In two weeks I leave for Italy for my birthday trip with my parents. It should definitely be interesting, and so many people have asked me why I'm doing a trip with them, rather than the previously suggested trip to Vegas.
Simply put, I need to make some memories.
You see, the idea of parental mortality has become an all-too-real thought for me. Ever since ma's open heart surgery, I have become obsessed with making sure that I am prepared for the day that they won't be here any more.
I want tons of pictures. Lots of videos. And just memories that will last me through the rest of my life without them. It's depressing, I know, but I'm all too aware of the reality of mortality.
When my cousin died we held on to every piece of him that we could. Voicemails, photos, videos. I have very few photos of he and I, and because I lived so far away, my memories are limited as well. For a very long time I didn't like to talk about my memories of him because I worried they would get diluted or overshadowed by someone else's.
I don't want to worry about that when my parents pass away.
To prevent that from happening I'm preparing for two weeks with ma and pa Dias. I figure, at the very least, I'll get a few good stories and a million memories. Ma and I have never been, so it should be pretty freaking cool.
And yes, I'm sorry I was born in January when things won't be quite as pretty, but fuck it, we're going to Italy!
