I was writing a list of ideas to help alleviate stress for traveling long distances in open adoption. (Part One & Part Two.) And I came up with this totally awesome idea that we’re going to implement, at least on my part, as of this next visit.

A travel journal. (Number 9 on Part Two).

Many of you know that I started a scrapbook for the Munchkin right after she was born. Then I was emotionally side-swiped by a Mac Truck called adoption loss and never picked it up again. I originally wanted to put in every single picture that D sent me but as she’s the most amazing Mother I know, she took 4965957 pictures and sent me a copy of every single one. I also found it somewhat difficult to scrapbook about pictures that I wasn’t present for… if that makes sense.

So, recently, I’ve been toying about going back and making the scrapbook about any times we’ve had a visit together and including only THOSE pictures and journaling how I felt, what we did, etc. But again, it’s big and daunting and somewhat scary.

So this idea pops in my head as I’m writing this morning. The travel journal. Not about the visits, as I really, really do want to move forward with the scrapbook (but may need some advice from my therapist first), but about the traveling itself. There are many great travel blogs out there to give you ideas. But in general: a journal (paper or digital, but I think I’m going paper. Or both?) where you discuss the events of each travel journey. Ideas can include funny travel stories that you would otherwise forget, keepsakes (turnpike stubs, flight stubs), feelings and emotions leading up to the visit on the long drive or flight.  Also, record the miles driven or flown.

Basically, I just think it’s a fun idea. It’s also something for me to give Munchkin some day and say, “This doesn’t show US. We have pictures of that. But it shows my determination to keep in physical contact with you over the years. We drove 439850957 miles and flew 84675 miles over the years. That’s a lot of time in a car/plane. And I’d do it all over again. A thousand times over.” Or something equally corny and cheesy.

Anyway, I’m just passing the idea on to those that I know have to travel long distances for their open adoption visits and might not read the birth/first parent blog. I’m kind of bummed that I didn’t think of this idea three years ago. We’ve missed a lot of miles.

Now to find an appropriate paper journal. HMM!