Obviously I have outgrown playing with stuffed animals, but I still bring Ke’eko along whenever I travel. I get strange looks, of course, but it’s a tradition that I refuse to break. In foreign places she is my connection with home. She is a grungy, matted, beautiful reference to how far I’ve come in life. She is a constant reminder of the greatest experiences in my life, transporting me back not only to my childhood, but also to the ship deck on that Carnival cruise, my dorm room in Japan, the secluded cabin my grandparents own in Alberta.
So even though it may be silly and childish and embarrassing, she will continue to ride with me to new places. Together, we will see the world.
Do you have any toys that you have cherished beyond childhood? Do you bring anything with you every time you travel, whether it’s a stuffed animal or just a small trinket? Do you own anything that reminds you of somewhere special? Let me know in the comments!