Gazing into the vast expanse of the Grand Canyon with my 22-month-old son, I savored a profound moment of awe. This capped a 3,400-mile, three-week road trip across the United States with my partner and toddler, highlighting nature’s splendor and family bonding. We traversed Illinois cornfields, Oklahoma ghost towns, and the red-rock deserts of the Southwest, marveling at the St. Louis Arch’s graceful rise.
Reclaiming Life After Trauma
The journey aimed to instill in my son the transformative power of travel, a force that reshaped my world following deep personal trauma. Thirteen years earlier, at age 29, a teenage stranger violently assaulted and raped me during a walk in a park. Trauma’s shadow lingers, resurfacing unexpectedly and evoking helplessness.
Post-assault panic attacks struck at the mere sight of parks. Through gradual exposure therapy and friend support, I rebuilt comfort outdoors, reviving my passion for exploration and self-identity.
Solo Adventure Sparks Renewal
Eighteen months later, I challenged myself with a three-month solo backpacking odyssey across Southeast Asia. Departing London for Bangkok, I navigated trains and buses into uncharted territories. Fears proved unfounded; instead, I rediscovered travel’s delights—jungle temples, volcano climbs, tropical snorkeling, and lasting friendships.
Yet recovery’s depth reveals trauma’s enduring reach on self-esteem, relationships, and confidence amid life’s transitions.
Motherhood and Raising Resilience
Five years ago, twelve years post-assault, motherhood brought new duties: nurturing my son in a world shadowed by misogyny. My attacker, a 15-year-old boy, had already embraced violence. Recent UK data shows a 47% rise in proven child-committed sexual offenses over five years, predominantly by teenage boys. Still, this does not define every boy.
I teach my son empathy, emotional sensitivity, and consent. He grows to inspire goodness and embrace worldly wonder, free from inherited fears.
Family Road Trip Triumphs
To model this, I embarked on that US adventure spanning eight states. Despite nightly motel shifts challenging our toddler’s routine, he thrived amid discoveries: quirky Route 66 landmarks, Arizona’s Petrified Forest dinosaur fossils, and Santa Fe’s pumpkin displays. Each stop sparked fresh excitement, affirming such voyages conquer initial anxieties.
Now five, my son approaches life with boundless curiosity—a trait I cherish. Having reclaimed travel’s thrill after my ordeal, I pass this gift forward, portraying the world as explorable wonder, not peril.
Balancing Caution and Adventure
Potential dangers linger in decisions, trauma forging an anxiety barrier. I strive to shield him, exemplifying bold strides unhindered by past shadows, eyes open to awaiting joys.
This travel essence inspires my latest novel, What We Left Unsaid, chronicling estranged siblings’ Route 66 journey—available now.
