• I'm a frequent traveler who's taken hundreds of flights in my life, but one stands out as the best.
• I saw Mount Everest during my 50-minute flight from Kathmandu, Nepal, to Paro, Bhutan.
• The snowcapped Himalayas took my breath away — I've never seen such an incredible view in my life.

I've been lucky enough to travel to more than 50 countries in my lifetime and have taken hundreds of flights around the globe.

Some flights are definitely more memorable than others, but by far, the most spectacular one I've ever been on was from Kathmandu, Nepal, to Paro, Bhutan, in May.

It wasn't the amount of legroom or the gourmet meals on the menu that blew my mind — it was the scenery out the window.

Specifically, passengers on board that particular route have the chance to see one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Mount Everest, in all of its glory from above.

At first, I was a bit nervous about our flight to Bhutan

Last year, I finally convinced a few of my girlfriends to join me on an eight-night trip to Bhutan, a small country in the Himalayas between China and India.

To get to Bhutan, we flew with the national air carrier Drukair, also called Royal Bhutan Airlines, from Nepal's capital to Paro.

The flight was less than an hour, but I was nervous as we boarded.

Paro International Airport is nestled in Paro Valley, surrounded by the Himalayan Mountains.

The topography makes the area notoriously tricky for even skilled pilots to navigate, and very few are even qualified to take off or land at the small airport.

Because of these factors, operations at Paro International Airport are limited to daylight hours and when there is clear visibility. Luckily, the weather seemed perfectly clear on the day we took off.

As we flew, I saw nothing but clear skies and mountain views

Shortly into the 50-minute flight, the airline hostesses served us refreshments and I felt myself relax. Soon, the captain told passengers to look out the windows on the left side of the plane.

There, towering above the clouds, were the most stunning views of the snowcapped Himalayas, with Mount Everest standing tall above the rest.

The beautiful view literally made me squeal like a child who had just discovered candy for the first time. Seeing the world's tallest mountain from above felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

I recommend this flight, even if just for the views

When we touched down at Paro International Airport shortly after, I was still buzzing. Fortunately, our plane's landing proved to be smooth and uneventful.

My friends and I also had an amazing time in Bhutan. We got to visit awe-inspiring religious sites, watch epic archery shows, embark on thrilling outdoor hikes, and much more.

If you're ever visiting Nepal, I'd highly recommend taking a detour to Bhutan, even if it's just to experience the views from this flight.

For as long as I live, I'll never forget the pure magic of seeing such famous mountains from above.

• A few years ago, my husband started working away from home for three days each month.
• At first, I was nervous about solo-parenting our three kids.
• However, they behaved even better while he was gone, and I loved the time alone.

Three years ago, our family of five moved from Melbourne, Australia, to the small town of Bright in regional Victoria. It was a massive upheaval, and there were a lot of adjustments. For one, my husband had to start working away from home for three days once a month.

Every four weeks, he'd drive four hours to Melbourne to take care of business at his original remedial massage and myotherapy clinic. The rest of the time, he'd treat patients at his clinic in Bright.

I wasn't sure how I'd deal with parenting by myself

Initially, I was anxious about how I'd cope with three kids alone while still working, paying bills, and taking care of everything at home. My husband and I had lived together for 15 years, since I was 25 and he was 29. That was pretty much all I knew.

I remember the first time he left, he asked my mother-in-law and sister-in-law to check in on me regularly. They'd pop by to help feed the kids or to do homework with them. I knew they were also secretly making sure that I wasn't feeling lonely or overwhelmed.

However, much to my surprise, I quickly realized that I loved those three nights alone. Suddenly, I could eat a boiled egg for dinner guilt-free without feeling any pressure to make a decent meal for my husband. I could watch a romantic comedy or whatever mind-numbing crap I wanted on Netflix or read my book with our bedroom light on until midnight. I could generally have some downtime from our relationship.

My kids behave well when he's gone

Whereas I'd worried that the kids would misbehave without my husband to lay down the law (he tends to be the disciplinarian), it was actually the opposite. They were better behaved when I was solo parenting. Funnily enough, my husband said it was the same for him when I'd occasionally go away for work. Maybe they knew that mom or dad was working hard to do all the jobs alone, so they took it easy on us.

On a personal level, being forced to solo-parent was good for me in many ways because I proved to myself that I could do it. It was the confidence boost I needed. It also turned out to be the best thing for our marriage.

Having space from one another sometimes is good for us

When we got married in 2015, my mom gave us some good advice: she said it's important to always have space in our togetherness, and I think she was right. She and my dad have always been free spirits — traveling by themselves at various points in their lives and having their own separate hobbies and interests.

For my husband and me, having space from one another does wonders for our relationship. I adore my husband and love spending time with him, but having those few nights to myself each month keeps things fresh and our relationship alive. Whenever he gets home on a Saturday morning, the kids and I miss him, and it's like the distance has made the heart grow fonder.

Recently, my husband started discussing what the next chapter of his work life may look like. One option is to sell his business in Melbourne and simplify things so that he only has one clinic in Bright. When he floated the idea, part of me thought, "But what about my boiled egg dinners and rom-com nights? Does that mean we'll be together 365 nights of the year again?" Of course, I'll support him with whatever he decides to do.

Some couples can spend every waking moment together and keep the spark alive. For us, a little bit of downtime from each other makes us appreciate what we do have even more. And there's nothing wrong with that.

• I lived in Banff, Canada, throughout my 20s. I loved the North American town and would move back.
• The people I encountered were so kind, and I loved experiencing the changing seasons.
• Banff had beautiful wildlife, and Canada had great cuisine that I still think about.

When I was 25, my friend asked me if I wanted to move to Banff, Canada. Without giving it much thought, I jumped at the opportunity.

Within a few months, I quit my job at a daily newspaper in Australia, sold most of my worldly possessions, and boarded an airplane for Calgary, Alberta.

My friend had lined us up with an agency that sorted out all the visa paperwork and organized a job in Banff, so it was a really smooth transition.

I'll never forget sitting on a bus driving from Calgary to Banff and seeing the Rockies for the first time. That was the start of one of the most magical periods of my life.

There's nothing like watching the changing seasons hit beaches and mountains

One of the many things about Canada I first fell in love with was its changing seasons.

Coming from the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, I had never really experienced proper seasons before. The Gold Coast typically averages about 300 days of sunny weather a year.

When we arrived in Banff, it was fall. There was something so striking about the golden and orange hues of the autumn leaves set against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.

As the days grew shorter and colder, Banff became a winter wonderland. The first time my friend and I saw snow falling, we ran outside, laughing and dancing in the snow like two little girls.

For someone who'd grown up on a beach in a sub-tropical climate, that was pretty special.

Experiencing holidays North American-style was a blast

As Halloween approached, I realized what else I'd been missing in Australia.

When I was a child, we would go trick-or-treating in our street, but none of the houses would be decorated and we'd be lucky to come across a neighbor who actually had candy to share.

In contrast, Halloween was incredible in Banff. There were costume parties, bonfires in the park, jack-o'-lanterns on people's lawns, and spooky decorations adorning most buildings.

For Thanksgiving, my Canadian friends made me a traditional Canadian pumpkin pie — something I'd never tried before. Throughout the season, locals showed me that North American hospitality I'd heard so much about.

Christmastime also felt extra special celebrated against a snowy backdrop, and we experienced some of the most festive decorations we'd ever seen in Canada.

I miss so much of the food

During my time in Canada, I also fell in love with the food.

I've traveled to many places but, in my opinion, North America seems to do food better than everybody else. The serving sizes tend to be big and the flavors strong and tasty.

One of my favorite things to eat in Canada was the local favorite, poutine — fries with cheese curds and brown gravy. It proved to be the perfect après-ski treat after a day of shredding the ski hills around Banff.

There are so many other foods I miss, such as Nanaimo bars (made with wafers, nuts, and coconut crumbs) and fluffy pancakes with pure Canadian maple syrup.

