How Travel Can Help Redefine Your World After Loss

by Kristen Martel

PURPOSE AND MEANING FOR WIDOWS

We all have defining moments that shape our lives through enlightenment, joy, and sorrow. Watching my parents drive away on my first day of college and holding my newborn for the first time were both pivotal in my journey. But for years, the death of my first husband was so defining that it created a stoppage in my family’s timeline, labeling every memory either “pre” or “post” loss.

Looking back on my pre-loss life, it was a model of consistency. I was blessed with a rewarding career, a loving marriage, and healthy, happy children. Before the sweet chaos of baby years, I traveled mainly for business. Once we had the kids, traveling became a rare treat because money was tight, and it was hard to get away.

When Gary passed away from cancer, he was 46 years old, and I was 37. Our children, Ben, Caroline, and Sam were only 5, 7, and 9. For years in my post-loss life, I chose to forgo traveling to focus on my kids and create a sense of normalcy for them. I was …