Beyond this place, there be dragons...

Elaborate gold gilt dragon currently adorning a vitrine at Galeries Lafayette, Paris.

"Beyond this place, there be dragons!" These words once were found on every map, at the place where the mapmakers' known worlds stopped. These words sparked the exotic mysteries that beckoned every adventurer, every dreamer, every person curious to see past their immediate environs. It is the place that the discoverers sailed beyond and were rewarded for their bravery by finding the Americas.

I am about to embark on a journey that is different from the hundreds I have taken over the years. Yes, some of the roads will be familiar; other parts unknown and a little scary. But this journey is important, as it marks a huge passage, not only in my daughter's life - as she presents her first fashion collection to critics, including designer John Galliano - and graduates with honours from college. It also marks the culmination of a journey that Jordana and I have traveled together - just the two of us, on our own. Occasionally we had help from family and friends and when Jordana was 15, David came along as a father figure. But for the most part, it was just Jordana and me.

We navigated a long and sometimes difficult road, living in other countries, frequently traveling, adapting to changing circumstances and for Jordana, new schools - not always easy, but worth the persistent effort. I am thankful for Jordana and so very proud of the bright, talented and engaging young woman she has become, despite all the odds, some might say. Some well-meaning people once suggested I should stay in one place and suppress my dreams to insure more stability for my daughter. I didn't listen to those people; I chose my own path and by extension, Jordana's.

I always believed that as long as Jordana felt loved and safe, she would be fine. And I think she would argue that all the travel, the adventures, the ever-changing situations made her more courageous, tolerant, flexible and able to cope with any situation. I think Jordana would tell you that she's gained a multicultural world view that serves her well, wherever she goes. I think she would agree that while she may not have had as many material luxuries as her friends with two working parents, she gained invaluable experiences while living and traveling in some of the world's greatest cities, meeting many fascinating people along the way.

For Jordana, I pray her best adventures are still to come. And I will be cheering her on, along whatever path she chooses.

For me, the three-week journey that begins in Savannah also heralds major changes. Some thrilling challenges and creative opportunities are unfolding and I will see many friends, both old and new. Much excitement ahead! My laptop and camera are accompanying me, so barring technical glitches, will be posting on Paris Parfait comme d'habitude. Hope you'll come along for the ride!

Comments

[Laume]

I've given this a lot of thought, having to "create" a childhood for five kids. And having a lot of unexpected events change the model I set up to provide. Lots of sidetracks and unexpected moves and even some events to endure that were both scary and tragic. But you know what, I don't think it really matters whether the shape or size of the model, whether it's a Leave it to Beaver suburban house or a hippie bus that travels from place to place, one parent or two. Or any other scenario. All have benefits and all have downsides. What matters is that children growing up knowing they are loved, that someone out there is looking out for them so they don't have to do the scary business of being a grown up too soon, and at the same time that they have a cheering section for when it's finally time for them move out and on. That saying about providing your child with two things - roots and wings. I spent a lot of time when my kids were young feeling sad they they weren't going to have some of the experiences that I cherished from my childhood. Building snowmen, autumn leaves. Can't really do that in coastal California. But then one day, watching my kids build sand castles at the beach, I realized it wasn't MY childhood this time around, it was THEIRS. And they would have just as many cherished memories, they'd just be different memories - as it should be. (Ironically, we moved to a four season climate and my kids ultimately ended up with both sand castles and snowmen in their childhood.) And despite all the craziness that I knew, as the adult, existed, my adult kids often reminisce about their perfect childhood. How odd and how wonderful. My own childhood was far from normal and as much as I wished for it to be more normal when I was in the middle of it, I now know it's created my world view and I wouldn't trade it for normal for a million dollars. Or, with inflation, a billion dollars. Okay, maybe TMA, but this is a subject that I've spent a lot of time pondering.

[JanePoe (aka Deborah)]

I hope you have a wonderful trip - I heard a great piece on NPR about Jordana's school and the upcoming visit from Galliano - impressive! Happy almost Mother's Day :) xx, JP/deb

[Karen DeGroot Carter]

Such exciting times for you and Jordana, Tara! How I wish I could meet you in San Francisco to hear all about it. Best wishes to you for a phenomenal trip and to Jordana for success with her designs and for continued happiness always. Le Jour de Mère Heureux (I sincerely hope that translates to Happy Mother's Day!) from Denver, K.

[giggles]

Nothing more valuable to a child than love, attention and security from a parent. As long as she was by your side she had EVERYTHING. Wishing you and Jordana a future full of love, abundance and success! Happy Mothers day Tara, you gave Jordanna ethics, tenacity, and adventure what a brilliant mother you are!
I'll drink to that!! Have a glorious celebration, this is truly an exciting fruition!

Hugs and love Sherrie

[Becca]

How wonderful to celebrate Mother's Day weekend by embarking on this journey. You daughter has indeed been fortunate to follow you on your exciting life journey - and now she begins one of her own!

I wish her great success and happiness!

[marita]

sweet tara,
our lives with our daughters have made us richer than we've could imagined back then...
we fear no unfamiliar roads, we fear no dragons!

wishing you a great trip, again a new road to conquer!! ;)

[Tammy]

Jordana is a wonderful young woman and I think her childhood helped mold her into such a worldly, compassionate adult. You did good mom and you set a great example.

Great success to you both! Happy Mother's Day Tara! XXOO

[Gillian]

You have summed it up perfectly and so beautifully. You have done so well for your daughter, she is the beneficiary of the life you have provided to her. . .and all of that will serve her well in so many areas. Particularly the fact that she designs...what ideas could possibly spring from a silver-spoon fed beige existence? The love of people is what matters, the stuff you gave her that built her up from the inside...not the external false senses of power that many think money and possessions can bring.
We often talk of our children being dragged around and shown things, museums, other countries, and of them living above a shop...my shop. They are so young yet grasp the ways of commerce so brilliantly, they will have a solid foundation of that to build on. We wholeheartedly agree with this post (speaking of my hubby and I) and would give you the biggest hug for your bravery, and your courage to stand by your convictions and do things your way. What a maverick you are Tara. I love that about you!!!
Enjoy your journey, document it well as you know we'll be dying for a play by play of every minute of it...
Congratulations to the beautiful Jordana too, and I wish her nothing but the best outcome!!! (John Galliano? My chin hit the floor!!! I adore or should I say, J'adore his work!!! Love it!)
And love you too, remember to have fun and follow your bliss....
xoxoxox

[studio wellspring]

what an inspiration to me you are, tara, in so many wonderful ways! i hope you & jordana have successful, safe & blessed travels and i cannot wait to meet you in person when you make your way to the city by the bay.

[pepektheassassin]

Have a fantastic journey! And, with the developments happening so quickly in Lebanon, when you have a moment, check out my link to the Middle East (besides you) who is a poet (Lebanese) who lives in Philidelphia. His family is still in Lebanon. He has an interesting and informative blog at arch.memory

Best wishes for Jordana's success!

[Colette]

What a wonderful journey. this lap has only just begun, and may it be filled with success and flowers! I had a peripatetic growing-up, and it has enriched my life so much that now, looking back, I don't regret it at all, even though there was a time I longed to have roots to just one place.
Bon voyage!
xoxo

[Di Overton]

Wish Jordana well from me and I am sure her first fashion presentation will go down a storm. Though I haven't met her I know if she's anything like her Mum she will go a long way. Have a great trip and hope to see you during the summer when we can catch up and talk the hind leg off a donkey as we Brits say :)