I'd also love to once again have fresh BeaverTails (a fried-dough treat) and the mighty Caesar (a zesty tomato-clam-juice cocktail with vodka).

I still think about Banff, and I'd move back in a heartbeat

After living in Canada, my partner and I moved to London and then to various parts of Australia, but we never felt that same magic.

We miss Banff's incredible mountains, beaches, forests, and wildlife that often took our breath away. Above all else, we miss the people in Canada the most. We met some of the kindest, most caring souls you could imagine there — people who instantly felt like family.

If I had my time again, I would've spent longer in Canada before moving on after a year and a half. Even now, more than a decade later, I'd say goodbye to our home in Bright, Australia, and move back to Banff in a second.

On all of my travels to more than 50 countries, I've never found another place quite like it, and it will always have a special place in my heart.

• Linda Townsend, 76, is a mom of four from the Gold Coast of Australia.
• She says that though many people dread the teenage years, that's when she was the happiest.
• She and her kids had plenty of fun together, and she enjoyed helping them in school.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Linda Townsend, a 76-year-old mom of four from the Gold Coast, Australia. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Many parents dread the adolescent years when children tend to become moody and aloof as they go through puberty. But for me, my kids' teenage years were the happiest of my life because we had so much fun together.

I became a mom at 23 and had three children — a girl, a boy, and another girl — all within five years before having my fourth child, another girl, at 36. When the three older ones were teenagers, we never had much money because my husband was out of work a lot, but we always had a good time.

My kids and I had plenty of fun together

We've had a lot of parties over the years. There were milestone birthdays to celebrate and dress-up parties galore. All of our kids' friends and their parents would come. We'd dance until the wee hours and have a ball.

I used to have a lot of spontaneous fun with my kids. Sometimes, I'd take my three girls to the local lake, and we'd skinny dip. At certain times of the year, there was this bioluminescence in the water. If we shook our hands, all of these green luminous stars would shimmer and glow. We'd hold hands in the moonlight and float under the stars, talking about our plans and dreams. It was magical.

By the time my youngest became a teenager, we were in a better place financially, and I did a lot of traveling with my daughters. When the youngest was 14 and my older girls were 22 and 26, we roadtripped around Mexico and California while my husband and son stayed home. The following year, when my youngest was 15 and my second youngest was 23, the three of us traveled through the Middle East together. I loved the fun and the adventures we shared.

I helped them through school and hard times, too

Although my kids were my best friends, I also knew they needed guidance and discipline. As a parent, you're there to teach them boundaries and manners. I loved helping them choose school subjects and getting them on the right academic path for their university degrees.

Being able to learn with them and being involved in their education was a highlight for me. When my youngest did French immersion, I taught her French grammar (which my mother taught me). I would sit in the bedroom with her, and we would translate her homework into English and then back into French. I believe that parent involvement is critical to a child's advancement.

If my kids were ever moody, I understood that it was mostly hormonal and just tried to give them privacy. They'd lock themselves away in their rooms and listen to their music. When the time was right, I'd talk to them, listen to their problems and fears, and do what I could to make sure they were happy. If they confessed to doing something wrong at school, I'd guide them to do the right thing.

It was hard when they moved out, but we're still connected

When the four kids left, I struggled with empty nest syndrome, especially when my youngest moved from where we live in Australia to Canada in 2010. I was heartbroken, but you have to let them fly. My kids were such a big part of my life. They were my reason for existence, and for a long time, I struggled to find purpose in other things, but eventually, I did.

These days, I have seven grandkids, and I enjoy spending time with them, as well as with my friends and my husband. I still need that contact with my children. You never let go of them in your heart. The love is always there. The connection between the mother and child is very strong, and for me, my kids were my best friends and the light of my life.

• Shawn Robertson's parents lived with him, his wife, and their kids for many years.
• He says there were plenty of benefits to living together, though there were challenges, too.
• There wasn't much privacy, but his parents got to spend time with their grandkids.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Shawn Robertson, a 55-year-old from Tsawwassen, British Columbia. It has been edited for length and clarity.

When my folks were still alive, they lived with us for many years. Multigenerational living had many perks, but it also had challenges.

I grew up in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, and lived in the same house my entire life. Around the time my wife Cori and I got engaged, both of my parents started experiencing health issues.

They told us they would have to sell the house and move into a graduated care facility for older people, but Cori and I agreed they should stay in the house for as long as possible. We believed it would be better for them health-wise. We also knew that if we didn't stay close to them when we started having kids, they wouldn't see their grandkids very often, as we'd likely end up settling in another part of Canada.

So right after we got married, Cori moved in, too, and we started taking care of Mom and Dad. Our house is a double-story building with five bedrooms and a den, so there was plenty of room for all of us.

There were plenty of benefits to living with my mom and dad

Mom and Dad shifted from the upstairs to the downstairs. It was easier for them not to have to walk up and down the stairs to get to their bedroom. Over the years, multigenerational living has had many positive aspects. When we welcomed our three sons and daughter, it meant that they spent plenty of quality time with our kids.

My folks were homebodies, so they didn't mind watching our kids or our pets. If we were running down to our trailer at Mt Baker and we asked them to watch the dogs for the weekend, it was never a problem. If we wanted to go out for dinner and leave the four kids with them, they never once said no.

I know some grandparents feel like they're taken advantage of in that regard, but my parents never felt that way. Their philosophy was the more time they had with the grandkids, the better. The kids kept them feeling young for as long as possible. Another benefit was that my parents never felt lonely.

My dad died in 2004 when the kids were still quite young, but my mom was a big part of their childhood. She was always present, and being right downstairs, my kids could spend time with her whenever they wanted. I think some of their fondest memories were of watching dog shows together and having tea with her, or playing outside while she watched on.

Some aspects of our situation were challenging, too

There were some challenges to multigenerational living, too. My parents never meddled in our affairs, but they did know all of our business as the house is very open. On occasion, they would let their opinions be known, even when they weren't asked for.

As the kids grew older and became teenagers, the lack of boundaries became more challenging. Sometimes, they'd be rushing in the morning to get to school, and Mom would ask them for help with something. They wouldn't want to tell her no, and it usually wasn't anything too big, but when you're on a time crunch and you're a teenager, everything seems like a hassle.

There were also budgetary impacts associated with multi-generational living. We bought food for my parents and never asked to be reimbursed. I also did renovations on the house. I figure we probably incurred about $75,000 in personal debt over the years.

In 2012, Mom slid off the side of the bed and was taken to hospital. She was diagnosed with double pneumonia and wasn't supposed to last the night, but ended up living for another three years.

That was the beginning of the end, though, and her health continued to decline. When we could no longer care for her, we decided it would be best for her to live in a care facility, where she lived for three years before she died in 2015.

Cori and I have always said given our time again, we'd make the same choice to live with my mom and dad. The kids had a better relationship with my folks as a result, and the benefits definitely outweighed the negatives in my mind.

But my advice to others who want to try multigenerational living is to have separate accommodation on-site, like a granny flat, with its own entrance. The lack of privacy can strain even the best of families. I'd also recommend both parties set some ground rooms from the outset.

• After visiting over 50 countries around the world, a few places truly stood out.
• Some of my favorite major cities include New York City and London.
• I loved experiencing otherworldly beauty in Salar De Uyuni in Bolivia and Machu Picchu in Peru.

Ever since I was a little girl, I've had a bucket list of places I've wanted to visit. I've always worked hard and saved hard in order to travel to the places that captured my attention.

Although travel opinions are subjective, and the places that I find bucket list-worthy might not ring true for others, there are certain locations I haven't been able to stop thinking about.

Whether it's the cultural richness they offer or the natural beauty they display, certain destinations just have that wow factor.

Here are seven incredible places around the world that I think everyone should visit at least once.

Visiting Salar De Uyuni in Bolivia is a unique experience.

