Dear Maddie & Max: Travel Has Taught Me One Great Truth…

Insulinde in Punda Willemstad Curacao

“To all the ships at sea, and all the ports of call. To my family and to all friends and strangers. This is a message, and a prayer.

The message is that my travels taught me a great truth. I already had what everyone is searching for and few ever find. The one person in the world who I was born to love forever. A person, like me, of the outer banks and the blue Atlantic mystery. A person rich in simple treasures. Self-made. Self-taught. A harbor where I am forever home. And no wind, or trouble or even a little death can knock down this house.

The prayer is that everyone in the world can know this kind of love and be healed by it. If my prayer is heard, there will be an erasing of all guilt and all regret and an end to all anger. Please, God. Amen.”

– Nicholas Sparks, Message in a Bottle

Dear Maddie & Max,

Traveling lays bare the soul and offers time for introspection. The world and its people are a tremendous, and humbling, yardstick by which to measure one’s own achievements.

Mad-Max Saving Sea Stars in San Blas Panama

The simplicity of it all is this: I thought I would travel to search for something; adventure, answers, opportunity, time. What I am starting to understand, however, is that for which I started searching has been with me all along.

I hope… I pray… that you will find that out for yourself, too.

I love you both,

Dad.

What is your favorite travel quote? Leave it in the comments below. We want to hear from you!

1 reply
  1. Rebecca Bingham
    Rebecca Bingham says:

    What a great post. Your observation and conclusion is the crux of the book I’m writing. Would love to include the quote.

    Rebecca Bingham (McCormick)
    PO Box 20212
    Hot Springs, AR 71903
    501-318-8222 Cell

    I’m a storyteller at heart. Since 2007, I’ve followed my passion as a full time international travel journalist and photographer for newspapers, regional lifestyle magazines and online publications. On the road, you’ll usually see me wearing lipstick and pearls, holding a cup of coffee in one hand and an iPhone7 Plus in the other. With any luck, I’ll be near live music or somewhere close to water– especially if fishing is an option. When not traveling, I play cello in a professional string quartet. This year, I’m working as a digital nomad, living in a series of vacation rentals while I write a book called “Finding Home: Creating Comfort in a Chaotic World.”

    Member, Society of American Travel Writers
    Member, Arkansas Press Association
    Member, Southeast Outdoor Press Association
    Member, Nat’l Society of Newspaper Columnists

    Reply

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