If you had $50,000, what memory would you relive?

When I was four, my family travelled to Italy. I can recall it through the foggy recollections of a child but whenever I think of my childhood, it’s where I always go.

I remember how excited my parents were, particularly my dad, who hadn’t seen his mother, brother and sister in years. I remember my older sister getting sick on the plane and my dad insisting she drink a glass of milk to feel better. Mum and the air stewards soon set him straight.

I remember meeting lots of my dad’s relatives and being swept into their arms and fed to within an inch of my life. One of my most vivid memories is of falling over after dinner and hitting my chin on the concrete floor. My sisters had to go to bed while I stayed up, howling and crying. I was given milk and cookies. Injury = junk food. Lesson learned.

But cookies were rare.

Just as an FYI, you should know that this post is sponsored by NRMA Insurance, SGIO and SGIC. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100% authentic and written in their own words.

We ate like kings and queens. Unfortunately this involved a freshly skinned rabbit. I watched horrified as the animal I could easily have adopted and called ‘Fluffy’ was placed in a pot of boiling water and stewed. It’s the one food I refused to eat while there. I tried everything else.

I remember being with my sisters. We were together all the time and given so much attention. I was loved and adored by family members I’d never met. I could see their resemblance to my dad and I loved them too. I had cousins…lots of cousins. I loved them all. They took it upon themselves to look after me and my sisters. I miss them. I miss them so much. Thank goodness for Facebook.

My sisters and I slept in the same bed for most of the trip and posed for endless photos together. They took photos of us eating, drinking, sitting, standing, running, jumping…they are my favourite memories of my childhood.

We visited my dad’s hometown in Naples. It was old and rustic. There were lots of wells and stone buildings. We then headed to Milan. I’ve never and have still never seen a freeway that big with so many lanes. My uncle offered to take my sisters and I on motorcycle rides on the freeway and I was petrified and exhilarated. I think my mum was shopping that day.

I’ve always dreamed of going back but have never had the chance. I scored myself a job in radio straight out of high school and was way to insecure about my position to ever do anything as silly as to travel. Now I realise I am the silly one. My sisters and my brother have been back, but I never have.

I daydream about travelling back to the country of my family’s origin every single day. I obsessively watch every movie I can based in Italy. Under the Tuscan Sun, Only You…

If I could, I would renew those incredibly memories. I would fly my entire family over to Italy…my parents, siblings, my husband and my children. That’s what I want. Not just me, all of us. I’m not looking for an Eat, Pray, Love moment. I’m looking for time with my family eating, drinking, laughing and teaching my children all about their heritage. They have so many family members they’ve never met who love them so much.

Travel is incredibly expensive when you have children. Thank goodness I have relatives who would be completely insulted if I ever even thought of staying in a hotel.

I want to renew the hugs, the love, the food and the time with my sisters. I want to take photos of my children at all the famous locations I was lucky enough to visit. That way just like me, they’ll look back on those pictures and dream about one of the best times of their lives.

If you had $50,000, what memory would you relive?

Here’s a sneak peek at Jo’s family trip to Italy…

If you would like to go in a draw to win $50,000 to renew your favourite memory or start a new one, simply register at renewalreminder.com.au to be reminded when your insurance policies are due. Plus, if you share your favourite memory at the time of registration, you could go in a draw to win $1,000 monthly cash prize! See terms and conditions for full details.

Competition ends 30th June.