I believe I had warned you all that I would be doing a second year one end blog post. The first one was more about "stuff" while this one is more about (at the title says) thoughts and reflections. There are a few topics that got left out of the first one that I talk about also.
Thanks in advance for reading - hope you all share your own thoughts and reflections!
It sounds like you like to do many of the same things we do in the Florida Keys. I can recommend splurging sometime to take the Dry Tortugas Ferry.
I really do appreciate the "old guy" perspective on losing a loved one. I normally say "the hurt does not go away, it just hurts less often", but his wave analogy is more like it really is. Life is fatal.
I also appreciate that your "worst" campsite was not a bad experience, just not a great experience. I think some people are looking for "worst" so they can obsess on it, which your viewpoint derails.
It sounds like you will be on the road for many years. We hope to meet up with you sometime.
BiggarView said
09:54 AM Sep 4, 2015
Your thoughts on the "stuff" were interesting but not out of the realm of what I consider normal. I have model trains that have to go... yep, I am having some separation anxiety over that.
I find it weirdly amusing to know others "snip". It's one of those things nobody really wants to admit to but knows everybody does it.
We totally agree with your perspective on the onboard laundry.
The loss and your grief is totally relatable. On that I can only add that everyone deals with it differently and surrounding yourself with friends and family that know and understand how you grieve makes it easier to cope. It will always be there, to my mind it is a testament to your connection to others that you cared and that your nephew was worthy of it. When Cindi's mom died, one of the reasons we began looking into the lifestyle was the ability "to just up and go" to friends and family should the need arise. Your experience is another example of proof of the freedom to do it when one is "mobile". Thank you for sharing. Virtual hugs coming your way! Like Bill Joyce, we hope to meet up with you one day down the road.
Brian
-- Edited by biggaRView on Saturday 5th of September 2015 04:26:35 AM
marianne57 said
06:46 PM Sep 4, 2015
WOW Kelly! You seriously need to write a book. Your thoughts and insight would certainly apply to many people and could help all of us through some of our own personal moments that we all deal with. I admire you for writing how you feel, and you're not odd in the way you are grieving. It's great that you had such a special relationship with your nephew but know that he's certainly traveling with you always. What I think I find about the "stuff" part is much like you feel. Barry and I will be married next April for 39 years and much of our furniture was handcrafted by my dad and made from a wood called wormy chestnut.....it's not something you find anywhere and it's beautiful. I took pictures of all the pieces and sent out an email (I was literally shedding tears as I wrote it) to all my nieces and nephews and brothers and sisters to ask who wanted anything and which piece they wanted. Fortunately, every piece was requested by someone, and I won't have to put anything in storage and I know it is staying in the family. That has been by far the most stress I have encountered in handing over those pieces knowing my dad made them for us, but I know they're going into good hands and we will always have the memories from them. Thanks so much again, and I hope time continues to heal your loss but never the memories you have of your nephew. Please write a book! Your thoughts are truly helpful to many of us! Safe travels to you both!
jrzygrl64 said
07:09 AM Sep 5, 2015
Thank you all so much for reading and your kind words! I really appreciate it! I was hesitant to actually hit "publish" b/c I thought it might turn people off.
Bill - I also hope we can meet up on the road someday! You have taught me so much on this forum!
We have actually tried to go to Dry Tortugas, we had bought tickets and we're all packed up to to, had a cooler and everything but when we got to the dock - the captain said it was really rough out on the water and he was allowing people to get a refund if they were concerned about getting sea sick - which I do get sometimes - so we cancelled. I've heard it's awesome and we will have to try again!
Brian - I did feel the need to surround myself with family and friends - we spent the summer in the northeast so i could do that - be on familiar territory and spend time with loved ones - we all need each other.
Maybe you should pick one train to keep and find a way to display in your rig. A favorite engine or something. Museum gel works like a charm to hold stuff down!
I also hope our paths cross out there on the road someday!
Marianne - you are SO sweet! Thank you so much! I don't know if you would be interested to read it - - but I wrote a letter to Andrew that my sisters pastor read at his memorial - it's on my blog as a page (hit the 3 lines in the top right corner) and it's called "Dear Andrew".
As far as your furniture - I am so happy for you that you were able to place your Dads handmade items with family - what a comfort to you to know it's well cared for and loved by the next generations! You are very welcome - I am glad something I wrote can be helpful to someone else - although truth be told - it helps me to get it out also!