Located in southwest Bolivia, Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat. The 10,582-square-kilometer (4,086-square-mile) area is covered in white salt, rock formations, and islands studded with cacti.

The rainy season from roughly December to April is a popular time to visit, as the rainwater creates a mirror effect on the salt flat.

However, during the dry season from May to November, visitors can see crystalized salt patterns and drive across the white, otherworldly landscape to places that aren't accessible during the rainy season.

We visited in March and experienced the mirror effect, which was breathtaking. If you enjoy photography, you'll love letting your imagination run wild, taking crazy perspective photos set against the endless horizon.

Machu Picchu, Peru, is breathtaking in person.

In my opinion, Machu Picchu should be on everyone's bucket list. The 15th-century archaeological site can be accessed by train, bus, or a multi-day trek along the Inca Trail.

My husband and I took a four-day tour that included hiking, mountain biking, and zip lining. On the final morning, we woke up early and hiked from Aguas Calientes up to the ruins, which took about two hours.

As the fog cleared, we finally understood what all the hype was about. In the end, the view was worth the height-induced anxiety.

There's nothing quite like seeing New York City for the first time.

When we lived in Canada, my husband and I took an overnight bus from Montreal to New York City and spent four days enjoying the highlights.

We went ice skating in Central Park, checked out the Statue of Liberty, and saw the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting. It was magical.

There's so much to do in London.

With its rich history and abundance of activities, London is undoubtedly a city that's worth visiting.

For history buffs, I recommend checking out Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey.

Artsy types can enjoy museums like The National Gallery of Art and Tate Modern museums, and for nature lovers, you can't beat Hyde Park or Hampstead Heath on a warm, sunny day.

Cappadocia, Turkey, is otherworldly.

Located in central Turkey, Cappadocia is a place that has to be seen to be believed.

This unique district is known for its otherworldly landscape, comprised of cone-shaped rock formations known as "fairy chimneys." Over millions of years, erosion carved these surreal spires out of soft volcanic rock.

You can stay in a fairy chimney or cave hotel by night, and by day, take a scenic hot-air balloon ride to appreciate the landscape from above.

Italy's Amalfi Coast is a picture-perfect destination.

Italy's Amalfi Coast is undoubtedly one of the most stunning, picture-perfect coastlines I've ever seen.

The highlight for me was Positano, which has pastel-colored buildings lining the hillside by the sea.

The Pyramids of Giza are truly incredible.

My mom took me to Egypt when I was 15 years old, and I remember being blown away by the Pyramids of Giza. I couldn't believe these incredible structures were built thousands of years ago.

During the day, we rode camels around the pyramids, and at night, we watched the Sound and Light Show to learn about ancient Egypt and the construction of the pyramids.

• Philip Townsend, 80, is from the Gold Coast of Australia and has a lifelong group of friends.
• He recently reconnected with those friends for his birthday.
• They reminisced about their friendships, and he says their connections have enriched his life.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Philip Townsend, an 80-year-old from the Gold Coast, Australia. It has been edited for length and clarity.

When I was in my 20s, I made a group of friends while living overseas. They proved to be lifelong mates, and the memories we share mean so much to me.

I grew up in Tasmania, Australia, and at 21, I boarded a ship called the P&O Oriana alone, headed for Canada. That was the start of an amazing adventure.

On the ship, I met a guy named Kevin. He was two years older than me and really amiable. He was a gentle giant, and I found him easy to talk to. We'd go down to the lounge area and have drinks until 3 a.m.

Martin, who also became one of my best friends, was traveling on the ship, too. He was a rogue and spent most of the journey playing cards with the crew.

As the ship pulled into Vancouver, snow covered the mountains, and I was so excited to be there. Martin and I were drinking together on deck chairs, and we ended up getting off the ship together.

We ended up living together

We found a temporary place to stay in a hotel near the wharf, then ended up getting an apartment in a five-story high-rise in the west end. We didn't particularly like the place, but it was a roof over our heads.

One night, we went to a houseboat party, and I met a guy who said he was moving out of a property on Prospect Drive in North Vancouver. It proved to be one of those serendipitous moments in life. I proposed the idea to Martin, and he said, "Let's do it." Kevin ended up moving in with us, too.

It was a double-story weatherboard house on a nine-acre property with a little creek running through it. You'd go over the bridge and then up to the pool house. There was a swimming pool with diving boards and a tennis court. That's where we had all the parties. It was a great setup.

Soon after, I got a job with a car dealership, and one night, this guy walked in. He had an Australian accent and sideburns and was a colorful character. His name was David. He said he'd arrived a few months earlier, so I invited him to a party in North Vancouver, and he fell in love with the place. He moved in immediately.

That's how Martin, Kevin, David, and I met and started living together. It was the happiest time of my life. I was young, free, and felt bulletproof.

Our group started traveling together, and the adventures continued

In 1970, after three years in Canada, we headed to South America on the adventure of a lifetime. Kevin didn't go, but Martin, David, me, and another Canadian we knew spent almost a year traveling together in a van.

After South America, we all went back to Canada for a while and then moved on to Europe. Dave and I bought an Austin A60 and called it "The Black Beast," and we road-tripped around Europe with Kevin and another Australian.

At Oktoberfest, another traveler invited us to Calpe (now Calp) — a small fishing village on Spain's Mediterranean coast. It was a magical time of parties and picnics, day trips to nearby towns, and wine-tasting excursions to local vineyards. While there, I met my future wife.

On the day we were leaving Calpe, one of our American buddies took a photo of Kevin, myself, and David. More than five decades later, we recreated that photo on my 80th birthday.

After the European adventure, Kevin and David headed back to Australia, while I went to London and eventually followed the young woman I'd met in Calpe to what is now called Zimbabwe, where she was from.

As life continued we saw each other less, but we remained close

After we were married and had children, I didn't see my mates from Canada for some years. Once you have a family, things change. We all settled in different parts of Australia, which also makes it hard.

The first major get-together of the Prospect Drive group was in 2004. I flew to Canada, and we skied, enjoyed après skis, and chewed the fat. In 2018, Martin was unwell, and David, Kevin and I flew to Busselton in Western Australia for a week to lift his spirits.

Then, for my 80th birthday in January 2025, Kevin, David, and Martin all flew to the Gold Coast to celebrate with me. I felt really humbled to have them there. There was a lot of reminiscing, and it was always the same old yarns, but we never seemed to get sick of it because it was a revival of a time that meant a lot to us.

Having lifelong friendships has absolutely enriched my life. There's a deep connection to the past and so many shared memories. Those mates are more than just friends — they're family.

• Shawn Robertson, 55, is a recent retiree who worked in the postal service in Canada.
• Robertson says it was hard to get used to retirement at first, but he loves the slower pace of life.
• Since retiring, he's traveled more often with his wife and reconnected with old friends.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Shawn Robertson, a 55-year-old retiree from Tsawwassen, Canada. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Last year, I retired at 55 from my job as a postman after 34 and a half years. I know I'm still in the honeymoon phase, but I'm really enjoying retirement so far.

In March 1990, when I was 20 years old, I decided to join the postal service. My dad had retired by then, but he had previously worked in upper management with Canada Post. I've always thought more long-term, so I wanted something with a good pension and benefits.

I loved my job with the postal service

The official title of my position was "letter carrier." On a typical day, I'd start at 7 a.m., then have about one-and-a-half to two hours to process and organize the mail. After that, I'd leave the station and deliver mail for about six hours before coming back.

It was a pretty simple job, it was just physically demanding. After you finished your delivery, you'd be able to go home, and sometime, I'd finish quite early in the day.

I think the best thing about being a postman was that you're out in nature all day exercising. Every day, I would walk around 15,000 steps just at work, often somewhere between six to seven and a half miles.

I also liked the social aspect of it. I got to know a lot of my customers, and I'd call a lot of them friends. When you think about it, I got a decent wage to exercise and socialize. It was a really good gig.

