30 Days and Counting
In 30 days our family will go from living in our 5 bedroom home to living out of our 45 liter backpacks. According to my estimate we're downsizing by a factor of about 5,000 (which I'm sure Michelle and Tom will fact check for me).
We're in the final stretch of a timeline that began over 12 years ago, before the kids were even born. Over that time the topic has come up on occasion got serious really about 2 years ago, when I presented my first of many ... too many ... an embarrassing amount of Powerpoints.
Since then, every month our family has gathered together to plan our adventure, talk about what we want to see and do, and figure out what preparation would be needed before we left.
Michelle and I are not new to the idea of putting our lives on hold temporarily and leaving things behind but neither of us were prepared for the complexity and magnitude that a similar undertaking would be at this stage of our lives.
Now, as we approach the finish line (or I guess starting line?) I'm proud of what we have achieved and profoundly grateful for my family. They have been patient but determined. I just hope we haven't already burned ourselves out before we've even left. For me, and I'm sure for Michelle, Tom and Zoe as well, it's a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
The questions that run through my head are endless. Will Tom and Zoe come to thank us? Or will they curse us for upending their lives on them to do this? Are we irresponsible parents? What happens if the kids implode and beg to go home? I think it's healthy to contemplate these questions but not to dwell on them; I live somewhere on the border between these two states. I'll check back in and let you know how it goes.
- Trav
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pick of June to-do list?
other photos of major work around the house
before/after pic of the van
pic of us in family meeting
-Trav