I lost my 19-year-old son Tristan to a heroin overdose in June 2015. My younger son, whom I will call Jason, still managed to graduate from high school a year later.

     College, however, was difficult for him. To inspire him to attain graduation, I told him his gift would be a trip. I asked Jason, “If you could travel anywhere in the world, what place would you want to visit?

     He told me, “Patagonia.”

     I thought, “How am I going to manage a trip to Patagonia? I have never been south of the equator, don’t speak Spanish, and am concerned about internet access. And Jason has never been out of the country.”

     However, I later met a woman who had grown up in Argentina but lived in the United States. I told her about my son’s dream, and she said she was returning to Argentina and would be happy to be part of our journey.

     It took several years, but Jason graduated—and began working a salaried job. I was thrilled!

     So, in early March we boarded planes and finally arrived in El Calafate, Patagonia. At the last minute, on a whim, I decided to bring along Tristan’s small beanie penguin to symbolically represent him with us.

     I will be posting photos of our journey with Tristan’s penguin. I hope they bring you a smile.