I had so much fun being a postman, but the last six months were the hardest. I saw the business model changing, and I decided it was time to move on. I'd also paid as much into my pension as I could, so it made sense financially to retire.

May 31 was my last delivery day, and when I came in, there were a few gifts and cards waiting for me. My colleagues had a small goodbye party with a cake and a couple of speeches. But I wasn't officially retired until September 19.

It took time to get used to being retired, but I'm glad I did it

Initially, it felt weird to be retired. It was actually a little on the scary side, because though my wife makes decent money, I'd been the main breadwinner for many years. I had to adjust to getting my pension once a month, whereas when I was working, I was paid every two weeks. Adjusting to the difference in timing took time to get used to.

But now that it's been several months, my apprehensions are over, and I've relaxed into it.

We've traveled a lot in just the few months since I retired, though we likely won't keep up this pace, and have been to Germany, St Louis, Nashville, and Australia already. In between the travel, I've been having lunches with other retired friends from work who I haven't seen for a while. It's been great.

I have zero stress in my life, and what's really nice is that I can see my granddaughter whenever I want. Our kids live close by, and there's a lot of joy in knowing that within a few minutes, you can be at each other's house.

I haven't really gotten into hobbies yet because I haven't had time, but I think the next phase will be about hiking in nature, growing stuff in the garden, and working the land. I also have two side gigs doing landscaping and property maintenance from time to time. It's a really good stage of life to be entering.

I don't have any regrets about retiring early. I've put in my time. I think sometimes you have to know when to go. Going into retirement, you also need to find something you enjoy doing, whether it's a sport joining a walking club, tinkering in the shed, or having a project to keep you busy. I never see myself as bored. I can always find something to do.

• When I was younger, I was scared of being alone.
• I felt like being alone meant I was lonely and that there was something wrong with me.
• As I've gotten older, I've grown to value my alone time and treasure my own company.

It recently dawned on me that the older I get, the more I like spending time alone. I regularly go on solo hikes or movie dates, and I cherish the time by myself.

When I was younger, I had a very different perception of running solo. I used to think that being alone equated to being lonely, but I was so wrong.

In high school, I struggled with friendships and would sometimes feel like a failure or a freak because I only ever really had one close friend. Sure, there were kids who were friendly to me, but I never felt a deep connection with them. As a result, I often felt socially isolated.

When my best friend was off school for the day sick or we were fighting, I remember hiding in the library at lunchtime, feeling lonely and adrift in the world. Even after I'd made a great group of girlfriends at university, if ever I had to eat by myself in the college hall or walk to class by myself, I'd feel self-conscious and like an oddity.

My feelings about being alone changed as I got older

I'm not entirely sure why, but as I got older, I found it easier and easier to make friends. Traveling in my 20s certainly helped — it forced me to get outside my comfort zone and meet people from all walks of life. Having children also helped me attract like-minded people into my life — other women who were trying to navigate parenthood.

Nowadays, at 39, I'm lucky enough to have a really solid network of friends, to the point where I sometimes feel guilty about not being able to give them enough of my time and energy. Throw in three kids, a husband, a busy business, and aging parents, and life frequently feels like a giant balancing act.

Sometimes, I feel myself yearning for that alone time I used to dread so much. I get tired of all the noise and just want a little quiet.

I've started embracing the beauty of being alone, even in a public setting, without fear of judgment from others or feeling uncomfortable. When I have a few delicious hours to myself, I take myself out to breakfast and sit there blissfully silent at the table, reading a newspaper at leisure. On other occasions, if I feel like my energy is depleted, I'll walk into the hills that surround our small alpine town, enjoying the sounds of the birds above and the valley below.

I've grown to love solitude and silence

I've finally realized that silence is a gift and that my favorite company is actually myself. While I love my family and my friends dearly, I really need my own space to recharge and feel refreshed, and there's nothing wrong with that. Solitude is healthy, and it's fun.

Recently, I went to the movies to see a beautiful documentary. It was about a man who traveled along the West Coast of America on a motorbike and the people he met along the way. The ending was very poignant, and I found myself crying as the credits rolled up.

Next to me, a young woman sat sobbing in her chair. I'd noticed she'd come in by herself, like me, and was as equally touched by the film as I was. There was something about her that reminded me of an earlier version of myself.

Without thinking, I reached out my hand and patted hers, and slowly, she stopped crying. "It was a great film, wasn't it?" I said. She smiled and nodded, and then I left.

For me, being alone gives me time to process my thoughts, tap into my creativity, and grow. It helps me to regulate my emotions and to feel at peace. And sometimes, solitude can make me more open to spontaneous moments of connection with others, just like that one in the cinema.

• Shawn Robertson, 55, has lived in the same home in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, his whole life.
• He has experienced major milestones, both good and bad, while living in that house.
• While he says staying put has its perks, he also feels he might be ready for a change.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Shawn Robertson, a 55-year-old from Tsawwassen, British Columbia. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I'm 55, and I've lived in one house my entire life. I've never met anyone else who has lived in the same house for as long as I have.

My parents originally lived in Richmond in British Columbia, Canada, and when they started thinking about adopting a child — me — they decided they needed to be in a more rural setting.

The little town of Tsawwassen fit that bill. It had a good school system and was vibrant and up-and-coming. So, in late 1968, they purchased the land and built the house. It was finished in the summer of 1969.

The house is a very German-looking style. Dad was Scottish, but I think he just liked the look of it. There's brick on the bottom frontage and stucco with what used to be dark brown trim. It's a double-story building with five bedrooms and a den.

I loved growing up in this house

After adopting me, my parents brought me home from the hospital at the end of September 1969. The house would have been big for us — back then, it was just two adults and a tiny baby. My older brother John was 20 and had already left home.

I was more or less an only child, so I had free rein of the house. It's shaped like a U with this big porch in the center, and playing out there was every kid's dream. I remember whipping around on all sorts of different toys and bikes. There was a fairly big backyard, too, so there was always room to run around.

Around the time my wife Cori and I got engaged, both of my parents' health tanked. We decided we would live with them so that they could remain in the home they'd built for as long as possible.

I experienced many milestones in that house, both good and bad. When I married Cori, the house was the drop-off point for my groomsmen. We welcomed our four children while living there and navigated the passing of my dad in 2004 and my mom in 2015. Since then, we've had engagement parties for two of our kids at the house and hosted a baby shower for our granddaughter.

I know all of the house's quirks, and there's a deep familiarity there. We have friends who are still amazed when they find out we're still in the same place. Life doesn't usually allow that anymore, whether it's jobs, kids, or economic upheaval. I feel very fortunate for it.

I also consider a lot of the neighbors to be like family. Many of them have lived around us for easily 30 years or more. It's only recently that a few new ones are coming in, while the old ones are downsizing.

We've considered moving before, and still do sometimes

There have been times over the years when we would have moved if we could have. However, my wife and I felt that it was very important for our kids to have stability during their teenage years.

I retired in September 2024. I don't see our kids taking over the house because they are going in different directions. There's no specific set date to sell the house; however, we are actively looking at other places to live — possibly the Okanagan region of British Columbia.

If I'm being honest, I think it would make it easier on me if a developer demolished the house. It's always going to feel like our home, and if I drive by and see that it's changed, I think I'd feel saddened. On the other hand, if the house was gone entirely, I'd drive by and think, "We had a really nice life here." It would just be different.

We have so many memories in the house and such deep roots there. But the memories do come with you through photos and stories. The kids have fond memories of it, and that's all I need.

• Georgie Noble is a 51-year-old from Porepunkah, Australia.
• Her granddaughter was born when she was just 41, and she loves that she's a young grandmother.
• She has a lot of energy to keep up and feels being young helps her relate better.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Georgie Noble, a 51-year-old grandma from Porepunkah, Australia. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I had my daughter Alisha when I was 16 years old. I actually didn't find out I was pregnant until I was four months along.

