Traveling with Mama Florence

Judy. In late 2016 when we were getting ready to start our great adventure, our dear friend Shirley asked a favor. Her mom was 104, living in a nursing home in Harlem, NY, and was no longer able to travel as she once did. Would we be willing to take a photo of her with us and take pictures of her as we traveled the world? Then we could send digital copies to Shirley and nephew Marcus as “Mama” traveled again.

Ms. Florence, "Mama" at her 100th birthday celebration

What a gift! Mama has gone with us since day one, and often when we ask if a new acquaintance will hold her photograph, they want to give a kiss to this remarkable woman. Sometimes after we send a new photo, Shirley writes back, “Oh, Mama’s been there,” and sometimes she says that her mother would never believe all the places she’s going.

Ms. Florence hiked with us in Vancouver, BC; went with us to the forests of New Zealand; to the Sydney bridge and Opera House in Australia; to Angor Wat in Cambodia; to visit friends in Kuala Lumpur; to Robbin Island off CapeTown, South Africa, where our guide, who had been a prisoner there, insisted on taking a photo with her by Nelson Mandela’s cell. She’s visited with our niece and nephew in Budapest and our friends who live in the former DDR (East Germany).

 

With Ted and Hannah at Monte Alban

In Mexico she went with us to Monte Alban, the ruins of an ancient Zapotec civilization. In Cadíz, Spain, she joined us to explore the Elcano and met a sailor, and in Aix-en-Provence, France, shopped with us at the market.

At the Elcano

Mama with a Spanish sailor

In Canada, we traveled the Acadian Trail together, and in London, had cocktails with

The Anglican church in Tangier

us at the top of the Shard as we watched the sun set. We experienced the church in Tangier and souks of Marakkesh; and sunned on the beaches of Las Palmas in Gran Canaria and Split in Croatia.

In Uruguay we visited the “Hand in the Sand” in Puente del Este, and in Santiago, Chile, she climbed with us weekly to the top of San Cristobal and went with me to Bible study on Mondays.

With the Ladies' Bible Study, Santiago

And she waited in my dressing room each night of DRIVING MISS DAISY, coming out to have her photo made with the cast.

 

With the DAISY cast

Unfortunately, I didn’t save all the photos—big mistake on my part.

Shirley thanks us for taking her along, but the joy is ours. “Mama” has been an integral part of this journey. Shirley says that at 106, she is physically healthy, and sometimes comes out of her mental rest to see and recognize her daughter. At one point, Shirley said, “I don’t know how much longer Mama can travel with you. She’s slowly fading.”

That may be. Mrs. Florence may pass over in the not-too-distant future. But it won’t mean she’ll stop traveling with us. She’s a great travel companion.