At 65, Grandma Goes On Her First Travel Abroad After Working 2 Jobs All Her Life

Aug 09, 2023 by apost team

In the summer season, Europe usually welcomes an influx of tourists seeking the quintessential warm and alluring holiday experience. However, amid this wave of travelers, a grandmother's journey stood out as the ultimate adventure.

Debbie Myers, 65, has devoted her life to working two jobs, yet the allure of international travel has always eluded her until a few years after the world recovered from the lockdowns. Accompanied by her 34-year-old daughter, Shannon Galford, Debbie took her first-ever voyage across the Atlantic in 2023 to explore Europe's wonders.

Their monumental journey, which saw her and her daughter explore iconic destinations like London, Paris, and Tuscany, and was documented on Instagram, was made possible through years of saving. The fact was that the grandmother gained an unexpected silver lining during a global health crisis.

After tirelessly working two jobs throughout her life, Myers yearned to explore the beauty of Europe but the financial constraints seemed insurmountable. However, the grandmother, who mainly worked as a retail manager from Seattle, Washington, found an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream when the world had to shut down. Myers took this time for her and her daughter to start meticulously planning and saving up for the ultimate European adventure.

Galdford, who has always loved traveling, knew that her mother's wish was to visit Italy. It was something Myers could not stop talking about, but she always thought there would never be any chance.

According to Via Travelers, the average cost of a two-week Italian holiday would amount to about $2,500 to $4,00 a day per person. However, with careful planning and budgeting for two and half years, the mother-and-daughter pair made it work. 

So, in May 2023, Myers and Galford went on their planned European holiday together. Their meticulous efforts led to a two-and-a-half-week adventure that included mesmerizing stops in romantic, unforgettable, and picturesque landscapes.

"There really are no words. It was magical and awe-inspiring," Myers said. "And since it was something I always wanted to do, I was emotionally shocked it finally happened."  

Galford kept posting photos and videos of their trip on Instagram. Her mother admitted that she has been looking back at this documentation whenever she has a bad day.

"You can always make more money, but you can’t make more time," Galford wrote in the captions of one of the montages she made featuring her mother's best moments during their holiday. "So drink the fancy champagne, go on the trip, experience new things, take goofy videos, laugh and cry and let yourself feel the joy of experiencing the world with people you love."

The trip, however, meant much more than just sightseeing. For Galford, it was a way to honor her mother's aspirations and create cherished memories in the aftermath of her father's passing in 2021.

"I didn’t want my mom to miss out on these beautiful experiences!" Galford said. "To watch her fall in love with Paris and Italy and places that make me so happy. It was so beautiful."

Their European adventure not only solidified their bond as mother and daughter but also highlighted the transformative power of travel. Myer expressed her gratitude for her daughter's support, acknowledging that her dream would not have come true without her assistance and prodding.

Experiencing the fulfillment of setting and achieving goals was truly satisfying for the 65-year-old. She considered the trip such a transformative experience that she's looking ahead and saving up for another holiday. 

apost.com

Indeed, age is no barrier to exploring the world and creating lasting memories! Do you know someone who has yet to take a trip that may change their life? Then tell them all about this story!