There's no doubt that becoming a mother at such a young age was challenging, but Alisha was a pretty easy kid, so I was so lucky in that regard. When Alisha turned 16, and I was 32, I had my second child, Tai.

One of the perks of being a young mom meant that when my daughter had a child of her own, I was also a young grandma. I'll never forget when Alisha broke the news to me that she was pregnant. I was 41 at the time.

Alisha has always referred to my mom as "GB," which stands for "Granny Bett." Mom became a grandma at 46 and never wanted to be called "Nana," so we came up with the nickname for her. One day, Alisha called me out of the blue and said, "Mom, guess what? You're going to be a GG — Granny Georgie."

I was so excited. Being a grandparent is wonderful because you get to enjoy another little one, but you can also hand them back at the end of the day.

I spent time with my daughter after she gave birth

As Alisha's due date approached in December of 2014, I flew from my home in Porepunkah, Australia, to Brisbane, where Alisha lives, so that I could be there for the birth. When she went into labor, I was with her at the start supporting her through the contractions.

It's difficult to watch your daughter in labor because you remember what it was like yourself. You also know which stages of labor they're at, and when they're not even close to the final stage, and they're in pain, it can be hard to watch. I didn't want to give her false hope.

Alisha ended up having a C-section due to complications. My beautiful granddaughter was born at 12.22 a.m. on December 12. She certainly liked the number '12'.

The first time I saw her, I was overwhelmed with love. She was such a sweet little baby. Alisha called her Lacey, and though it took a while for the name to catch on, I soon realized that it suited her to a tee.

I stayed with Alisha and her partner for about six weeks, cooking and caring for the baby. After the C-section, Alisha couldn't drive, and she really needed my support. She also felt lightheaded in the bathroom one day, and I was glad I was there with her.

I bonded with my granddaughter immediately

It was a lovely bonding time with my granddaughter. That newborn phase is so special, when they're all new and smell gorgeous. It felt different from when I had my own children — I didn't have the pain to deal with, for starters. When the time came for me to fly back home, I was sad to say goodbye.

As Lacey grew, she and I became very close. She was so much fun. As a grandma, I wanted to enjoy her; to eat her up and do as much as I could with her.

When she'd come down to visit me, we'd make playdough and do crafts together. We'd FaceTime on the phone and play games together on Snapchat. Being a younger grandma meant that I was reasonably tech-savvy, so I could communicate with Lacey in ways that she understood and enjoyed.

You can relate to your grandkids a bit more when you're a younger grandparent. You're closer in age to that generation, which means you're a bit more aware of what's going on in their world.

You also have a lot more energy to keep up with your grandkids. Now that Lacey is 10 and I'm 51, I can happily swim in the pool with her for hours, pick blackberries together, then take the dog for a walk, and still have energy to spare at the end of the day.

Nowadays, Lacey's more of a mommy's girl. She and Alisha are super close. She'll still have a chat with me on the phone, but then she's off. I don't get to see her that often because we live in different states, but when I do see her, I love our time together. She's the light of my life.

• What was meant to be an epic vacation in Bali with 18 family members turned into a bickering mess.
• We should have known it wouldn't work when it took six months to agree on accommodations.
• I'll keep the international vacations to my family of five from now on.

The idea of an epic overseas family holiday was nice in theory but a nightmare in reality, and if I had my time again, I probably wouldn't sign up for it.

The nightmare began in 2022 when my extended family decided to vacation in Bali for Christmas.

We usually get together every other year on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, where I grew up, but this time, we wanted to try somewhere else.

My family of origin and I had been to Bali before and knew what to expect, but we had no idea how different the experience would be with 18 people from five families.

The trouble started before we even got on a plane

Booking accommodations was a complete fiasco and should have been a red flag.

Some people wanted resort-style accommodation with all the bells and whistles — kids' clubs, swim-up bars, and other Western comforts. Others in the group liked the idea of more authentic, budget-friendly accommodation with a Balinese feel.

It took six months and a lot of bickering on our family WhatsApp group to settle on a compromise: We'd stay in three different hotels during our 12 nights in Bali. Moving from place to place wasn't ideal, but it meant everyone felt that their needs were being met.

Bickering over where to eat made me want to hide in my room and order room service

Everyone was excited when the big day arrived, and we all touched down at Denpasar International Airport. The youngest family member, our daughter, was 4 months old. The oldest member, my dad, was 78.

The excitement quickly dissipated at the first resort, though. Some family members wanted an affordable vacation, while others were ready to splurge on food, drinks, and entertainment without concerns about cost.

Meal time was particularly tiresome. Family members with more cash to splash preferred eating at our resort or restaurants in pricier areas such as Seminyak, known for its luxury hotels and high-end shopping and dining.

Whereas those on a tight budget would suggest dining at a local warung, a small traditional Balinese restaurant, usually decked out with simple plastic chairs and tables, offering cheap, tasty food.

The nightly debates about where to eat created unnecessary tension, and I wanted to hide in my room and order room service.

I didn't anticipate the hassle of all the Christmas gifts

Holidaying during the festive season also created a logistical nightmare.

With five different families all celebrating Christmas, we exchanged many gifts.

Lugging the presents there and bringing them home proved to be a challenge, and we sent stuff back to Australia with my folks (who live in another state) because we couldn't fit everything into our two suitcases.

The gifts are still collecting dust at my folks' house.

The worst of it was yet to come

All those hassles paled in comparison to the digestive issues, aka Bali belly, that affected nearly the whole group.

It started with my dad, who went down on day three with vomiting and diarrhea, then took out 15 of the 18 of us. Each night, we'd place bets on who would go down next.

For Christmas Eve, we'd pre-paid for a lavish seafood buffet dinner at hotel number two, the Holiday Inn in Nusa Dua. That night, my husband started experiencing gastro symptoms, and needless to say, Christmas Eve was not what we'd hoped for.

By Christmas Day, our 4-month-old daughter had started projectile vomiting by the pool; then, I woke up feeling horrendous on Boxing Day.

I remember brushing my teeth when I thought I was over the worst of it, letting out a little gas, and then looking at my husband with horror because more than just gas had come out. That was a real low point.

When it was time to go home, I was ready for a real vacation with some actual peace and tranquility.

I think next time, we'll keep the big family get-togethers at my parents' house in Queensland and leave the international holidays to our family of five.

• I was terrified when my son was diagnosed with a life-threatening allergy to almonds.
• He handled the diagnosis bravely, and our friends learned how to use EpiPens.
• He no longer has this severe allergy, but the experience made me so grateful for our community.

In July 2023, my 8-year-old son and I were having a smoothie together in our small town in Australia when he started to complain that his throat felt strange.

He kept on saying that his tongue felt like it was getting bigger, and I noticed he had a red rash down his chin. Our doctor referred us to an allergy specialist, and by October, he'd gotten a skin-prick test.

It revealed one of my worst fears: Our son had a life-threatening allergy to almonds.

Our whole world changed instantly

Allergies such as this can cause anaphylaxis, and symptoms can include difficulty breathing, coughing, fainting, severe stomach pain, and tongue or throat swelling — just like my son experienced.

If not treated immediately, anaphylaxis can be fatal. As I sat there listening to the prognosis, I couldn't believe it. No one in our families had ever had a severe allergy that we knew of, and I didn't know much about them at all.

The pediatric allergist gave us a referral for an EpiPen (an auto-injector used to treat life-threatening, allergic emergencies), issued us with an action plan about what to do in the event of exposure, and said she'd see us in 12 months.

Those first few weeks after the diagnosis, I had terrible anxiety about the situation. I cried often and had nightmares about my son having a bad reaction.

We began carrying an adrenaline injector and antihistamines with us every time we left the house. When my son ate something new, we'd check the labels meticulously for almonds in any form.

Grandparents were schooled in how to use an EpiPen. Friends offered to learn how to use one before a playdate, lest they should have to jab my son.

I started getting ahead of myself and worrying about the teenage years when my son might be drunk at a party and eat something without thinking or when he was older and traveling, unable to decipher ingredients in another language.

