Re: Can You Help Me Convince My Son That Fulltiming Is Okay??
HI Michaelsmom,
Let me tell you my story...maybe this will help Michael understand.
In the early 1990's my late husband and I chanced upon an RV dealer while out for a Sunday drive. "Want to look?" he asked me...I said, 'Ok.' Understand, we lived in the Washington, DC area and NO ONE -- I MEAN: NO ONE had RV's!! Not only that, neither of us had EVER camped before in our lives! Add onto THAT: I was a Jewish American Princess....WOW!!!
So, we looked...actually it was a Bounder that we saw....and I was MESMERIZED!! I LOVED IT!!! I said, "When I retire I want to jump into one of these things and see the whole country!" He agreed. So, we started going to RV shows and factories and doing our homework. We decided what we wanted: A Class A Motorhome, about 36-38 feet.
In 1995 we found a GREAT deal on slightly used Pace Arrow. We bought it and we started learning about the RV Lifestyle first hand. We joined the Capitol Chapter of FMCA and went to rallys almost every month. We met wonderful people and we learned about the coach by trial and fire and had a great time doing it!
Regrettably, my husband passed away in 1998. I kept the coach, because traveling was my dream, too.
In 2004, I met a wonderful man. In 2005, I made the decision to follow my heart and stay with my man. This meant selling my house and almost all of my belongings. Henry and I are now full-timing in a brand new Bounder Turbo-Diesel. We spent 1 year in Madison, Wisconsin; then last Summer in Cincinnati, OH and now we are in Golden, CO. Henry is still working, but will be retiring soon. I retired in 2005, when I sold the house.
My family was quite suprised (and a little upset and scared) when I made my announcement (I have a daughter and a son, 32 and 28 years old-respectively). My parents were afraid for me...what happens if it doesn't work out? What will I do? I have no house, no furniture? What happens if I get sick or injured?
Well, I have health insurance and I have a car. I have email and a cell phone and I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. And...I do have Henry!
The bottom line is that my family did come to understand that my happiness was what is most important. I had been there for all of them for over 50 years and now it was my turn to take a chance and live the adventure of my life.
Let me tell you---this has been the best time of my life! We have had some trials and tribulation with the coach, but we have hung in there and perservered! It has been a GREAT adventure and I hope you find the courage to follow your dream, too!
You may want to look into joining Escapees -- great group for Full-timers, as well as, Family Motorcoach Association (FMCA).
Tell Michael you need to do this....and you hope he will trust your instincts and support you. You will meet wonderful people on the road and we are all more than happy to help in any way we can.
Good Luck, Michaelmom! Hope to see you on the road!