I wish I had taken pictures along the way, but I'm glad that I at least posted on facebook at the end of two very loonngg days of driving, and blogged about the trip after we had been in Fort Collins for a week. These have helped jog my memories of what was a pretty big deal then -- both the trip itself and Ryan moving so far away from home.
That's one of the main reasons I started blogging; Ryan's start on his adult life was such a big shift in my own life that I felt the need to write about it, and I'm glad I did. Through sharing my own journey and sharing in the experiences of others in this amazing community, I've met so many kind, wonderful, and supportive friends. It started when Kym "introduced" me to her sister in Cheyenne because Ryan didn't know a soul. Thankfully, I never had to bother Kym's sister, but I felt relieved just knowing that there was someone I could call in case any of the emergencies I worried about came to pass. Patty was next, after she messaged me on ravelry because her son Dan was also living in Fort Collins, and wondrous friendships have grown from there.
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| Yes, I had to take a first day of grad. school photo. |
Thank you for reading my reminiscences, and for all the kindness and support that you have all shown over the years. I've been the recipient of so much good, and I hope that I can give back in some way. Many people think blog friends are "imaginary" because we may not have met in person, but I know that all of you are real friends!
I have to confess, I laughed out loud that IA and NE should really be shortened! And, the best of all - Ryan is still a wonderful traveling companion. I would hazard a guess that Ryan's mom is a pretty awesome traveling companion as well!
ReplyDeleteOh, those memories... reminding me of a similar trip I made (pre-blog), picking up my sister in Kansas along the way, to deliver Kate to her first year of college at Humboldt State University! And then a few years later when she spent a semester in London and how grateful I was to have made acquaintances through blogging -- that we never had to call upon, either, but such a comfort. Whenever anyone travels these days, I think in terms of friends, "Oh, so-and-so lives there," or "So-and-so's {relative} lives there." Haha. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love these posts that are filled with memories - great fun. Amazing how long ago 4 years can feel, huh?
ReplyDeleteYou couldn't have said it any better, Bonny! (And yeah. . . especially NE needs to be shortened. . . )
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Blogging has brought friendships and blessings into my life as well. It's a wonderful community we have created and I'm so glad we're all part of it!
ReplyDeleteYour notes are enough to paint pictures of where you are (IA and NE should be shortened) haha. We make many connections through our blogs and it is a comfort to know the country is dotted with good people!
ReplyDeleteAs Margene says, finding blogs written by good and thoughtful people is affirming and reassuring that everyone does not hate for the act itself. I find a lot of comfort in reading your posts. What a lovely way to document a milestone.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It does my heart good to know that there are good and kind people (like you) out there, even if I haven't met all of you in person.
DeleteI agree. Blog friends are real friends.
ReplyDeleteI know how hard it is to have a child so far away. I'm used to my daughter being in Miami, but it is a long way away. And who knows where she'll go when she finishes her degree?
There is nothing worth seeing in Normal, IL. And Ohio is endless!
Having kids far away is tough, but if I'm honest, I probably talk to them just as much or more by text, phone, messenger, etc. than I did when they lived at home. Ohio seemed to go on forever and it also seemed like the whole length of the turnpike was under construction in 2013. Hopefully they're done by now!
Deletememories are the best and I cannot believe the time has flown by! I agree having them far is tough but when you are with them you manage to pack in a ton of goodness!!!
ReplyDelete