You are a Treasure

Mary is away in Ottawa and it was too hot to work yesterday but my thinking never stops. We love our life style and freedom to choose what we do. Our home is coming together in an ordered fashion, maybe not as quickly as I would like, but as quickly as we can muster. We have our health and freedom and if we decide to head south, east or west we can. Our rig is old but dependable and allows us to boondock where we like and be independent of campgrounds if we choose.


I am a blessed man. I have 3 wonderful children, a great son-in-law and a wife that loves me and shares this journey with joy and excitement sometimes with more enthusiasm than I have. Often we will be having the same unspoken thoughts. We will want the same end but may have different ways to get there. If it takes 2 weeks or two years Mary doesn't complain, just as long as she can see some progress. 


The house construction has been accelerated because Owen arrived, when we weren't sure there would ever be an Owen or a Jane in our little extended family circle. But we were surprised, delighted, euphoric and anxious to meet our first grandchild and now that he is here we want to stay closer and have the joy of watching him grow. To be close enough to visit and to have family and friends visit. 


Friends are dying off and we miss them. Family members die and we grieve our loss. Whatever happened to those I went to school with, those I worked with, travelled with played sports with? We had our good times, but now just memories.  I wonder where you are and what you are doing. How is life treating you? The days slip by and another year has gone, taking with it voices we will never hear again.


So we are staying home this winter. But staying home won't change the speed at which we age, it only allows us to spend more time with those closest to our hearts. Those who have walked life's path with us and shared the highs and lows we all face. 


Our place is our home but it's also our safe haven, a place where family and friends will always be welcome and campfires will always be shared.


For friends we haven't heard from in a while I hope to hear from you soon. For family who want to come but need a ride, then come by bus. It comes as far as Bancroft or Peterborough and we can meet you anywhere that is best for you. Up here the air is pure, the water clear and the campfires special when we can sit around together.


We celebrate the past, are excited about the future but live for today. It might be raining, snowing, hot or dry but the weather doesn't dictate how we feel or what we can do. WE make the choices and enjoy the day regardless. 


When I'm alone I miss everyone. If you are reading this and are able to travel then get your calendar out, make your travel plans and let us know what works best for you. 


If you can't travel send us a note. Lets book a date for next year if this year is not suitable. Let's reflect on our past endeavors and contemplate what the future possibilities are. Let's dream big and embrace the future together willing to share each other's successes and support each other when the wall seems too big to crawl over. 


We are blessed to have such a family and such a network of friends. We look forward to sharing a campfire together.


Thanks for stopping by so often and encouraging us as we enjoy this journey. You are a treasure.