What If . . . ?

What does retirement mean to you? Do you feel you’ve seen enough of the world? As you approach this later stage in life, the thought of travel can feel beyond intimidating—especially for those of us handling chronic medical conditions. In What If . . . ?, author Roberta Sawatzky highlights the importance of seizing the day when it comes to seeing the world, even and especially as one approaches retirement age. She recounts her personal experience taking a study leave to travel Europe with her husband, focusing on the seven months they spent living in Portugal and Spain as she completed research on leadership in remote and hybrid teams. In a dramatic turn, her husband is diagnosed with end stage renal failure while they are preparing for their trip, resulting in them travelling with a dialysis machine, among other medical supplies. Despite this and other challenges, from language barriers to locating medical services, Sawatzky and her husband immerse themselves thoroughly in the enriching experience of long-term travel, reaping the benefits of an expanded perspective and deeper self-belief for a long time to come. In the end, What If . . . ? testifies to the importance of rising to the challenges you meet in realizing your travel dreams—especially as you reach this next stage of life—and just how vital it is not to let anything stop you.