I apologize, in advance, for this long post, but it might be time to update everyone on my/our situation.
As many of you know, there was a point in time when I was counting down the months, weeks, hours, minutes, and seconds prior to retirement and being able to hit the road.The obsession took over and, eventually, I had to give it up.It was torture!We became caregivers 2-1/2 years ago, so I knew I had to keep working as long as we were caring for my DH’s elderly aunt in our home.My hopes of ‘retiring’ at 60 faded away (I’m still 60!), and I continued working for a gigantic company whose values did NOT align with mine!!Sadly, we lost our dear aunt last Sunday.Well, God has been faithful and, as fate would have it, not only did I became a ‘retired person’ 3 weeks prior to her passing, but I was able to spend that time with her… precious moments that will live on with me forever.
Now that we are able to move on with our lives, DH and I had our first ‘official’ conversation about full timing on Saturday.We will be at the spring rally in Tennessee next month and can’t wait to meet many of you there!Our plans are to learn everything we can at the rally (DH has a LOT of catching up to do) before purchasing our 5er and tow vehicle.Instead of flying, we have now decided to make it a road trip, my first official outing as a retired person!
We have been blessed; we are blessed, and look forward to what is in store for our future.We are also looking forward to seeing you down the road, and my DH and I will now be able to fill those chairs that Howard set out for us… once upon a time!
Dave Buck said
09:35 AM Mar 3, 2014
Sorry to hear about your aunt but glad you got the opportunity to spend some time with her. Now you have the opportunity to continue on with your plans. I won't be at the rally but I'm sure you will learn a lot there as well on on this forum. God bless you in all your preparations.
WestWardHo said
10:14 AM Mar 3, 2014
Jo,
I well remember your posts about your commitment to the aunt and your dreaming about this life. Your heart knows that you did the right thing and your job wasn't easy. Caretaking never is.
I'm so glad you'll be at the rally and we'll finally meet.
Sherry
NWescapee said
10:15 AM Mar 3, 2014
Sorry to hear about your loss, but glad to hear you are moving on with your plans. The rally is a great step to learn about this journey.
We lost my mother-in-law on Feb. 23rd, one of the big advantages of FT RV'ing was our ability to rapidly reposition, spend a week with Dale's mom before she passed and then remain for a month in the area supporting Dale's Dad. Love the flexibility to be able to change plans and move our home on wheels when the need arises.
Bob and Lindy said
10:46 AM Mar 3, 2014
Our condolences to your family on the passing of your aunt. We look forward to meet ing you an d everyone else at the spring rally.
WendysPhotos said
03:52 PM Mar 3, 2014
Congratulation Mary on being able to start looking towards your full-time dream. Also my condolences on your husbands aunt. Hopefully we will meet you on the road someday.
Terry and Jo said
03:57 PM Mar 3, 2014
Jo,
I'll chime in and also offer condolences for the loss. Those are never easy things to experience.
However, I'm also happy to offer congratulations on the "continuing of the dream." The rally will give both of you a lot of information about the RV's and the lifestyle. Who knows, your DH might really get on board when he hears of others speaking of their experiences.
Good luck with it all, and if DH needs some encouragement, get him on the forums or in touch with some of those already living the life.
Terry
Jo And Craig said
04:52 PM Mar 3, 2014
Ruth, this is pretty incredible, but our dear Aunt "Ruth" passed the very same day as your mother-in-law. Sending my condolences your way and hoping each day is getting just a little bit easier! Please share my sentiments with Dale.
Sherry, so good to "hear" from you, and looking forward to meeting you and Jess and Bob and Lindy, as well, next month!
Terry, yes, I have a pretty good idea that my DH, Craig, will get super energized at the rally. He has held back his dream while caring for his aunt... didn't want to put the cart before the horse. I understood, completely, but that didn't stop him from allowing me to dream! Craig's heart is totally into serving and helping others, so while RVing will take him away from his benevolence work here at "home", he has already said he wants to continue his work helping others and, especially, fellow RVers. He is simply amazing. God blessed him abundantly with the gift of "fix". As anyone who has ever known him will say, "If he can't fix it, it's trash!" I'm certainly a lucky gal!!!
Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts and prayers. See you down the road!
Dog Folks said
05:26 PM Mar 3, 2014
Bless you.
Good luck with the next phase of your life.
If we can help, ask away.
DebbieM said
05:35 PM Mar 3, 2014
So sorry to hear of your loss. We also look forward to meeting you at the spring rally.
NWescapee said
09:11 PM Mar 3, 2014
Mary Sunshine - blessings to you and your DH as you begin this journey!! We are learning to move forward, even through the tears of each day, as I'm sure you are learning as well.
victorianlady51 said
09:34 PM Mar 3, 2014
Jo, You and Craig will soon be leaving Texas in the dust!!!
Jo and Ben said
10:34 PM Mar 3, 2014
Jo, sorry for your loss. Congrats on retiring and started to plan for the dream! Looking forward to meeting you at the rally in TN :)
From another Jo.
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
07:33 AM Mar 4, 2014
As one chapter closes, another chapter begins...
Jim and Barb said
08:44 AM Mar 5, 2014
Sorry to hear about your loss. It is good to hear that you are committed to making your dream come true, good luck!
Jo And Craig said
09:14 AM Mar 5, 2014
Thanks, everyone, for your heartfelt thoughts and wishes. Each day brings its blessings and less paperwork! (The hardest part of decluttering!!) I'm getting there, though, and now I certainly have the time!! The Spring rally, I think, will really be a major turning point. We are truly looking forward to it, learning all we can, and meeting so many of you there!
JayKim-no regrets said
02:04 PM Mar 6, 2014
Hi (again) Mary,
I also remember your previous posts, I am so happy to hear your plans coming together finally. Sorry to hear about DH's Aunt, i'm sure she will be your 'on the road' guardian angel as you live your dream xx
huggs Kim x
Jo And Craig said
08:08 PM Mar 6, 2014
Thanks, Kim. I appreciate all the supprt on this forum. Now, if anyone here has a magic energy pill we'll take two! Trying to muster any energy after two and a half years of caregiving seems impossible. We're giving each new day our best shot, though!
PIEERE said
09:08 PM Mar 6, 2014
Condolences to all this concerns!!! When you pull out of your old abode and get about 150-250 miles down the road you will not believe the adrenline rush that will give you energy needed to get to your destination!!! Just remember though "It is the Journey getting there!".
Have an enjoyable time at the Rally!!! PIEERE
MarkS said
06:07 PM Mar 7, 2014
Condolences on your loss. Feel good that you recognized that family comes first. It is difficult to put your plans aside to take care of responsibilities but sometimes we must do for others. DWs mother is living with us or we might have already put the house up for sale. Thankfully she is healthy and has a good sense of humor. That is a requirement when living with me. Not the healthy part. As long as she is with us, we will be here for her. I would take her with us in the treller but her life expectancy shortens greatly when placed in close quarters with her daughter. Since my parents are still the voices in my head, I remind DW that respect is in order. I'm sixty years old... why do I still learn every day from my folks, who have both been gone for years?
Ckerr said
04:13 PM Mar 8, 2014
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, but it is also good to know you were able to be there for your aunt. And how exciting to be on the verge of launching your full time life style! I've met many couples who continue their service mission while RVing. In fact many find it opens the door to new ways of doing their life's work...
I apologize, in advance, for this long post, but it might be time to update everyone on my/our situation.
