Packing

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Materialism
preoccupation with or emphasis on material objects, comforts, and considerations

It's been about a month since my last entry, so time again to talk about this amazing adventure Rene and I are embarking on. We are a week away from leaving and both of us are filled with many different and often conflicting emotions. Mostly we are excited to get on the road. Sometimes though we are nervous, scared and feeling somewhat afraid. Nervous about leaving the security that we think we have here, scared about what this whole adventure holds for us and missing our kids and GRANDBABY and afraid of truly living out this long dreamed about dream. We're finding that we dreamed about this for so long and now that we are on the cusp of living it, all kinds of questions and emotions rise to the surface. Interesting how we both deal with all of these thoughts and emotions.
The most pressing thing on our minds right now is packing up our home and deciding what to take. One would think there is really not a lot to think about when packing what we can carry on the motorcycle. Not a lot of room right? But when looking at 26 years of marriage and 3 kids worth of living and deciding what's needed, there is an incredible amount of strategic packing and repacking. Good thing Rene is an amazing packer, because if it were up to me, we would not get all we need on just one bike. Rene has the ability to take a room full of stuff and find places for all of it
We have a tent, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, clothes, maps, a lap top, a complete music system, a folding chair, camp stove, dishes, toiletries, rain gear.....oh, did I mention the hammock? It truly is quite a massive feat to pack all we need and I just stand back and watch Rene make it look so simple and fun.
Rene and I have never been big on collecting allot of "stuff", but when packing our collective lives away, I feel like we have sooooo much "stuff". We definitely have over the years been guilty of putting an emphasis on material objects, collecting things for our comfort and filling the spaces of our home and lives with things.
Well, that is about to abruptly change as we pack most of what we own in the Sea Container (that we bought with my brother Glen and have parked in his yard (thanks so much Bro) and take only what we now consider the necessities of our next year. Only time will tell if we can really pull this off. Stay tuned for news of the first leg of our travels
And so we remain.... In the Grip of Grace. Rene and Crystal

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Comments

[Margaret]

the planning
All the best to the both of you. Celebrate the planning... When the plan has been realized, you have doubled the experience.

[Karen]

Trip
Hey!!!! I can't believe you guys are leaving like right away!!! I have butterflies in my stomache just thinking about it so I can't imagine what you and Rene are feeling right now. We need to talk before you set off.

[carla]

You inspire me
I am so excited for you. It will be wonderful. Thank you for including me on your adventure. I look forward to living vicariously (spelling) through you. - Carla