It's been a really intense 6 weeks. A rapid 1K repositioning to Dallas to be with Dale's Mom for the last week of her life, followed by the memorial / graveside services and then trying to provide as much support as possible to Dale's Dad through this life transition of losing his wife of 64.5 years. A week "off" for spring break in OKC with the grandtwins and then back to Dallas for another couple of weeks with Dale's Dad.
But tonight, after church this morning, lunch with Dale's Dad, a visit to the cemetary with the headstone for Dale's Mom in place for the first time, helping Dale's Dad with insurance paperwork, etc., we finally had a few free hours. I'm not complaining, we've done what we felt we needed to do, but tonight we had a few hours of freedom at Lewisville Lake in north TX to chill. So, what did we do? A little exercise in the sunshine that finally reached this area, then Dale did some RV maintenance chores that have been neglected, I did some much needed house cleaning and decluttering and then we totally vegged with a video and watched TV for 2 hours non-stop.
So many times in the past few weeks we've commented on how thankful we are that we could be here, even if our help was not much more than sitting in Dad's house while he grieved, cooking a few meals, putting the leftovers in the freezer and basically just being here. We're starting to get "hitch itch", knowing that we're leaving the area next Saturday, but feeling like we are where we need to be, and yet we've so appreciated one late Sunday afternoon of just being able to chill in our home, in our campsite and having just a little downtime. We're both extroverts by nature, but we so needed an introverted afternoon with just a little Tazzy Kat interaction.
I appreciate this FT RV lifestyle so much more than I ever thought possible!!
Selah said
07:53 AM Mar 31, 2014
Some times the best thing you can do for a family member who has lost someone is simply to be there. Whether Dale's dad has expressed it or not I am sure gratefull for your support.
Now take some time for yourself and Dale.
cherylbrv said
12:33 PM Mar 31, 2014
And on top of all you've been doing, you've still managed to stay on the forums and provide very inspiring and helpful advice and comfort here to your Dreamer family!!!
God Bless You!
Camper Chronicles said
02:21 PM Mar 31, 2014
Hi Ruth,
My thoughts are with you guys...so glad your hanging in there.
Jo and Ben said
06:22 PM Mar 31, 2014
Wow you have been doing a lot! Take care of yourselves, my thoughts are with you also.
Jo
marianne57 said
06:23 PM Mar 31, 2014
Your story is exactly one of the reasons why this lifestyle is so appealing to us and we're looking forward to it. It affords you to spend time with your family when you need to be there but also allows you time to get away as well. Take care and rest up, you've done what was most needed at the right time!
Bill and Jodee said
09:53 PM Mar 31, 2014
So important for your own mental and physical health to get that chill time when you can during these difficult times. What a blessing for all of you that you had the flexibility to be there in her last few days and with him during the initial transition. So nice to have your own home with you as well as being able to enjoy some cozy time to recharge.
Take care and safe travels next week.
Jodee
Alie and Jims Carrilite said
07:09 AM Apr 1, 2014
Taking a "Time Out" after weeks of stress is always a good thing. Staying focused on the tasks at hand especially when dealing with the passing of a family is always draining. Just remember to breathe, believe and receive!
el Rojo and Pam said
07:19 AM Apr 1, 2014
Hi Ruth, glad you're finally getting to relax. I hope you realize what you meant to Dale's dad during this time.
Red
Ravenlotus said
05:58 PM Apr 2, 2014
It's always nice to just veg for awhile. So sorry for you loss. Our condolences to you and your family.
Gpndavid said
06:15 PM Apr 2, 2014
Thanks for sharing. As a couple planning to start our FT adventure, it is comforting to hear how this lifestyle enables you to meet obligations, enjoy/support/grieve with family, and share downtime together. We expect to go through similar experiences in the next few years. Thanks again.
NWescapee said
08:17 PM Apr 2, 2014
So an update, a little more chill time tonight!! Dale's Dad drove up here in the middle of the afternoon and stayed for dinner sparing us one more commute between Lewisville and Dallas and saw our home on wheels for the first time. He came to the conclusion that it was well constructed and while he knows this isn't for everyone, I think he left convinced that we knew what we were doing (hehe) and proud of us for being out of debt and seeking this adventure during this phase of our life. Of course, not everything was perfect, he couldn't understand why we were traveling with a cat, LOL, wanted to know why we didn't have a dog. He's just not a cat person but we can live with that little flaw.
He sat outside for a while this afternoon while Dale was working, supervising Dale's work!! We grilled steaks and he left with a full stomach, understanding that this was "real life" for us, not just a temporary situation.
While neither of us needed parental approval, it was so nice to be able to share an evening with him in our home and leave him with a better understanding of our current full time RV lifestyle.
Jo and Ben said
08:03 AM Apr 3, 2014
That's awesome Ruth. We were pleasantly surprised when we told Ben's parents our plans. We expected some judgement and criticism but instead they were totally supportive. I'll bet Dale's dad got a little added bonus by sitting outside and relaxing for a while at your site too :)
BiggarView said
09:01 AM Apr 3, 2014
Great posts, Ruth. Thanks for sharing. I could really picture the scene you painted. Can't wait to do the same when we go FT.