It was a rough period, but my son handled it all like a champ. He would religiously check every ingredient label himself, and he got into the habit of asking parents at birthday parties if the cake contained almonds.

After a year, it was time for the follow-up test

After 12 months of stress, we headed back to the allergy specialist for our follow-up appointment.

As I sat there watching my little boy's back flair up with a tapestry of different-sized welts (based on his reaction to the various skin-prick allergens), I felt terrified. What would this test reveal?

"That's interesting," the pediatric allergist said, just as my heart felt like it was going to leap out of my chest. "His almond reaction is half of what it was last year."

She suggested my son do an "almond challenge," in which they'd introduce small amounts of the nut into his system in a controlled setting. We agreed.

When the big day arrived, I asked my son how he felt. "I'm not scared, mummy," he said. "I'll be all right." As he drove with my husband to the allergist's office, I kept thinking how brave he was, even at such a young age.

That day, I could barely concentrate at work until my husband called with the best news of my life: Our son hadn't reacted.

Tears streamed down my face. I felt so overwhelmed with gratitude, but we still weren't quite out of the woods yet.

For seven days after, my son was instructed to eat a small amount of almonds a day at home and note any reactions. When there was nothing to report, he was given the all clear.

To mark a week of no reactions, I gave my son my full blessing to give his former arch-enemy — the almond — the middle finger, and our family had a good chuckle.

We found a silver lining in a stressful experience

Only a very small percentage of children with an allergy to tree nuts outgrow them. It seems my son was one of the lucky ones (or maybe there was another reason his initial skin-prick test was so elevated, we'll never know for sure).

A severe allergy diagnosis really does rock your world, and I feel for others who have to navigate those turbulent waters. Through this experience, though, I learned a lot about the value of true community and friendship.

Our friends made separate cakes just for our son, checked ingredient lists like forensic detectives, and stepped up when given an EpiPen to potentially use.

I also realized that bravery comes in all shapes and sizes and that we can often learn so much from our children. When presented with a scary situation, my young son faced it with courage — perhaps we could all use a little more of that.

• My mom always wanted grandkids, but my siblings and I all had them later in our lives.
• Now that she's an older grandparent, she has less energy to play with her grandkids.
• I had my kids at the perfect time for me, and I have no regrets.

When my partner and I found out I was pregnant with our first child, I couldn't wait to tell my mom. After all, it was the news she had been wanting to hear for years.

My mom has always loved children, and as a mother of four herself, she had hoped that one of her kids would give her a grandchild to love sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, my siblings and I were all late to the parental party, and Mom had to wait a long time before it eventually happened.

My oldest sister was the first sibling to have a child at age 40. By then, Mom was 64 and still full of energy. She took on the role of 'Nana' with zest. However, my sister's family lives in South Africa, and I think Mom was dying for more grandchildren closer to home in Australia.

When I got pregnant, I knew life was about to change

Three years later, when I was 29, I unexpectedly got pregnant. I remember feeling overwhelmed at first and a little daunted about how much my life was about to change, but I also felt ready to settle down. I'd been with my partner for eight years at that point, and I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him, so starting a family wasn't that much of a leap.

I was also happy about the fact that the baby was due just after my 30th birthday. I'd always wanted the focus of my 20s to be on my career and travel. I'd ticked both of those boxes — working as a news reporter at various points in my 20s and traveling the globe for three years satiating my travel bug. Looking back, I think I might have resented it later if I hadn't achieved those goals before having children.

My parents were so excited, and my mom flew down to help after I gave birth

Around the 12-week mark of my pregnancy, my parents flew down from the Gold Coast in Queensland to Melbourne, where my partner and I lived. I'd printed off a photo of myself as a toddler and written a note saying, "Version two: coming soon." Naturally, Mom was over the moon. "I can't believe my baby is having a baby," she said, hugging me tight.

When our son was born six months later, she was incredible. She flew down and stayed with my husband and me for seven weeks while we adjusted to parenthood. It was a special time and I'm so grateful for her support.

My parents are older grandparents, but I had kids at the right time for me

After the birth of our son, my other siblings ended up giving Mom more grandchildren — she now has seven in total. While she loves them all dearly, she struggles to keep up with them physically, especially the younger ones. She's now 76 and often says she wishes we hadn't waited to have kids so late because now she's an older grandparent.

Being an older grandparent means Mom doesn't have the energy she once had. She loves spending time with our kids and will happily read a book to our toddler or play chess with our nine-year-old son. But she can no longer leap around in the pool with them or hike up mountains with us, and at times, that does make me sad.

Everyone has a different idea of how they want their life to look, and for me, 30 was the right time to become a mother. Instead of focusing on the fact that my parents are getting older and the limitations their age places on them as grandparents, I'm trying to enjoy the time we do have together. The most important thing to me is to make memories that will sustain us for the long haul. We will cherish those forever.

• My husband and I are both from hardworking families, and we both used to work a lot.
• After having our third child, our priorities changed, and we now both work 4-day workweeks.
• We have less money but more time to spend with our family, and we're happier.

I first met my husband Sam when he was 24 and I was 21. Back then, he worked six days a week. At the time, he had his own remedial massage business on the Gold Coast, in Australia, and he believed that as a young business owner, he had to put in long hours to succeed.

Sam was raised in a hardworking, middle-income Australian family. His dad worked for the government, and his mom worked in retail. They taught Sam about the importance of having a strong work ethic, budgeting, and investing wisely.

I was also raised in a family of hard workers. For as long as I can remember, my dad worked 12-hour days, five days a week, as an agricultural spare parts salesman, while my mom worked part-time in advertising to help support our family of six.

As soon as I could, I started working and got a job at the age of 14 at our local ice cream shop to earn my own money. I continued working throughout school and while I was at university. Before I'd even graduated, I'd already lined up an internship at the local newspaper.

We traveled together for years and worked full-time when we returned home

In our 20s, Sam and I traveled for several years and did odd jobs while overseas. When we returned to Australia in 2013, we were pretty broke, so we started working full-time again and trying to fill up the coffers, so to speak.

I got a job as a print journalist at a newspaper in Melbourne then started my own copywriting business, while Sam opened a remedial massage and myotherapy clinic in Melbourne (he'd closed the Gold Coast business in 2011 when we went travelling).

It was during the pandemic that our priorities really shifted. When the 2020 lockdowns began in Melbourne, Sam had to close his clinic, while I continued working from home as a copywriter. He homeschooled our kids. I took over as the main breadwinner for the family.

I was working extremely long hours, and while it was financially lucrative, deep down, I knew our family life was suffering. By that stage, we had two children, and I felt like I was missing out on quality time with them.

By late 2021, the pandemic lockdowns had stopped, and life was pretty much back to normal. Sam and I were both working full-time again. Then, I became pregnant with our third child. She was born in August 2022.

We knew something had to change and decided it was our work schedules

Around Christmastime that year, we chatted about what was important to us. We decided we'd rather have less money if it meant having more time with our three children, who were then 7, 4, and four months old.

So, in 2023, we made some big changes. When I went back to work after maternity leave, I cut my hours back to four days a week, and my husband also cut his work hours back to four days a week. Having our own businesses meant we could dictate our own rosters, so we were extremely lucky in that regard.

We're still both only working four days each week, and our system is working really well for us. My husband and I tend to tag-team with the kids. One or the other of us will take care of our youngest (who only goes to day care three days a week) in the mornings and then work in the afternoon. We also take turns doing school pick-ups, so our kids know that either mommy or daddy will always be at the school gate waiting for them at the end of the day.

Rather than paying for childcare, which is expensive, we get to be the ones to take them to extracurricular activities and birthday parties, do homework with them, and watch their swimming lessons or dance recitals. Those moments are invaluable to us.

Working four days a week means my husband and I have had to adjust our spending habits quite a lot. We've felt the cost-of-living pressures in the past couple of years and have had to learn to budget better. But we believe it's worth it.

