Allan: Caught up in the details

Today marks the final week of preparation for our trip, months in the planning. Those that know me well, know that I’m a planner and very well organized. With that said and a ‘To Do List’ by month...I can’t help but think I’ve forgotten something, something important.

I check my list several times a day, sometimes adding more than I take off. Yes, we have completed our Immunizations and I’ve scanned electronic copies of our International Certificate of Vaccination for our trip files, if in the event, something happens to the originals. Yes, I’ve secured the Entry Visa’s for several countries in which we will be traveling; completing some of the applications was like ‘New Math’ for those of my generation. Yes, I did Wire the Deposit for the Apartment in Argentina we’ve rented next December, but I know I’ve forgotten something, something very important.

Yes, we’ve each gotten our one mighty travel bag and all the necessary gadgets; a mini computer, phones, camera, language translator and an electrical adapter for every possible country, some of which look like you could use to plug in your hybrid car. Yes, we’ve ordered our supply of supplements to cover us until Italy, not wanting to chance a delivery or customs confiscation in China or India. Yes, we gotten all our prescriptions filled for Malaria and problems associated with eating food or drinking water that does not agree with us. Yes, we finalized the rental of David’s Condo and his move out a couple of weeks ago, renting it on Friday with the tenant wanting to move in on Monday. Yes, we’ve seen our dentists in the last two weeks; we’re hoping for one trip experience you won’t find in any guide book for Scandinavia--our next teeth cleaning. Yes, I’ve made list after list in addition to notes placed around the house for my father who will be living in and looking after my home while we are away, everything from "how and when to water the plants", to "please don’t use my pots and pans to cook meat in". Yes, I remembered to send in the change of Title for my car that I recently sold, the Volvo that identified itself with a common citrus fruit. Hint: it’s not an orange. But I know I’ve forgotten something, something very important regarding this trip…

…I now remember what I forgot to do, something that should have been on the top of the list from the beginning and was never crossed off...give my friend and partner, David, more than a few moments of my attention through this very busy time. We’ve since acknowledged what is now so obvious, that we are what’s most important about this trip; it just wasn’t on my list.