This, That, This Again

When we first bought the 5th wheel, (I wrote about it here) we had so many plans and dreams. We were ready to go places!

Sometimes life throws a curve ball when you least expect it. 

We sold the 5th wheel (you can read about that here) and settled into our new normal taking care of Dad.

Yes, he's still with us. Still under hospice care. And between Dad and his eighteen-hundred-and-something house, it's a race to the finish. Yes, the house is living its last days too.

But we're starting to dream again . . .

We're toying with the idea of buying a small class-C motorhome. Not the one pictured here, but similar. Not one we would live in for six months while building a new house, but one we could easily park in a driveway of someone we love. And miss. Easily one we could travel in for short trips of two or three weeks. Maybe a month. One we could easily drive to Ohio to visit our grandkids.

It's not on our agenda for this month. But it's on our radar. Who knows what the future holds!

Have you ever done a do-over? What did you change the second time around?

Living a Life on Hold

     

As we continue as caretakers for my dad, my husband and I try to find time to be together making memories in our new home on the river. Since Dad has improved enough to be alone at night (and he goes to bed around 7), we often spend our little chunk of time relaxing on our screened porch or on the clubhouse deck overlooking the river. Last night, we took a little ride on the golf cart around the corner to the public boat ramp. 

The moon was bright, giving a hue of violet above the treetops, and the lights from the marina restaurant shown across the river to the wild lands on the other side. The Spanish moss dripping from the cypress tree added a perfect frame to the view.

As much as I loved our views on the farm, I love this one more. I've always been drawn to the water and have loved this river since I first water-skied on it as a kid in the early seventies.

Now that I can share this amazing river with the love of my life, I have a whole new appreciation for the peace and beauty here. 

Our life is in a holding pattern as we fulfill our caretaker rolls. But someday soon, we will spend our days exploring the river by boat, making new memories as we memorize the shoreline of our own paradise.

Have you ever had to put your life “on hold” for a situation? What was it? How did it affect your relationships?

There’s Always Tomorrow for Dreams to Come True . . .

When Ray and I bought the RV, we planned on traveling the states in our portable home. After settling into our new permanent home (which caused us to not travel in 2017), we planned on heading out on a long trip through the western states this spring. Fate had other plans.

My dad's cancer progressed to where we needed to be with him 24/7. We made the decision to sell the truck and 5^th wheel and put off our plans for extended travel until Dad no longer needed us. We sold the rig to a young couple who plan to live in it full-time, as many people do down here.

Dad was days away from death, spending his days in a hospital bed, hospice in daily, when he suddenly got better! The doctors and nurses are amazed! But even though he cheated death this time, he’s still near the end of his run. Ray and I take turns sitting with him at his kitchen table, preparing his meals, laundering his clothes, and doing anything else that needs done.

Some days are difficult. Dad and I never had a close relationship. He’s a very negative man—always complaining, always got the raw end of the deal. But I’m doing my part of the whole “honor thy father” thing. And you know what? It brings me joy.

Even though it’s hard to please my father, it’s easy to please my Father. He tells me what to do, and then guess what? He helps me do it! His grace is amazing.