Gratitude

I am deeply touched by all of the emails that we’ve received in the past couple of days. I feel buoyed by the love, support, understanding, and encouragement you’ve sent our way. We’ve heard from friends who miss us, friends who have traveled full-time and understand the unique challenges of this lifestyle, and my dad, who offered to send my mom to help straighten things out. (Uh-oh!)

Here, a few excerpts:

• You know, I am relieved in a way to hear that absolutely every step of your journey is not perfect ~ So YES, I’ve totally idealized you, Eric, your relationship, and your harmonious capacity to deal with everything with supreme grace and efficiency! Sending you much love and sanity as the three of you cohabitate! ~Dia
• I enjoy reading the honesty, still laced with your humor regarding your journey. Best of luck negotiating all that presents itself with ingenuity and humor. ~Sue
• Oh Honey… you’re up to your eyeballs in IT, aren’t you? I can SO relate to what you’re going through. I remember missing friends, wondering where home might actually be, and sometimes feeling really freaked out and homeless. It’s not as easy to shake up the world we know as we think it will be. It is, however, totally worth it. You’re out there for an adventure, and I know you’ll get more from it than you ever expected. ~Kim
• I certainly understand your mixed feelings about a year on the road. Must seem like an eon, some days. But it’s a good thing you are doing it now because you can. Durability, energy, and enthusiasm for challenge wane with age and you’ll probably look back on this year and wonder how on earth you did it! You are certainly missed. ~Barbara
• I have always wanted to do this. So I’m hoping things get better as you move through this journey. Love following this and hoping you will write about your conversations about sticking to this journey. It sounds like a great life lesson in sharing a small space. ~Karen
• Ah, adjusting…no doubt about it, leaving your long-time sticks-n-bricks AND your usual (enjoyable) routine and friends…it IS an adjustment. I found it downright weird to realize I now LIVED on the road, that it wasn’t a temporary deal or a vacation. All the usual “at home” stuff came along – laundry, cleaning, bills, grocery shopping, etc. And pets.  :) And all of it concentrated into minimal space. BTW, I liked the honesty of your blog post. ~Laurie
• I know travels with Spottie has its pluses and minuses — but the solution you picked was the only one you could do and go right when you did. In some ways, you took a part of home with you, with Spottie. She is your living link with life on Holly Street where we all love you. Don’t forget that you chose to do this and if anything changed and you wanted to shorten the trip, change the schedule and the itinerary, stay in a few places for longer, you could do that too. ~Kay and David
• Hi Sweetie, It is forecast to be in triple digits all next week if that is any consolation to you for not being in Ashland. Keep the posts coming. ~Ann
• Thanks for giving insight into your process. While it is true that there’s no place like home, and it may be awhile until you reunite with Ashland, just know how wonderful it will be when that day comes (and it will) and harness the freedom you have now to roam where ever your heart desires. ~Jen
• It is so nice to hear your story and see your sweet faces. Sounds like you three nomads are making a huge adjustment! I miss playing music so much with you. I’ve been practicing a lot and playing many of your songs. But alas, it is not the same! Can’t wait for your next post! ~Cyn
• I think you are both good at living in the moment. This is a once in a lifetime deal probably – so enjoy. I would love to be able to do something like that. ~Peggy
• Just read your blog. I’m sure things will level out and you’ll get back to normal. If not, I’ll send your mom out there to help. ~Dad