-- Edited by biggaRView on Thursday 3rd of April 2014 09:01:30 AM
WestWardHo said
09:50 AM Apr 3, 2014
Ruth,
I just love your thoughtful, well written life-on-the-road observations. They're informative and positive. We're so glad for you both that you could be with Dale's Dad at this time.
Love that Dad didn't understand the cat, I'm sure that Tazzy didn't even notice.😄
See you soon.
Sherry
NWescapee said
02:18 PM Apr 3, 2014
Sherry - not only did Tazzy not care (typical cat) she got on the back of the loveseat behind him and when she decided she wanted down, she had no problem just walking across him!! Hilarious, not sure Dale's Dad knew what to think
PIEERE said
06:17 PM Apr 3, 2014
Ruth N' Dale; What an inspiration! Being with your Dad and then having him visit you both is some thing which will imbed in your memories forever!!! I bet he will never forget this 'Special time"! Some time we have to take time to just let the world pass us by and focus on ourselves; it's what getss us in touch with our spirit!
It's been a really intense 6 weeks. A rapid 1K repositioning to Dallas to be with Dale's Mom for the last week of her life, followed by the memorial / graveside services and then trying to provide as much support as possible to Dale's Dad through this life transition of losing his wife of 64.5 years. A week "off" for spring break in OKC with the grandtwins and then back to Dallas for another couple of weeks with Dale's Dad.
I wrote about our gratefulness of the flexibility of this life to allow us the time needed to be here, supporting family, etc. None of those feelings have changed. http://rv-dreams.activeboard.com/t56938860/grateful-for-the-flexibility-of-this-lifestyle/
But tonight, after church this morning, lunch with Dale's Dad, a visit to the cemetary with the headstone for Dale's Mom in place for the first time, helping Dale's Dad with insurance paperwork, etc., we finally had a few free hours. I'm not complaining, we've done what we felt we needed to do, but tonight we had a few hours of freedom at Lewisville Lake in north TX to chill. So, what did we do? A little exercise in the sunshine that finally reached this area, then Dale did some RV maintenance chores that have been neglected, I did some much needed house cleaning and decluttering and then we totally vegged with a video and watched TV for 2 hours non-stop.
So many times in the past few weeks we've commented on how thankful we are that we could be here, even if our help was not much more than sitting in Dad's house while he grieved, cooking a few meals, putting the leftovers in the freezer and basically just being here. We're starting to get "hitch itch", knowing that we're leaving the area next Saturday, but feeling like we are where we need to be, and yet we've so appreciated one late Sunday afternoon of just being able to chill in our home, in our campsite and having just a little downtime. We're both extroverts by nature, but we so needed an introverted afternoon with just a little Tazzy Kat interaction.
I appreciate this FT RV lifestyle so much more than I ever thought possible!!
Now take some time for yourself and Dale.
God Bless You!
My thoughts are with you guys...so glad your hanging in there.
Jo
Your story is exactly one of the reasons why this lifestyle is so appealing to us and we're looking forward to it. It affords you to spend time with your family when you need to be there but also allows you time to get away as well. Take care and rest up, you've done what was most needed at the right time!
Take care and safe travels next week.
Jodee
Red
So an update, a little more chill time tonight!! Dale's Dad drove up here in the middle of the afternoon and stayed for dinner sparing us one more commute between Lewisville and Dallas and saw our home on wheels for the first time. He came to the conclusion that it was well constructed and while he knows this isn't for everyone, I think he left convinced that we knew what we were doing (hehe) and proud of us for being out of debt and seeking this adventure during this phase of our life. Of course, not everything was perfect, he couldn't understand why we were traveling with a cat, LOL, wanted to know why we didn't have a dog. He's just not a cat person but we can live with that little flaw.
He sat outside for a while this afternoon while Dale was working, supervising Dale's work!! We grilled steaks and he left with a full stomach, understanding that this was "real life" for us, not just a temporary situation.
While neither of us needed parental approval, it was so nice to be able to share an evening with him in our home and leave him with a better understanding of our current full time RV lifestyle.
Great posts, Ruth. Thanks for sharing. I could really picture the scene you painted.
Can't wait to do the same when we go FT.
-- Edited by biggaRView on Thursday 3rd of April 2014 09:01:30 AM
I just love your thoughtful, well written life-on-the-road observations. They're informative and positive. We're so glad for you both that you could be with Dale's Dad at this time.
Love that Dad didn't understand the cat, I'm sure that Tazzy didn't even notice.😄
See you soon.
Sherry
Sherry - not only did Tazzy not care (typical cat) she got on the back of the loveseat behind him and when she decided she wanted down, she had no problem just walking across him!! Hilarious, not sure Dale's Dad knew what to think