Our plan for a self-sufficient life had been in the works for ten years. Before our children were too old, we decided to take a leap of faith and make the big move away from the concrete and traffic.
Our Plans for a Self-Reliant Life in the Country
We had everything figured out. We sold our house, all on our own. We packed box after box. We brought tools and items we would need in case we were to live “off-grid” for a while. My husband quit his job. We had cash in the bank. We cried, leaving family and friends behind. We told the kids that this would be a family adventure. We had decorated our own t-shirts and wore them as a show of family unity. This was it!
On the Move Out of the City at Last
Our drive went well. In two days we had reached our new home state. Our real estate agent had promised to look for a rental for us. The kids and I drove to his office as my husband rented a storage unit and unpacked our stuff from the U-Haul.
Home Sweet Home?
At the real estate office the receptionist explained that our agent had left us some rental ideas. She handed me the newspaper with a few ads circled in the classifieds. I was expecting a map to our new temporary home.
After many calls, I located a possible rental. The kids and I piled back into the van to check it out. One of the agents told me an “easy” way to go. I would take country roads most of the way – “Much prettier and far less traffic.” Okay. Cool.
So Much for the Self-Sufficiency Plan
Fifteen minutes later I was passing though a tiny town. I stopped at the only intersection, which had no traffic lights, but a 3-way stop. I stopped, looked, and then continued on about 200 feet before we felt an incredible “wham” that jolted our van, pushing us off the side of the road, despite me hitting my brakes.
Both kids were screaming in the back. I remember my older child yelling, “What was that?!” and my younger one crying. I was in a daze, but realizing we had been rear-ended by a truck, my mother instinct kicked in and I ran around the van to open the door to where my children were belted in. They were upset, but no blood. Did anything hurt? Not really. The rest is a bit of a haze.
I remember paramedics. They asked questions. I guess I answered strangely, because instantly my neck was put in a brace and a board was put behind my back. In seconds I was strapped on and belted into a rolling stretcher. All I could see was the bright blue, un-smoggy sky above me. I kept asking about my kids. Where were they? Right here. Were they okay? Yes, they were fine and would come with us to the emergency room.
“Where do you live?” asked a policeman.
“I’m homeless,” I said, with a weak laugh, “I moved here twelve hours ago.”
“Wow,” someone remarked.
That’s how our first day of self-sufficiency began. Ten years, twelve hours and – wham – our world was turned upside down.
Our dreams of independence had flown out the window in a flurry of confusion and disappointment…but our children were safe and we were still united. That was what was most important.
I will continue this story in another article, but don’t worry. “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans*,” and after three years and a lot of physical therapy, I was almost like new.
Reference:
*Beautiful Boy, John Lennon, English singer & songwriter (1940 – 1980)
