It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door. You step into the Road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.
- Bilbo Baggins, Fellowship of the Ring
Perhaps one of my biggest regrets was not taking you to Japan. I’ve been there three times. I wouldn’t say that I’m an expert – not by a mile – but it would have been amazing to see Japan through your eyes.
But the opportunity never really arose. It was costly, first and foremost, but there was also the matter of Mommy (who has no desire to go) and international travel laws with single parents, and what we would do (like your cousin Jen, I imagine there’s only so many temples that you’d want to see).
Admittedly, I didn’t push the matter. And I do regret that.
When you said you were going to go with your friends, I was … unsure. Mostly that I didn’t quite believe that you’d all somehow figure it out. That’s not to say that your friends are a disorganized mess, just that I didn’t see the kind of commitment needed for such an endeavour. And then suddenly, you were booking tickets.
What seemed like an unlikely dream was reality. You were going.
Are going. Today.
I don’t know who’s less ready for this monumentous occasion: you or me. (Maybe Mommy, but she’s leaving for her own trip that needs more time to prepare.) It’s not that you’ve never travelled outside of Canada – you’ve been places, kiddo – and it’s not that you don’t have the smarts to figure it out (you conquered the London Underground).
Maybe it’s that you’re going somewhere without me. And I don’t mean to the mall with your friends – you’re on an adventure. Perhaps it’s more jealousy than any feeling of loss, I feel like I haven’t had an adventure in … a long time. And you’re experiencing something new. Like, really new. You only know Japan through pop culture and a bit of studying in school. In 18 or so hours, you’ll be truly experiencing it, unavoidably.
It’s a big step, going out in the world on your own (without the “protection” of your parents). And you need that. You need this experience. You didn’t get to go residence this year (because holy expensive, Batman!), so you’ve continued to live a bit of sheltered life (I say a “bit” because you didn’t grow up in The Bunker) – to go to Japan, you have to leave the nest. Once that plane leaves the ground, there’s nothing that I can do.
Well, one thing. I’ve given you an Emergency Number – Mr. Wolf. You’ve met Chris, at least. You might never need to call him (and truly, I hope you don’t need to), but if something absolutely bonkers happens, you have him. And hopefully the outline for a really great comedy script if something gets to that point.
Spread your wings, Monkey. It’s time to soar.
