Money, VWs and our Journey

Another day, another dollar...

Quite literally actually, as we take our home furnishings and place them in what used to be our living room to what is now an indoor on-going-garage-sale. I seem to be getting a dollar here and a dollar there as at least one person has been at my house everyday shopping, seeing what we have, asking what we are doing, then contributing to the fund. Our traveling fund.

Yesterday I made $2.50. Maybe that will be a latte in Nebraska. All moneys go into the travel fund. Every quarter. Strange that even though we are quite okay in the money department, and grateful for it, I am still careful of every quarter. Like 8 years ago, when I didn't change a diaper unless it was absolutely necessary, yet we continued to go slowly into debt. I wasn't sure how we were going to make possible my hopes to stay at home with our brand new baby. I just kept hoping that our $600 per month rent wouldn't go up and that somehow the universe would provide.
And thankfully, it did.

So we are selling and saving and planning and along comes the opportunity. This weekend we are looking at our possible new home. A 2000 Eurovan Camper. It seems to be in good shape, but we find out for sure on Friday when it goes into the shop. The owners are a wonderful family down in Olympia with 2 kids same ages as ours. They have taken their travelin' van around the country quite a few times. They say they hate to sell it, however, they have decided to sell everything and move to Spain for 6 - 12 months. It sounds so familiar.... I think to myself, these are people I would love to get to know. They are trying something new, getting a new perspective, he tells me... Oh yes, I also ask the curious questions of "Why are you doing this?"

We talk about the VW buses we used to own (he had a '72), and how the heaters never worked, and how they barely pushed 50mph on the freeway and laugh. We talk about what we are both currently planning and dreaming and he tells me, "You are just the kind of family I want to have our van."

This may sound strange to some, but as a previous VW owner, those hunks of metal become somewhat of a family pet. I hugged mine ( a sweet '68 Kombi camper) the day I bought it, and cried the day I sold it (even though I hadn't been able to use 4th gear for 3 months and couldn't afford to repair it.) I remember talking to it and encouraging it to make it up the hill "You can do it, girl! I think you can! I think you can!"

Yes, there is definitely an attachment to VW's vans and buses for some people that is kind of strange. It's like an ordinary car, probably not a very good car, and yet, it feels comfortable for people who are not necessarily ordinary. If I was going to compare myself to a car, (and yes, I am frightened by where this commentary is going) I am not a BMW (that is my husband) or the Mercedes that I currently drive, you know, not the fancy type (except when I play dress up once in a while). Not a reliable Toyota that I used to drive (reliable is in the eyes of the beholder), or any kind of powerful truck (I don't tend to power through much). I would probably describe myself as a person who likes to have a good time, not spend a lot of money while I do it, and doesn't care how long it takes to get there, as the journey is the best part. See? A VW van...

Journeys. We are all on our own journey, though sometimes we share the path with others. Sometimes people decide to live for a certain destination (you know, when I make enough money, get that job, lose that weight, then I will...) and sometimes live for the journey (what happens when I work like this, talk in this way, eat in this way...). We make some choices along the way and have perceptions of our experiences (for example: when I chose to go to bed early every night for a week, either A) I slept so much better- perception is - that is what you should do or B) I couldn't sleep through the night perception is- it is better to go to bed later).
I bring this up as there are a few voices that are questioning our choice to experience this journey and have doubts about our perception of what is right for our family. We thank the stars above for all the caring people in our lives and wish them peace and comfort in their own choices and perceptions of their lives. We hope that good energy and blessings will be sent out our way instead of fear and doubt.

We are on our journey ready to explore it, not powering through trying to reach a destination.