We know we'll probably never have the flashiest house or the best cars. But what we will have are plenty of memories with our children while they're still young and want to spend time with us. For us, those memories are worth their weight in gold.

• My husband and I lived in Canada in our 20s, and we brought our young kids there a decade later.
• Our children were 4 years old and 8 months old, so they don't remember any of the overseas trip.
• With two young kids, we had to skip or adjust a lot of the activities we'd planned or hoped to do.

My husband and I lived in Canada in our 20s, and couldn't wait to return a decade later.

Some of our happiest memories were of living in Banff in the Rockies, meeting other young people, going on epic outdoors adventures, and exploring Canada's national parks.

This time around, though, we had our 4-year-old and 8-month-old kids to take with us. On our overseas adventure, we planned to visit my brother in Vancouver for his 50th birthday and road trip across British Columbia and Alberta.

After our grueling 17-hour flight from Melbourne, Australia, to Vancouver, we hit the ground running. In total, we spent 10 days exploring Banff National Park in an RV and went on a road trip throughout Hope and other parts of Canada.

We had great moments along the way but we learned some tough lessons, too.

We couldn't do the same things we used to

On our first trip to Banff, we had zero responsibility. This time, we had two little people to care for — and they came first.

I realized pretty quickly that having young children hindered us from doing some of the things we used to love in the area.

Before we arrived, I had naïve visions of being able to go on epic hikes with the kids strapped to our backs. In reality, they didn't want to traipse up a mountain (on my back or otherwise).

Instead, we took short walks with a stroller and made lots of stops along the way to look at butterflies, pick flowers, and eat snacks.

One night, our housemates kindly offered to look after the kids, so my husband and I snuck away for a cocktail at the restaurant I'd worked at a decade earlier.

Two sips in, they called to say our baby girl wouldn't stop crying, so we rushed back to their place as fast as we could. All in all, having young kids meant we had a very different kind of travel experience.

Next time, we'll wait until our kids are older to travel overseas

Banff wasn't quite the same the second time around, largely because we were in a new stage in life with different priorities: our young kids.

Looking back, it would've been better to wait until our children were both older to take them overseas.

I'd hoped that our 4-year-old son would at least remember this trip, but he's now 9 and a lot of those memories have faded. Sometimes I'll ask him about Vancouver or a particular lake we visited in Canada, and he'll just give me a blank stare.

He was just a little too young to appreciate the privilege (and expense) of traveling to another country. I'm confident if we took him overseas today, he'd remember it far better, as I still recall trips I took abroad with my family when I was around his age.

We now have three children and our youngest is a toddler. So, at this time, we're just focusing on exploring our backyard and taking domestic vacations in Australia.

In a few years, though, we'd like to take the kids on another overseas expedition — ideally one they'll remember.

• My mom and I have always been close.
• However, I didn't realize how much I still needed her until I had my own kids.
• Becoming a mother helped me understand her unconditional love for me.

I've always loved my mom dearly, but after I had kids, I found I felt even closer to her. I never thought that having a baby would change my relationship with my own mother, but it did.

Growing up, my mom was the warm, fun, cuddly sort of mom who was always heavily interested in us four kids. We always knew we were loved fiercely and unconditionally.

I vividly recall lying in bed as a child, waiting for her to come and say goodnight. She would appear at my bedside and smother me in hundreds of kisses while I giggled and said, "Stop, Momma."

When I was little, life was always a great adventure with my mom. There were spontaneous trips to the drive-in movies. Fun family barbecues and mud flights at the local lake.

I didn't realize how much I still needed my mom

In my 20s, I wanted to stretch my wings, so I moved overseas from Australia to Canada, and then to London. I didn't see my mom for several years, and while I missed her, I was busy doing my own thing and seeing the world.

When I returned to Australia at 29 and had my first child at age 30, she offered to come and help. I was living in Melbourne then, so she flew down from the Gold Coast, where I grew up, and stayed with my husband and me for seven weeks.

I realized during that time just how much I still needed her. Navigating parenthood for the first time really does rock your world, but having someone to support you who has walked that road before makes a world of difference.

In those first few weeks after our son was born, mom was a powerhouse of energy. She cooked us meals, rocked my son to sleep, and counseled me when I cried about my post-childbirth body.

When I felt completely shattered from sleep deprivation and like I couldn't cope, she would take the baby out for a walk and tell me to catch up on some sleep. On days that I needed cheering up, she'd say, "Get dressed, honey. I'm taking you to lunch."

I remember watching her burping my son over her knee one morning in our little flat, and feeling like I was seeing her through fresh eyes, almost as if for the first time. Suddenly, I felt like I understood her better.

Having my own child helped me understood her unconditional love for me

I could finally relate to the boundless love that comes with becoming a parent. My husband always says my mom is my greatest ally and will defend me to the death, even when I'm clearly in the wrong. Finally, I got it. She loved me unconditionally, just like I loved my son.

I thought about the many sacrifices mom had made for me and my siblings so that we could have a better life. Growing up, she never blew money on herself. She didn't wear name-brand clothes or have the flashiest furniture or cars. But somehow, she and my dad always found money for us kids, whether we needed it for orthodontics, acne treatments, or our many hobbies.

When it was finally time for Mom to head home and I was driving her to the airport, I felt terrified. I didn't know how I would manage without her.

"I don't want you to go," I said, tears streaming down my cheeks as I hugged her goodbye. "It's time, honey. I'm only a phone call away. You'll be OK," she said, and then she was gone.

Mom was right, of course. I was OK in the end. She'd held my hand through one of the most life-changing experiences there is, and she'd helped me find my way. Just as she did when I was a child.

• So far, I've traveled through Africa to Zimbabwe, South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt.
• Seeing Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe was unreal, and I was impressed by Egypt's many landmarks.
• South Africa's Cape Town has great shops and restaurants and I loved the liveliness of Morocco.

The African continent is teeming with unique travel experiences.

There's something for just about any traveler, whether you want to go on an African safari, savor first-class food and wine, see diverse landscapes, laze on stunning beaches, or marvel at ancient civilizations.

My African bucket list is extensive, but I've already ticked off Zimbabwe, South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt. All four countries were vastly different but charming in their own way.

Here's what I enjoyed most about each.

Zimbabwe has a lot of natural beauty.

If you're looking for safaris, game lodges, exotic foods, and breathtaking natural beauty, Zimbabwe is the place.

The highlight of our trip was seeing Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It is one of the most spectacular waterfalls on the planet and is said to be the world's largest sheet of falling water.

There are few places more Insta-worthy, particularly if you catch a rainbow — we saw a double one over the falls.

I also really loved Imire: Rhino and Wildlife Conservation, located about two hours from the capital of Harare. There, we went on a game drive and encountered plenty of African wildlife. Then, we had a delicious lunch in the game park overlooking an animal-studded waterhole.

It felt like pure magic.

We found a lot to do in South Africa.

Cape Town, one of South Africa's capitals, didn't disappoint with its spectacular coastal views, a top-notch foodie scene, and great shopping options.

A highlight of our trip was riding on the cableway up to Table Mountain — our gondola had a offers 360-degree panorama of the city.

We spent a whole day walking around the V&A Waterfront and spent a lot of money at its wonderful shops and restaurants.

From there, you can also catch a ferry to Robben Island, which was once a prison for political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela during apartheid, but is now a museum.

The road trip from Cape Town to Knysna — which included a section of the Garden Route, a breathtaking stretch along the coast — was also absolutely stunning. We were lucky enough to stay with family in Knysna who had a beautiful, secluded property on the side of a hill, complete with access to a private beach.

Morocco was like nowhere else I've ever been.

I felt like I was in a movie the moment I arrived in Marrakesh

Donkey-drawn carriages cruised up and down laneways while snake charmers, folk dancers, and trinket vendors vied for my attention.

