Nope. It didn’t expire. I never had one. Ever.
Yes. I’ve traveled outside of the United States.
I’ve been to Mexico, St. Croix, the Bahamas, Grand Cayman and Dominica. I’ve been to Puerto Rico too but you don’t need a passport to go there.
The places I’ve been, were before becoming a mother. Before airlines tightened restrictions. When a birth certificate and a photo ID were enough. Not anymore. Now I need a passport.
As for my husband, Joseph – he’s been to more exotic places than me. Before his passport expired, he’s traveled as far as Japan and Hong Kong. He’s been to Dominican Republic. (We went together to Mexico and were married in Dominica.)
Our son, Norrin has only been on a plane once in all eight years of his life. We went to Florida – Disney World – no passport needed. In a few months, we’ll be back on a plane again. Back to Disney World.
I’d love to travel to Japan and see the places Joseph remembers so fondly. I’d love to explore the ruins of ancient Greece. I dream of strolling down the cobblestone streets of London. Perhaps sitting in a Paris cafe.
But I don’t have a passport. And I wonder if I’ll ever need one. If as a family, we’ll ever need one. For now, a walk through the World Showcase at Epcot will just have to do. It’s actually much more than I ever could have imagined.
Having a kid with autism, I worry about air travel and being up in the sky for too long. I worry about breaking routine and staying in strange places. And his school is year round. Having a kid with autism, child care is always a challenge. Norrin has a tough time when I go out to throw away the garbage, can’t imagine myself traveling to another country without him. And I don’t dare think about a romantic vacation getaway. I worry about the cost of such a vacation because – in case you didn’t know – autism ain’t cheap. I have to think and plan for the future – Norrin’s future when Joseph and I are long gone.
To some, I’ve been to many places. To others, not enough. To me? I’m honestly not sure. I know there are places I want to go. Places I’ll wonder if I’ll ever see.
And I think about the places motherhood has taken me. The moments when I’ve felt like a foreigner in a strange land. Times when I couldn’t understand the language or culture. And the sights I thought I’d never see. Motherhood has been, by far, the most exotic, mysterious, adventurous and exciting journey I’ve ever been on – no passport required.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us and letting us in! This is a beautiful post that gives me a glimpse of your life, and I appreciate your honesty. It shows that there are some things that we just take for granted — I would have never thought about the possibility of not traveling with Enzo. I've also had a passport since I was a baby, so it's interesting to me that you wonder if you will ever need one. I think the only advice I can give is that you never know what will happen– what I mean by that is, well, maybe one day you will be able to travel with Norrin! I think about a post I read that you wrote, about taking Norrin to a party at your job. Before, you didn't but you did recently and it was OK, right? Well, the same thing goes here I think! Maybe one day you will be able to travel, and Norrin will visit places that will blow his little mind — oh, and you too!! Finally, I know a blogger who had an amazing opp and wasn't able to go because she didn't have a passport– maybe something will happen and you will need one for whatever reason– maybe it would be good to have?? (JUST in case, because you never know the places you'll go!!) abrazos! TQM
Thank you so much Diana! A passport is just one of those things that I think – what's the point of having it if I'm not planning to go any where. But that's the mindset I have to get out of… XOXO
Powerful post Lisa. Whether you make it abroad again or not you're fortunate to be in a city that holds little enclaves where you can escape to different cultures. That cultural variety is why I travel but at the end of the day, I'm happy that this is the place I come back too. Happy to share some hidden cultural gem recommendations if you want them!
Thanks Maribel!! YES – so very true. I'd love some recs 🙂
I love your last paragraph. I don't have a passport either, I've never been out of the country but like you I feel my journey through motherhood has been well worth it. Stopping by from mama kats kelley at the road goes ever ever on
Thank you Kelley!
Things have changed. You sure do need a PP to get into Mexico…. Not sure about Dominica as I've not been. I think it's worth investing in one for all of you. Boy would benefit tremendously, in my best most honest opining from seeing the world. Yes, not cheap, but so many doable ways. I'm here to guide and advise if you ever need and want. Start short distances if you're concerned about over the ocean trips with him. Much love to you! I'm all for the PP!
I love this post and I love your perspective. My perspective says get a passport, you may never use it, but you open up a world of possibilities just by having it. I myself don't have a passport. Never had one either. I need a passport.
Thank you!! Okay…let's make a pact to get a passport sometime this year.
It is never a bad idea to get a passport. You never know when you might need one. Better to be prepared.
Lisa…everyday I respect you more and more, you are an amazing woman, mother, latina….I thank you for sharing your life with all of us…you are truly a magnificent person….
Disneyworld is an amazing trip! We have taken our kids to Disneyland, but have never been to Florida. I can't imagine how much more difficult it would be to plan a trip with a high needs child. You're such an inspiration!