When I recommended the book, ‘The Art of Nonconformity” to my dear friend the other day, she shrieked. “No! No! That’s the LAST thing I need.” Our friends, like us, take the Road Less Traveled more often than not. And they have the battle scars to prove it.
She emailed later. She had the book on her Amazon list. But she said given their current difficulties they she should shop for titles, “Live your life in an average and unmentionable way and then die.”
What is it that compels people like them….like me and Jay to do the crazy things we do? More than once I’ve seen the pleading in the eyes of friends and family- “Why don’t you just settle down?” (Especially when they see the pain our unconventional life brings to us at times. Like ANY life is free from pain, eh?)
Why do we do it? I think it’s because there is an unquenchable thirst in us for the Road Less Traveled.
These past five years we have:
Cruised the Cumberland River
Spent a summer in Amish country
Reconnected with my family in Detroit
Met some amazing people and formed life-long friendships
Enjoyed early springs where the air is scented with magnolias
Lived in a neighborhood that Mayberry overlooked
(We lived in an RV for summer once too)
Played in the ocean
Traversed back and forth across this amazing country
Explored the Red Rocks of Sedona, Arizona
Eaten Dotson’s chocolate Pie
Raised chickens…and a few ducks too
Hosted “God Journey” events
Tapped our toes to bluegrass music and buck dancing
Did I mention the extraordinary people we’ve met?
I’m not sure what the next five years will hold. Probably a house renovation. (Real estate has been good to us in funding our adventures.) Some travels here and there. Jay will become a stellar tax analyst. And I’ll continue develop my message on “Free Range Education.” (Are ya seeing a theme here?) And we’ll finish raising the kids.
No doubt, Jay and I will cling to each other as we watch out kids launch out into the world. I suspect that they too may take the Road Less Traveled. Or so I hope.
Filed under: family life, Musings, Personal notes
I don’t need to know WHY I do it any longer. I’m a freakin’ idiot. That’s why. There, that’s done with. Now somebody tell me HOW to do it.
Kinda half kidding. You know me.
It feels so alone at times, taking the road less traveled, but nothing has ever forced me to look at my dire need to depend upon God in all my life than on this wild adventurous road Deb and I now travel.
And the more I keep asking, “Where the heck am I going?” the more I hear the response, “I AM the Way…. follow Me.”
If we only knew it was that easy!
Keep enjoying your ride.
Love you guys.
—Dave
We love you too Dave! Love your transparency and you know we can relate all too well.
You know the ironic thing? The “stable and safe” life we fantasize about isn’t safe or stable either. It’s a construct of the culture we live in. An illusion!
Why can’t we get this through our thick noggins and just rest and enjoy the ride?
It’s all part of the journey!
Because the road less traveled is a lot more fun!!! Who wants to do what everyone else is doing? BORRRR-ING. I want to live life as fully as I possibly can, and teach my children to do the same!
It IS comforting to know that there are others out there who are just “crazy” as we are!
Boy do I miss Dotson’s chocolate pie…
That’s an AWESOME summary of the past 5 years….WE HAVE LIVED!!!!! We have LIVED! And yes the road less travelled is sometime rocky and lonely but aside from fellowship with Father there’s nothing quite like fellowship with other sojourners who’ve taken the same path. Which reminds me I really enjoyed the podcast from TheGodJourney.com titled “Finding the Trailhead” posted on 10/28/2010. With a salute to Dotsons! Lets go make the next 5 years.
Ok I am envious of your travels on the road!
At times it may not seem neat but to those of us who are
witness to your adventure…it ROCKS!
Hugs from NY!
Chelsea—Love your adventurous spirit. (Readers note- Chelsea and her hubby moved to Ecuador recently with their children!)
Jay- Here’s to the next five years of adventure!
Deb- I think YOU rock!
Wishing you well on the road less traveled…