I ran out of fingers counting how many people were surprised that I was spending 2 ½ weeks traveling abroad with my mother. Their reactions were not because we were heading to China or that we opted to forgo an organized group tour. Their astonishment was that I was spending that much time alone with my mother. Over and over friends said “I could never do that with my mom” and over and over I am so grateful that we made the trip together.
For both of us it was our first trip to China and the wonder of the sites was a huge piece of what made the adventure so special. Yet, it was much more than exploring the amazing temples or watching villagers carry buckets of water from the town well. For me, it was the opportunity to step out of my life and share this suspended time with my 80 year old mother. We had never-ending fun exploring so many completely unfamiliar places. If you ask me about our itinerary, there’s a good chance I would forget some of the details. But if you ask me to describe what we did, I could accurately and succinctly say “we giggled and laughed our way together through China!”
In the end, my favorite part of the trip was the solid layer of friendship we added to our mother-daughter connection. So to any daughters considering a trip with their elderchick mother, or any elderchicks considering a get-a-way with their daughter, my emphatic advice is “take the leap”. There’s a good chance that along with the new memories from your travels you’ll add a cherished dimension to your relationship.
ElderChicks 
Dear Jane,
I can honestly say that one could not find a better companion than your mother to most anything with – including writing a book and having a blog. But your experience is extremely special. Mother-daughter time, when both are both young and old enough to realize how precious it is, is an incredible gift for both.
Dear Jane:
I haven’t seen you since you were a little girl, and I was a mother the same age as yours. That both of you are lucky to have each other, to share spectacular times together, and to be sensitive and appreciative of the opportunites is a given.
Your mother is a remarkable woman. She is intelligent, caring, kind and funny! What more could one want in a travelling companion, let alone a relative.
I look forward to hearing of your shared adventures to come.
Happy, healthful New Year to you both and all you hold dear.
Roslyn Bornfriend
Among my most treasured memories is a trip my father and I made together. So, I’d encouraged daughters and mothers or daughters and fathers to considering a trip together. My father was not well traveled so I found amazing how many things were new to him that I took for granted. The trip plans can be made together but if the daughter needs to be “in charge” that is OK too. Just go somewhere, anywhere, while you can do it together. Don’t miss the opportunity!
Dear Jane,
What a wonderful tribute to both you and your fantastic mother. It is so special to have watched the excitement grow as the two of you began to plan for this trip to China. It wasn’t the months and months of searching, it was watching as mother and daughter, almost a continent apart, put their brilliant minds together, separate the tasks, made reservations, cooridinated flights, and bought the right outfits for China (and didn’t even wear) because the trip was more than the clothes on your back. The trip was filled with years of love, caring, smiles and even a few tears, and the thrill of time; precious time to be spent with each other.
Fondly,
Marylen Oberman
Jane,
I have emailed this to my daughter. Hint. What a grand idea! Nonstop loving for a memorable time.
Lois Roelofs
How sweet a story. I to went to China with my eldest daughter Liza, about 33 years ago. We bonded but did not giggle or laugh a lot as visiting China then was a big hassle. Looking back it was a momentous time for both of us.
Jane, What a sweet story.
Chiqui