Transition – Good, Bad and I Am Going To Be Okay

We have all been someplace in our lives and we wonder how we get there.  I am in that transition period in my life and I am trying to figure it out.  So…..what does that mean?  Let me tell you a story….

Don and I hadgotten a case of the ass in our lives when we could not get another job as wewere the token old people being interviewed and never getting the job.  Grrr….just because I am over 50 does not meanI am old enough to put away to pasture, geez. So, we found a contract job that allowed us to travel full time in ourAirstream and go see this great country of ours.  If it seems too good to be true, then it isnot good.  I am not sorry we took the jobas we made great friends, had a great time, but the company was lacking in somany ways. 

It was hard toleave family, friends, and to sell everything we owned.  We rented our properties out, which kind ofhurt a bit.  We put a lot of love intoour homes and it was hard to see others in them, but we wanted out of NewJersey in a bad way.  I think we neededto get away and take a breath from our lives, the area, our jobs……and man didit feel good.  We got to see some greatthings, meet fabulous people and the food, yes the food, was fabulous – whoknew?!  Then life throws you a curveball…..my dad had cancer. 

We got the newsJanuary 2018.  It set me back a bit tosay the least.  I am so thankful thatboth of my parents are still living. Sadly, my husbands’ parents are both gone. I know this will happen tome, someday, but it was a blow.  We cameback to New Jersey to take my dad to appointments, get several opinions,etc.  We ended up at Fox Chase CancerCenter in Philadelphia.  It was a goodchoice.  My dad is cancer free.

Then we alldecide to hike the Appalachian Trail after my dads’ cancer treatments.  What the heck we are here and looking foroptions on what to do.  We started inApril and ended, at almost 500 miles, in June. I broke my foot, ugh.  I am on themend and ready to head back out on the AT in late April 2019 with my dad andDon. 

Then my mombreaks her foot and my parents have a summer rental at the shore that needs toget up and ready for the season.  Yeah,still nothing going on for me lol (Don found a part time job at HomeDepot).  So, I am cleaning, fixing andgetting the shore house ready for the season……

In the middleof all of this, we traded our 30’ Airstream Serenity for a 16’ AirstreamBasecamp and our F250 to a Honda Ridgeline (great vehicle btw). 

I am sure youare asking what the heck is this all about??? Well, I miss being out on the road, the trail and then when I get out….Imiss home.  It is a cycle that I strugglewith.  My parents are getting older andso am I.  I grew up with the idea ofgetting a good job, getting married, having kids, blah, blah, blah……I am notsure that I have it figured out, even now. My feet are itching to get back out on the trail, but my wheels areburning to get out of New Jersey…….the struggle is real and sitting herewriting this has me jealous of those who are out and about on the trail, inyour RV, in your boat……I honestly thought we would be full time in ourAirstream much longer than we did, but life changes.  I have had to learn to go with the flow andlet things happen as they should – even if I want it differently lol.  What is the old saying….if you want to seeGod laugh then tell him your plans.  Weare currently staying at my parents place at the shore.  I can’t believe a year has passed soquickly.  I never thought I would be inNJ for another winter, ever, never, nada, no way……yet, I was….mmmph.  I hate winters in NJ anymore.  I know that this too shall pass and I will beokay, right?!  Just another transition…….

On a sidenote…..I am so, so thankful my dad is here with us.  I had him ring the bell at Fox Chase.  He did not want to do it, but I reminded himthat many are not given the opportunity to do so…..now ring that damn belldad……

2ndside note……my dad has a hard time with me wanting to leave, yet he is the onewho inspired my love of travel with great curiosity.  When we were kids we were either camping,hiking, skiing, fishing, and just traveling the country……I am not sure he knewwhat a great advisor he really was and is on my life…….he is still a big pain inmy ass at times, but I love the old coot…..xo