Saturday, September 18, 2010

The Coach

I have so much to learn about this new lifestyle.  Besides driving the RV, towing the car, operating the generator, electrical, and plumbing systems, how to park it, where to park it, there’s an entire language specific to RVers.

In other words, I’m entering a foreign country.

The first words I struggle with are the ones that identify my vehicle.  Is it an RV or a MH?  Do you call it by its brand name or model name?  By size, or by class?

Spending some time in the mechanic’s waiting room I learned the answer. All my anxieties were relieved in 2 simple words: “The Coach”

Wow! Sounds like I’m movin’ in style!

I am comforted with this revelation of simplicity.  It reminds me that all the fear that dwells in me now about driving the RV,
towing the car,
operating the generator, electrical, and plumbing systems,
how to park it,
where to park it
will soon be transformed into excitement through the magic of knowledge and experience.

I look forward to living in this new country.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Packin'

I'm in the final stages of preparing for departure.  Today I move one step closer to fulfilling my dream of living in a motor home.

Fulfilling a dream is never glamorous.  Already I have experienced great fear, unexpected challenges, and of course, monetary upheaval. 

And, preparing to live in less that 300sf is challenging the minimalism of minimalistic living that has become my daily routine.

I'm packing away personal items that I will not need in my travels. Each item is placed in the storage box with a thoughtful eulogy --- where it came from, how much I enjoyed it, how much I will miss it, and will I need it on my journey?

WAIT A MINUTE!!  Will I need it???

The panic question that drives so much of our consumer-driven American way of life.  The words that cause our homes and offices to be stuffed full like Thanksgiving turkeys. 

So, . . . I pause . . . and take a deep breath . . .

Today "what if I need it?" is trumphed by joy in choosing the necessities that will comfort me in my new home.

After all, in life, as in the motor home, it's the journey, not the stuff that's important.