I have almost always felt pretty content with my life-happy, joyful even. I loved our life in Colorado and usually feel we will return there after this year long adventure. Although Nick and I are not from Colorado, it definitely feels like home. This trip has helped put a lot of things into a much clearer perspective. While this “perspective” is certainly what I hoped for, living it is not always spectacular. Before I start this rant, I want to state that I am loving this year on the road most of the time. I love the fresh air, the time in nature, time with my family, seeing friends and family that I forgot how much I loved spending time with, experiencing new places, camp fires, bike rides, sunsets, lots of swimming and the ocean- man I missed the ocean! However, it isn’t always a feeling of joy and contentment that overcomes me.
When school started back and I saw the back-to-school posts, I have to admit I felt a pang of jealousy. I missed coming back to school from summer break (although 5 weeks off never felt like quite enough). I missed the feeling like you can accomplish anything. You realize that you have your dream job and you vow to never forget how great you have it (don’t ask about this in October though). I love when the kids come back and they are truly happy to see you. Their hugs tell it all! Teachers are hopeful, kids are nervous, parents are relieved…the excitement is palpable. I watched my school’s Facebook as they had a Meet and Greet, a Red Carpet Welcome and watched the amazing teachers and staff at my school as they got kids excited about learning! Who is going to grill the hot dogs? I secretly (I guess the secret is out) longed to be a part of it.
The funny thing is I didn’t see it coming. As I experienced such amazing places with my family, reunited with people I have missed dearly, and felt relaxed in a way I haven’t felt in 15 years, I didn’t know jealousy was waiting just around the corner. In some ways it made me relish our family fun even more, and reminded me to soak up this time. On the other hand, I felt how important purpose is in one’s life. I now understand that vacations are so much fun because of their contrast to and brief relief from real life.
In an attempt to regain a purpose-driven life, I dove into preparing for homeschooling- a job that I seriously underestimated over the last few months. It is really hard to motivate 3 of my own children to want to read and then respond in writing, dig into a math lesson with mom, or want to receive feedback to help them improve in any area whatsoever.. We are trying to connect to what we are experiencing and we recently did a great lesson with gravity and tides and we spent time observing real tides right at our campsite in Maine. This took a lot more time preparing and planning that I wanted- truth be told! I am hoping to capitalize on future location-driven learning. It has been a fresh challenge as I realize I can’t completely recreate school learning, but we can do some things that we can’t do in school. We really dug into PE and spent an hour or two a day in the pool. The bright side is they are really getting to be amazing swimmers and divers. Writing narratives still needs a bit of work.
At times we love it, and at times we don’t. However, I remind myself that the ups and downs would be with us even if we were at home. At least here, we can take a hike or walk around the campsite.Today we arrived in Vermont after driving from Maine and through New Hampshire. Right now I am going to join my family at our new campsite’s pump track- which is a welcome new fun activity. I am hopeful about the rest of the journey we are on and excited, and nervous and scared and…you get the point.
❤️❤️❤️❤️
I still have that pang when it’s back to school time. I do miss it. And finding new purpose is sometimes challenging. I continue to work on that piece. Traveling this year with your family will forever be an incredible sense of accomplishment and memories!
Jami, It has made me think about those who retire. Sometimes when work seems to be your whole life, there is definitely a void when it is gone. Too bad we missed you in Boston. That would have been a nice visit!
Such great insight! Love the honesty!
I’m pretty sure I had the most “growth” during those times I was excited, nervous and scared. BTW- I hope the Wandering Woodlands are all keeping a personal journal in some format and sharing the entries with each other on a regular basis!
Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Do something that scares you every day.” I guess you can check that off your list. Anyway, you wouldn’t want to let fear ruin you fun now would you?
It seems you are excelling at PE and Field Trips. Keep up the good work!
My son Noel and I did something we’d never done before and hiked a couple segments of the Colorado trail just the two of us together. In our earlier years Kent, Kirby, Noel, and I became very connected as we moved from our motherland Minnesota to Virginia and then to Colorado. Living as a family with few supports forces you to rely on each other through thick and thin. Yet, it was never just Noel and me. So this last journey brought us to new territory.
We had endless things to talk about as we hiked along. Books mostly. Back in the day, 20 questions about every book ever read or listened to was an ever present game. Old habits die hard.
Before we started our journey, I knew that at the end it would be measured as the quality of time with my beautiful and loving son. That was the purpose. The hiking and the beauty and the not so pleasant hail and lightning were just steps on the path. The gist was traveling through life with this marvelous human who has grown to be such a remarkable adult.
And nothing went as planned, yet the purpose was fulfilled. Distractions sometimes prevail. When that happens, I try to focus on the purpose.
You and Nick have set out on a noble journey forged in so much love. Your journey guides many others. It is a good and worthy thing. Godspeed.
Holly, I would love to hear more about your hike with Noel. We were cheering you on!
I understand your beginning of school year feelings. I think for me it was FOMO.
It was a hopeful time when I felt doing like the right work would make the difference all kids would need to move forward in the way they needed. Since I left the traditional school year, the only way I lived life for ALL those years (now, an unlisted number😂) I’ve planned to be out of town when I would have gone back & when kids returned.
Enjoy this journey & truly special time as a family. Remember without discourse there is no growth. 💗