As many of you know, there was a point in time when I was counting down the months, weeks, hours, minutes, and seconds prior to retirement and being able to hit the road. The obsession took over and, eventually, I had to give it up. It was torture! We became caregivers 2-1/2 years ago, so I knew I had to keep working as long as we were caring for my DH’s elderly aunt in our home. My hopes of ‘retiring’ at 60 faded away (I’m still 60!), and I continued working for a gigantic company whose values did NOT align with mine!! Sadly, we lost our dear aunt last Sunday. Well, God has been faithful and, as fate would have it, not only did I became a ‘retired person’ 3 weeks prior to her passing, but I was able to spend that time with her… precious moments that will live on with me forever.
Now that we are able to move on with our lives, DH and I had our first ‘official’ conversation about full timing on Saturday. We will be at the spring rally in Tennessee next month and can’t wait to meet many of you there! Our plans are to learn everything we can at the rally (DH has a LOT of catching up to do) before purchasing our 5er and tow vehicle. Instead of flying, we have now decided to make it a road trip, my first official outing as a retired person!
We have been blessed; we are blessed, and look forward to what is in store for our future. We are also looking forward to seeing you down the road, and my DH and I will now be able to fill those chairs that Howard set out for us… once upon a time!
I well remember your posts about your commitment to the aunt and your dreaming about this life. Your heart knows that you did the right thing and your job wasn't easy. Caretaking never is.
I'm so glad you'll be at the rally and we'll finally meet.
Sherry
We lost my mother-in-law on Feb. 23rd, one of the big advantages of FT RV'ing was our ability to rapidly reposition, spend a week with Dale's mom before she passed and then remain for a month in the area supporting Dale's Dad. Love the flexibility to be able to change plans and move our home on wheels when the need arises.
Jo,
I'll chime in and also offer condolences for the loss. Those are never easy things to experience.
However, I'm also happy to offer congratulations on the "continuing of the dream." The rally will give both of you a lot of information about the RV's and the lifestyle. Who knows, your DH might really get on board when he hears of others speaking of their experiences.
Good luck with it all, and if DH needs some encouragement, get him on the forums or in touch with some of those already living the life.
Terry
Ruth, this is pretty incredible, but our dear Aunt "Ruth" passed the very same day as your mother-in-law. Sending my condolences your way and hoping each day is getting just a little bit easier! Please share my sentiments with Dale.
Sherry, so good to "hear" from you, and looking forward to meeting you and Jess and Bob and Lindy, as well, next month!
Terry, yes, I have a pretty good idea that my DH, Craig, will get super energized at the rally. He has held back his dream while caring for his aunt... didn't want to put the cart before the horse. I understood, completely, but that didn't stop him from allowing me to dream! Craig's heart is totally into serving and helping others, so while RVing will take him away from his benevolence work here at "home", he has already said he wants to continue his work helping others and, especially, fellow RVers. He is simply amazing. God blessed him abundantly with the gift of "fix". As anyone who has ever known him will say, "If he can't fix it, it's trash!" I'm certainly a lucky gal!!!
Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts and prayers. See you down the road!
Good luck with the next phase of your life.
If we can help, ask away.
From another Jo.
Thanks, everyone, for your heartfelt thoughts and wishes. Each day brings its blessings and less paperwork! (The hardest part of decluttering!!) I'm getting there, though, and now I certainly have the time!! The Spring rally, I think, will really be a major turning point. We are truly looking forward to it, learning all we can, and meeting so many of you there!
Hi (again) Mary,
I also remember your previous posts, I am so happy to hear your plans coming together finally. Sorry to hear about DH's Aunt, i'm sure she will be your 'on the road' guardian angel as you live your dream xx
huggs Kim x
Thanks, Kim. I appreciate all the supprt on this forum. Now, if anyone here has a magic energy pill we'll take two! Trying to muster any energy after two and a half years of caregiving seems impossible. We're giving each new day our best shot, though!
Have an enjoyable time at the Rally!!! PIEERE
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss, but it is also good to know you were able to be there for your aunt. And how exciting to be on the verge of launching your full time life style! I've met many couples who continue their service mission while RVing. In fact many find it opens the door to new ways of doing their life's work...