I enjoyed the delightful chaos and quickly fell in love with the vibrant colors, mouthwatering food, and rugged landscape of this North African country.

The standout for me was our three-day tour from Marrakesh to the Sahara Desert. We journeyed across the Atlas Mountains and explored ancient kasbahs along the way, then eventually rode camels into the desert.

On our final night, we ate chicken tagine (a traditional Moroccan dish with a spiced sauce) under the stars, then slept in a Berber desert camp.

There's incredible history in Egypt.

In the land of the pharaohs, I marveled at millennia-old colossal monuments like the Pyramid of Giza, the Great Sphinx of Giza, and the Abu Simbel temples.

The outstanding engineering capabilities of the Egyptians have to be seen to be believed.

The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities is also a must-see if you're in Cairo. It houses the world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the mask of Tutankhamun and his sarcophagus.

• Leonie Pendergast is 90 and still works full-time.
• She and her family own a few businesses, including the cuckoo clock shop she works in.
• She attributes her longevity to staying busy, never drinking or smoking, and small portions.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Leonie Pendergast, a 90-year-old businesswoman from Omeo, Australia. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I'm 90 years old and still work full-time in our family's business, a cuckoo clock shop called Omeo Clocks and Glass. I love meeting people and looking after the shop. I firmly believe that as you get older, provided you're still healthy enough, you're much better off doing something. Once you sit down at my age, it's all over.

My husband's family were pioneers in Omeo, Australia, where we live. According to the 2021 Census, it's a small town with a population of 411 people.

My work keeps me busy

My daughter Deb and her husband built the first section of our original shop, the Omeo German Cuckoo Clock Shop. However, Omeo was too quiet for a young couple, so they moved on, and I took over. I had spent 26 years working at the original shop location.

In the meantime, my husband, our son, and I bought another business, Omeo Rural and Hardware Supplies. My husband Tony, who is 88, still works at the hardware shop and drives our truck every day.

After 26 years, I sold the original building where our shop was located. When my daughter moved back to town during the pandemic, I wasn't really enjoying retirement, so she and her partner ended up reopening the cuckoo clock shop at new premises on a smaller scale, and I've been working here for the past three years.

I love meeting people — that's the main thing. We have interesting stock, too. We sell Christmas decorations and cuckoo clocks, which are unique.

I usually work from 10 a.m. until 4:30 or 5 p.m. I do everything in the shop, and my dog, Ivy, a Maltese Shih Tzu mix, keeps me company. I also spend time washing the tea towels for our family's bakery a few doors down.

I don't drink or smoke, and I stay active

When it comes to longevity, I think a lot of it comes down to genetics, but there are two things I've never done — drink alcohol or smoke. Growing up, my parents owned pubs, and we lived on-site, so by the time I was 17, I'd seen enough people drinking to last me a lifetime. It didn't interest me at all.

I also think it's important to stay active. You don't sit down if you're running a business like this one. I took even more steps in the other shop location because I had a flight of stairs to climb.

We still live on our own

Tony and I still live independently together in our own home. I have a hot dinner on the table every night when he comes home after work. Our diet is fairly plain. I always make myself an egg on toast or an omelet for breakfast. Ivy and I share a pie or sandwich for lunch, and it's always meat and vegetables or a salad for dinner. We always have small portions.

My faith grounds me, even through hard times

I'm Catholic and I believe religious faith does give you grounding. We've experienced many hardships, including bushfires that have displaced us for up to 10 days at a time. But faith gives you something to hang on to when things go wrong.

Looking back on my life, I'm happy with what I've achieved, but I would have liked to further my education. I left school the week before I turned 14. Back then, you couldn't go online and do a university degree or add to your education like you can nowadays.

Overall, I'd say my husband and I are very blessed. We have a new great-granddaughter who is due soon, and we're having a quiet Christmas because we'll be busy with the baby. Tony and I both have some health problems, but we do what our health allows us to do.

• I spent eight years living in Melbourne, which ranks among the best cities to live in.
• I loved Melbourne's diversity, cuisine, green spaces, and incredible shopping scene.
• But I struggled with its unpredictable weather and our high cost of living there.

I grew up on the Gold Coast on Australia's east coast and loved it.

But after living overseas for three years in Canada and London, my husband and I wanted to settle somewhere new when we returned to Australia.

Eventually, we moved to Melbourne in the southeastern state of Victoria. Melbourne consistently ranks among the world's top cities to live in based on things like healthcare, infrastructure, culture, and education.

Although I loved a lot about my life in Melbourne, it wasn't a perfect place for my family. Here's what I loved about living there — plus, a few parts I didn't care for.

Its cultural diversity has many perks

Melbourne is known for being one of the most multicultural cities in the world, and with that comes a whole lot of perks. I think the best one is the diversity of the food.

You can find just about any cuisine in Melbourne. If you want to eat Ethiopian cuisine one night, Afghani the next, and Cambodian the night after that, it's all there on your doorstep.

The city is surrounded by top-notch wineries, too, so it's also easy to access mind-blowing libations.

Its arts and sports scenes are outstanding

Melbourne is home to so many different galleries and theaters that it feels like the city has something for everyone.

In my opinion, its arts offerings are second to none. You could watch an opera, ballet, world-class comedy show, and live jazz performance all in one week.

Likewise, if you're into sports, Melbourne is the place to be. The city hosts many world-class sporting events, from the Australian Open to major cricket matches.

Melbourne has so much great shopping

Its central business district is filled with hidden laneway boutiques, historic arcades, and quirky stores you'll find nowhere else.

If you want to visit mainstream and big-name stores, Melbourne's bigger shopping centers have everything you need. Plus, there are open-air markets and farmers markets in most municipalities.

The inner fashionista in me also loved the city's secondhand-shopping scene. When we lived in Melbourne, I'd often spend weekends taking myself to one of the area's many vintage markets in search of treasures.

The green parks and leisure opportunities feel endless

Melbourne is dotted with beautiful parks in the heart of the central business district and surrounding areas.

I always enjoyed wandering the tree-lined pathways through the Fitzroy Gardens or walking around the Royal Botanic Gardens.

It felt special to be able to reconnect with nature amid the buzz of the cityscape.

On the other hand, I could never get used to the weather

Melbourne is known for its unpredictable climate — so much so that its frequent "four seasons in one day" even inspired a song.

It's not uncommon to experience drastic weather changes in the span of 24 hours — a warm, sunny morning could turn into a cloudy, cold, and windy afternoon.

One year, we had our heater running right up until mid-November — only a few weeks out from summer in Melbourne.

The urban sprawl took its toll on us

Living in Melbourne, we had to get used to driving long distances across the huge city. The Greater Melbourne area is over 3,800 square miles — for context, that's about 12 ½ New York Citys.

Many of its suburbs are pretty spaced out, and it can be time-consuming to visit friends and family just a few neighborhoods over.

Our house was on the south side and my sister lived in a leafy inner suburb called Elwood. A trip to see her and my niece often took us up to an hour in the car, so each visit felt like quite a time commitment.

We often struggled with the cost of living

Melbourne is not as expensive as Sydney, but I still found its cost of living to be quite high.

It's one of Australia's most expensive cities and placed in the top 50 most expensive cities in the world, based on Numbeo's most recent cost of living index.

Melbourne is also among the least affordable cities in the world for housing, based on Demographia's latest report assessing housing affordability in 94 major markets.

Although the property values dropped slightly earlier this year, the homes are still unaffordable for many.

We couldn't afford a home in Melbourne unless we moved far from the city center and deep into the suburbs, which wasn't our ideal location.

We enjoyed living in Melbourne — but it wasn't right for us in the long term

I'm so glad we had our time in Melbourne. We had two of our three kids there, met incredible people, and made lasting memories.

However, it wasn't right for us in the long run. We ended up moving to the small town of Bright, located in the foothills of the Australian Alps.

I miss the food, culture, and shopping in Melbourne, but life is a lot easier and cheaper for us in our small town.