My mother and I were avid travelers. After a lengthy trip to Asia, we discussed traveling to the Middle East and Africa following Covid. Due to our love of ancient civilizations, I had promised my mother that I would take her to Egypt and visit the pyramids. Therefore, we were prepared and had good plans for 2022.

Despite sickness and challenges, you continue to breathe. You continue to live.

2022 was a year of trail racing events, hiking, and living with gratitude until my mother, 82, became ill, and everything changed.

We had to restrict ourselves from following our plans and reprioritize our lives. Due to her muscular disease, she could not move. However, she urged me to keep living and traveling for her so that she could carry her memories with her despite her illness. Due to my commitment to helping and being with her, I could not travel as much as she wanted.

I visited Doha, Qatar, to experience the 2022 FIFA World Cup for work-related reasons. It was a 12-day trip visiting Qatar and Egypt. At least I promised my mom I would have a picture of myself at the pyramids to symbolize our journey together.

Despite being a controversial geographical area regarding human rights, Qatar’s experience was generally positive. Having traveled the world, I know all countries have positives and negatives. It is not my place to judge people or their customs. The only thing I am capable of is embracing peace and understanding. As a result, I found my Qatar experience to be very positive, making friends from all over the world in that country. I was blessed by meeting people from Colombia, Spain, and even people from Frisco, Texas.

During an incredible soccer match, I witnessed Argentina win the World Cup. During my work week down in Doha, I had the opportunity to meet Messi’s family, the best player in the world, as well as many other professional soccer players and sports anchors from the Americas.

As part of my stay, I made a flag for my mother to wish her a speedy recovery. My life was going through a very emotional period at this time. This was the time to commemorate the life of my mother as well as the victory of Argentina, the country where I was born. As a result of my time spent in Qatar, I connected with my mother in a way I had never experienced before.

Following the World Cup celebration, I traveled to Egypt to see the pyramids in keeping with my promise to my mother as a representation of our planned trip that never materialized. My tears lasted almost the entire tour, and I got lost in translation with the guide. He probably thought I was crying from the experience as I rode the camel, but I was crying for my mother.

On the return day, I traveled back to Argentina to see my mother. I had my pictures with me, and she was delighted. Since she was not improving, no sickness could keep her smile away from my sisters and me, giving us peace as if we were all children again. We consider her a rock, our mother, and one of the strongest women in the world.

My journey to Qatar and Egypt was dedicated to my mother, and I will never forget it. Argentina celebrated the World Cup, but for me, Argentina celebrated my mother’s life. After she passed away in January 2023, she went to heaven knowing that at least I had gone to Egypt for her, for us, for our postponed trip that never took place. She was always with me, and it took me some time to realize what was happening.

My advice: Hold on to your parents and hold them close to your heart. Give them a chance to achieve their latest goals in life. This is because they gave you everything you needed as a child, with virtues and defects. However, they gave you their way of loving you no matter what.

You should never forget that your parents are not flawless, but their love is.

Diego Bianco | www.diegotalks.com
Publisher, journalist, and content creator about technology, planet, people, and leadership adventures.