The night before takeoff

We're leaving together
But still, it's farewell
And maybe we'll come back,
To earth, who can tell?
I guess there is no one to blame
We're leaving ground (leaving ground)
Will things ever be the same again?
It's the final countdown.
Oh, it's the final countdown.

The final countdown lyrics by Europe

I spent the day yesterday in final preparation-reviewing my itinerary, logistics, and packing. I also visited my parents in the afternoon. At one point, the TV was on, and our family's favorite channel-Natural Geographic, was humming in the background. Then, an episode of "Africa's Deadliest" featuring the feline hunters ran. Did you know a cheetah can sprint to speeds up to 60mph in 3 seconds? What the lion lacks in speed makes up in animal cunning and pack hunting stealth.

At one point, my father looked at me with a mischievous gleam in his eye, and I knew we were about to play a harmless trick on my mother. "Dear, this is where Yolla is going." He motioned to the image on the tv of the cheetah overtaking the vulnerable gazelle in hunting chase." Then, with a comprehensive, fearful look in her eyes, "Yeee (an Arabic expression of surprised concern). Oh Yolla, this is so dangerous!"

Desperately trying to keep a straight face, I played along, "Don't worry, mother, I'll be very careful when I pet the lion, and I can outrun the cheetah if it chases me."

"Oh my God, Yolla, why do you have to go? Can't you go somewhere safe? Honey, tell her!" she implored.

I quickly relented not having the heart to cause her any more harmless grief. "Relax, mother, it's unlikely I'll leave the safari jeep, and with all the rosary prayers you recite on our behalf, your army of guardian angels will protect me." My dad, of course, laughs and hugs my mother reassuringly. For all her sweet, concerned protestations, my dear mother has been supportive. She admires the amount of freedom the current generation of young women have today and here in the United States. She wishes she had the opportunity to go to college when she was younger. Although she was a diligent, bright student in school, my grandfather would not permit her to pursue college. He believed (like most men of his time in Lebanon) that women did not need higher education when their primary duty was to the home and family. My mother denied the opportunity; she has made every effort to provide those gifts to my siblings and me.

Even as an adult woman, my father has always encouraged my travels and my independent inclinations. Imparting to my siblings and my lessons on how to travel safely and be self-reliant. My travel gene was passed from him to me. As a little girl, our family traveled with my father for his work. He always encouraged us to view our travels as exciting adventures to faraway places. It was a time for us to learn something new about where we were going or the people we would meet. Who wouldn't want to go on an adventure? I suppose after all these years, an adventurous outlook remained with me.