Today we offered our adult children the Christmas decorations and most of our worldly possessions. Yes, we’re taking the plunge: the “Let’s perch in our 5th wheel in Montana when it’s warm, and migrate south for the winter” plunge. And the questions are hard.
Will Christmas be the same without the ornaments I’ve crocheted and the Christmas nutcrackers and angels we’ve received? And what about the precious manger scenes and paper plate wreaths our children made in grade school?
Will our lives be the same without our high school annuals, my Girl Scout sash jammed with achievement badges and the silver box Dad picked up in WWII ? What about my husband’s pottery wheel and the spectacular vases he’s made?
Pottery Vase
No, life won’t be the same without these things. But it will be just as good. The stories crocheted into those ornaments will always be with me. The nutcrackers and angels are part of me, as are the friends and family who gave them to me. And those manger scenes and paper plate wreaths? Need I look at them once a year to remember when my children were children? Likewise, must I actually hold annuals, badges, Dad’s silver box, and my husband’s vases if I’m to preserve their value in my life?
No. For it is not these objects that are necessary to fill my spirit; it’s the memories and people, times, and events connected with them that matter. I can let go of these things that comprise the tapestry of my life, because these things are living and forever a part of me; the part of me that always loves, always remembers.
God willing, you will find us settled in our RV enjoying Montana family and friends during the northwest’s glorious summer and fall. And up north, when the late autumn dark comes early, you’ll find us migrating to Arizona and California family and friends, seeking renewal from the soft winter sunlight.
Come along and watch the flight of our Snowbird life as we follow the sun and hold our friends, children, and their children much closer. You see, turning into Snowbirds is our way of trading the things we love for the people we love.
‘Til the next post, Happy Tales to you and yours as we enter this holiday season.
Face of a Snowbird
Patti
Patti Faustini
Hi all, and thank you so much for the Trackbacks and comments. I get a real kick out of hearing from all of you! Happy tales to you and yours, Patti
Fred Pfeiffer
Patti,
We can call ourselves “Rookies: in that we are new to RVing as of July 2010 in a Jayco Class C 32 foot.
Man, what a change from driving the big SUV, however, the nicest surprise is AZ. We have townhouse here and spend 5-6 months in AZ and then back to MN in the summer. Not quite ready to become “full timers” since there are two houses in MN to get rid of.
Anyway, a Class A and no houses in MN are on the horizon. We’ll spend summers in the Northern tier of states and then go to the deep SW. Great life this RVing is. Enjoy your posts.
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Patti
Thanks Butterbean, well…you offered a good idea…not a fun thought…but certainly a wise and good one! Patti
butterbean carpenter
Howdy Patti,
You had better take some pics of those things you want to remember, because IF you have a major
trauma and have to have a general you may have memory loss.. I speak from experience… The pics
can stir memory for you….
Patti
Thank you, Beata, and how nice to hear from you. Patti
MomandDadCamping
Such a lovely and touching story. Good luck.
Beata
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