Hi Everyone!
I believe I had warned you all that I would be doing a second year one end blog post. The first one was more about "stuff" while this one is more about (at the title says) thoughts and reflections. There are a few topics that got left out of the first one that I talk about also.
Thanks in advance for reading - hope you all share your own thoughts and reflections!
Kelly and Bill
http://bkamericanodyssey.com/2015/09/04/year-one-thoughts-and-reflections-and-maybe-a-small-amount-of-stuff/
I really do appreciate the "old guy" perspective on losing a loved one. I normally say "the hurt does not go away, it just hurts less often", but his wave analogy is more like it really is. Life is fatal.
I also appreciate that your "worst" campsite was not a bad experience, just not a great experience. I think some people are looking for "worst" so they can obsess on it, which your viewpoint derails.
It sounds like you will be on the road for many years. We hope to meet up with you sometime.
Your thoughts on the "stuff" were interesting but not out of the realm of what I consider normal. I have model trains that have to go... yep, I am having some separation anxiety over that.
I find it weirdly amusing to know others "snip". It's one of those things nobody really wants to admit to but knows everybody does it.
We totally agree with your perspective on the onboard laundry.
The loss and your grief is totally relatable. On that I can only add that everyone deals with it differently and surrounding yourself with friends and family that know and understand how you grieve makes it easier to cope. It will always be there, to my mind it is a testament to your connection to others that you cared and that your nephew was worthy of it. When Cindi's mom died, one of the reasons we began looking into the lifestyle was the ability "to just up and go" to friends and family should the need arise. Your experience is another example of proof of the freedom to do it when one is "mobile". Thank you for sharing. Virtual hugs coming your way! Like Bill Joyce, we hope to meet up with you one day down the road.
Brian
-- Edited by biggaRView on Saturday 5th of September 2015 04:26:35 AM
WOW Kelly! You seriously need to write a book. Your thoughts and insight would certainly apply to many people and could help all of us through some of our own personal moments that we all deal with. I admire you for writing how you feel, and you're not odd in the way you are grieving. It's great that you had such a special relationship with your nephew but know that he's certainly traveling with you always. What I think I find about the "stuff" part is much like you feel. Barry and I will be married next April for 39 years and much of our furniture was handcrafted by my dad and made from a wood called wormy chestnut.....it's not something you find anywhere and it's beautiful. I took pictures of all the pieces and sent out an email (I was literally shedding tears as I wrote it) to all my nieces and nephews and brothers and sisters to ask who wanted anything and which piece they wanted. Fortunately, every piece was requested by someone, and I won't have to put anything in storage and I know it is staying in the family. That has been by far the most stress I have encountered in handing over those pieces knowing my dad made them for us, but I know they're going into good hands and we will always have the memories from them. Thanks so much again, and I hope time continues to heal your loss but never the memories you have of your nephew. Please write a book! Your thoughts are truly helpful to many of us! Safe travels to you both!
Bill - I also hope we can meet up on the road someday! You have taught me so much on this forum!
We have actually tried to go to Dry Tortugas, we had bought tickets and we're all packed up to to, had a cooler and everything but when we got to the dock - the captain said it was really rough out on the water and he was allowing people to get a refund if they were concerned about getting sea sick - which I do get sometimes - so we cancelled. I've heard it's awesome and we will have to try again!
Brian - I did feel the need to surround myself with family and friends - we spent the summer in the northeast so i could do that - be on familiar territory and spend time with loved ones - we all need each other.
Maybe you should pick one train to keep and find a way to display in your rig. A favorite engine or something. Museum gel works like a charm to hold stuff down!
I also hope our paths cross out there on the road someday!
Marianne - you are SO sweet! Thank you so much! I don't know if you would be interested to read it - - but I wrote a letter to Andrew that my sisters pastor read at his memorial - it's on my blog as a page (hit the 3 lines in the top right corner) and it's called "Dear Andrew".
As far as your furniture - I am so happy for you that you were able to place your Dads handmade items with family - what a comfort to you to know it's well cared for and loved by the next generations! You are very welcome - I am glad something I wrote can be helpful to someone else - although truth be told - it helps me to get it out also!
Thanks again!
Kelly