There so many blessings to be grateful for this Thanksgiving and always. For us, the lifestyle change over the past year has given us new items to check off our list that we didn’t consider before. Here’s a small portion of our gratitude tally this year:
SAFE TRAVELS
Even though we had a mechanical issue our first day out, it was easily repaired and kept us off the road for only one night. We are so thankful that we have not yet been stranded on the side of the road or had expensive repairs to delay us. This is not the experience of many of our traveling friends this year and I’m well aware our day will come, but I count our blessings this was our year for safe travels.
FAMILY VISITS
We are gratified by the amount of quality time we have been able to spend with our families this year. The visits used to be on our two-week vacation and we had to alternate each other’s family year to year. We’ve been able to visit for longer periods of time while traveling, and it has blessed our family relationships immensely (these photos are not all inclusive–there are more).
FRIENDS
We’ve been able to keep in touch with our old friends this year by visiting and on line. An unexpected blessing has been the new friends we have made along the way. We’ve met many of our ‘virtual friends’ among written bloggers and YouTube vloggers and have become acquainted with many fellow travelers we’ve met in the places we’ve stayed. Our friendships are strengthened by staying in touch via social media and planning meet-ups while on the road. We are expanding our tribe, and we are feeling the strength, support, and love as we share commonality in our love of travel (these photos are not all inclusive–there are more).
DECREASED STRESS AND IMPROVED HEALTH
Life on the road has provided us a more peaceful life. There is less stress and our health has improved. While Mike is still working the same hours and I’m busy building passive incomes, the changes in our routines and frequent locations are invigorating and energizing. Our minds are constantly learning locales, planning travel routes, and experiencing new sights and sounds. We are both becoming more healthy, developing better lifestyle choices, and keeping our minds busy. I’m not sure if it’s the travel itself that has helped or the fact we are ‘giving in’ to our instinct of moving from place to place. We aren’t pigeonholed anymore and we are living life on our terms. Whatever the cause, we’ve living healthier lives physically, mentally, and spiritually.
THE RV IS OUR ‘HOME‘
No matter where we go or what we are doing, the motorhome is without a doubt, ‘home.’ It’s the place we want to retreat the end of a busy day, and the place where we recharge. It may be situated in a different scenic location, but the inside is home and the walls wrap around us like a warm blanket. Our sticks and bricks ‘house’ is long forgotten and the excess belongings are a distant memory.
GRATEFUL FOR YOU
It’s important to look at all the positives and feel a gratitude for the wonderful blessings we have–freedom, health, family, friends, shelter, food, clothing, and people who love us despite our shortcomings. So many people lack the simple basics life has to offer and some are so self-absorbed in their own negativity they cannot see how blessed they truly are.
It’s our prayer that each and everyone reading this will feel loved, appreciated, and blessed beyond belief.
Happy Thanksgiving to our family and friends.
With love, RandomBitsRV.
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Thanksgiving greetings from Starkville, MS. May you continue to enjoy your new life style. On this day we are celebrating our 52nd wedding anniversary and hopefully a Mississippi State victory over Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl tonight. Semper Fi, go Navy, beat Army!
Happy, Happy, Happy Anniversary. 52 years is WONDERFUL! I wish you many, many more beautiful years of blessings together.
Do you have Good Sam Roadside assistance? It is a lifesaver if you are ever stranded on the roadside. It’s 24/7 service. We used it twice. And if you’re ever in Kerrville, Tx and need work done on your RV, LeMeilleur RV truck and equipment repair is the best we ever encountered. These are 2 things we are grateful for. The list is long. Everyone should know the words to the song: when you’re troubled and you can’t sleep, count your blessings instead of sheep, and you’ll fall asleep, counting your blessings. We do. Every night. And blessings on you, Dawn. You write a wonderful story.
This was beautiful, Gail. I love the little song and feel so fortunate and blessed every day of my life. We do have Good Sam’s Roadside and, thankfully, have not had to use it, yet. We just completed a haul from Texas to the east coast of Florida in two days. I’m thankful for each safe mile! Did you guys keep track of the miles you traveled in your RV? Are you getting settled into your new home? I hope you had a wonderful holiday! Wishing you many blessings!
Happy Thanksgiving, Dawn. Hope you and Mike have a great day. Thank you for sharing your journey with us and for your support of my little craftiness. Safe travels to you always.
Thank you, Janet. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I sent your Thanksgiving cards to my Mom in Ohio and Dad in Michigan–they both absolutely loved them. I hope you had a great day with family. Wishing you many blessings! Dawn
Thanks for letting me know that, Dawn. Sometimes I wonder about the recipients. Kind of like watching your children grow up and move out of the house, you know?
What a beautiful post of thankfulness! I’ve enjoyed your journey so far and look forward to much more.
Thank you, Anne!