantic escapes. They can also be places where related adults gather to share family time in peace.
“I don’t know how much longer I’ll be around”, this guest shared, still with a smile, hinting at a medical issue that might cut his presence short. He took his little family on a vacation that might be his last, deciding to be remembered for moments of shared joy, not grief.
As I listened to his speech of gratitude for the service, a tear rolled out of my eye, prompting him to apologize immediately for “oversharing”.
What he reminded me of, however, is that, in the world that doesn’t always play according to our wishes and desires, time is all we have left. This guest was just aware of the fact that most of us don’t even consider: we all go on vacations that might be our last. How would you like to spend them if you knew?
Have a caring week,
Ivan Kralj
Pipeaway.com
This is the archived version of our free weekly newsletter. To start receiving it in your mailbox on the send-out day, join the newsletter list!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you click on them and make a purchase, Pipeaway may make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our work!
