I Think the Road Is Calling - Should I Answer?
It’s one of those pondering life days.
As I sit at my campsite, with the sounds of nature in the background, I find myself wondering “Is this really how my summer is supposed to feel?”
My winter was wonderful…
I spent winter with my daughter, Nikki, who lives in southeast Florida.
The four months I spent there went way too fast.
I didn’t want to leave but I also know the south Florida summer heat and humidity would make me a very unhappy camper.
My busy time and downtime this winter were pretty balanced - and I greatly need balance!
My summer (so far) has been chaotic…
I’m at my usual northern Illinois campground for the summer. I arrived in mid-April.
My reason for being here is to help Auntie M (she has dementia).
I’ve been here 5 1/2 weeks and there was a tornado my first day here. Auntie M isn’t able to handle it so I’ve been dealing with the aftermath ever since - taking care of insurance, contractor appointments, the whole shebang.
Auntie M is also up to her usual shenanigans. In days gone by, I knew when she was being her mischievous self but, when mixed with dementia, I start questioning my own sanity.
Taking her to appointments and working around the revolving door of caregivers also drains my energy.
Now that Auntie M’s needs are pretty much taken care of, I’m trying to sneak in my own appointments and necessities.
I reserved the campground for the entire season…
As usual, I’m slated to be here until the last Sunday in October.
Sometimes I leave a couple weeks early.
Sometimes I stay till the end.
But honestly, I’m ready to leave right now…
If I left now, I’d head to the west coast for a couple of months and come back here in September.
I spent the summers off-grid along the Oregon coast during my early van life days (back in 2016 and 2017). It would be fun to experience the west coast again - this time with more knowledge and experience under my belt.
Parting thoughts…
Now that I’ve written it out, I see this feeling didn’t come out of nowhere. A good chunk of it is my own doing.
A big reason for my conundrum is… I’m not making myself the priority!
Somewhere along the way, I put myself on the back burner.
My home is on wheels for crying out loud! Maybe taking a road trip somewhere new will give me the reset I need.
What I do know is…
I need to step away from the situation before the situation steps all over me.
Connie 🌼
❀ ❀ ❀
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