The travel experience is the best souvenir

Yesterday, I had coffee with a friend who told me a story I would like to share with you.  The sentiments of the subject echo my own, and make me even more determined to help others and to keep exploring this wonderful world myself sooner rather than later.

Mary started to travel the world late, in her seventies and eighties.  Unlike many in that age group, she was fortunate enough to be fully mobile and to have all of  her faculties – and some cash too!  On her 90th birthday, after her jaunts had ceased, she talked to her daughters about her life and passed along her wisdom … that travel yields a better return on investment than does “stuff.”  She recalled stories and talked fondly of her memories from trips to different parts of the world and stressed that those memories will never fade, and she will always treasure them, unlike the expensive jewellery, flashy cars and clothes she had worn, tired of and either given away or thrown out.  The moral of Mary’s story:  travel while you can and treasure the experience … the memories will always be there.

Mary believed that the travel experience is the best souvenir of a life lived fully.   I agree.  What do you think?