So, I've recently completed a conversion of my van into a campervan. It's not the most amazing campervan, it's certainly not the prettiest, but it's comfortable and suitably equipped and I'm very happy with it.
It dawned on me this evening that I've never laid on the mattress that I've installed. So, feeling like a bit of a fool, I went out into my driveway, opened up the van, and lay down in the bed.
My goal was simply to assess whether the mattress was comfortable enough or not. But as I lay there, staring up at the ceiling, something very basic but very profound dawned on me. This is all mine.
I've always rented a house or lived in somebody's home. I've never owned a house, and I doubt that I ever will. I've always lived with the small thought in the very back of my mind that my living situation is at the mercy of somebody else. My lease might not get renewed. This flatmate situation might not work out. Etc etc etc.
But this dodgy 20 year old van is ALL mine. Nobody else has a claim to it. That ceiling with the scratches in the lining? That's mine. That saggy drivers seat that's mine. That engine that I need to top up with oil more often that I really should that's mine too. The bed, the cooking equipment, the esky all of it mine. None of it is borrowed. I owe nothing for any of it. Not one single person other than me has a claim to any of it. And I have to tell you, it's a bloody amazing feeling.
The other thing that hit me, as I lay down on this old mattress inside this old van, is that I can go anywhere. ANYWHERE! The engine is reliable enough, my pension is set in stone for at least another 18 months or so. I don't have a mortgage, a spouse or children here to support. If I woke up tomorrow and decided that I wanted to go somewhere (anywhere) then I could. I wouldn't be doing it in luxury, but I'd be doing it. Whenever I wanted.
I think this is what people refer to when they talk about freedom. And I love it!
pauline said
09:10 PM Nov 13, 2011
What a great word that is FREEDOM, I think when you have the freedom to do as you want is when we all really feel free to live as we want.........Good Luck.
Happywanderer said
09:11 PM Nov 13, 2011
You can always spent the night sleeping in it in your driveway dave83. Get the real feel of freedom, it gets better. Enjoy.
Rip and Rosie said
09:14 PM Nov 13, 2011
grin
Rosie
-- Edited by Rip and Rosie on Sunday 13th of November 2011 09:15:03 PM
Gerty Dancer said
09:26 PM Nov 13, 2011
Go for it Dave!
NeilandRaine said
09:59 PM Nov 13, 2011
Freedoms just another word for nothin' left to loose and nothing aint worth nothing but its free
as written by Kris Kristofferson and best know being sang by Charlie Pride (my favoured version) and Janis Joplin. Probably dont fit but I had to put it here.
-- Edited by NeilandRaine on Sunday 13th of November 2011 10:00:29 PM
pauline said
10:01 PM Nov 13, 2011
Very apt I think
blaze said
10:01 PM Nov 13, 2011
I can see some itchy feet and a great beyond calling Dave Want to chat , we are in wa ATM, see ya when you get here cheers blaze ps which way are you going around
ChiChi1 said
10:06 PM Nov 13, 2011
Good onya Dave
nomadic1 said
10:15 PM Nov 13, 2011
Yup Dave, this is what Living is all about!!! We're the rich ones. I'm sure that, like most of us, you'll enjoy every day of your travels.
Travel Bug said
10:50 PM Nov 13, 2011
FREEDOM IS GREAT!!!
Now that you have the van, your life will be enriched in so many ways.
Go for it Dave!!!
animalcarer said
10:52 PM Nov 13, 2011
Mate
I am so excited for you, I want to give you a great big hug,
Love it. Its a powerful feeling when you feel FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Sheba said
11:27 PM Nov 13, 2011
Been waiting for it to hit you Dave. Isn't it the most wonderful feeling ? So when are you leaving ? And where are you going first ?
Have a ball mate,
Cheers,
Sheba.
Hylda&Jon said
10:27 AM Nov 14, 2011
Very well said Dave
Father Ted said
10:33 AM Nov 14, 2011
Dave,what a great story and told from the heart.You my friend are a very rich man.Your story will fit so many people.good stuff Dave,thanks for sharing.Cheers.
jandas fun said
12:20 PM Nov 14, 2011
Hi Dave, our indigenous friends call it walkabout. but i think your ready to go "drive about". enjoy your freedom.
Johnw
justjo said
01:51 PM Nov 14, 2011
I've never seen how I feel expressed so brilliantly! Enjoy your life I'm sure you will :)
Jo
Hylda&Jon said
03:15 PM Nov 14, 2011
Excellent post...I love it.
HeadnHome said
07:42 PM Nov 14, 2011
Well said Dave.. enjoy your freedom!!
jeannette said
07:47 PM Nov 14, 2011
Really great post, your post was truly emotive, maybe Dave you should write some more. Share your feelings with others, a very philosophical attitude, yes, you are truly rich in thought. Thankyou for the enjoyment of reading your post.
Enjoy and be safe mate
Elle on Wheels said
01:48 AM Nov 15, 2011
Hey Dave very eloquently spoken. You stuck a lot of chords here. I very much hope to meet you on the road.
Rip and Rosie said
10:21 AM Nov 15, 2011
Best post of the year Dave- left me grinning, and I'm still smiling.
Give the boy a prize !!!!!
Esmeralda said
11:16 AM Nov 15, 2011
Good one Dave - go for it and don't look back!!
Beth54 said
11:28 AM Nov 15, 2011
All of the above Dave.
JRH said
12:03 PM Nov 15, 2011
We have a word for it in Africa, "UHURU" simply means Freedom.
So, I've recently completed a conversion of my van into a campervan. It's not the most amazing campervan, it's certainly not the prettiest, but it's comfortable and suitably equipped and I'm very happy with it.
It dawned on me this evening that I've never laid on the mattress that I've installed. So, feeling like a bit of a fool, I went out into my driveway, opened up the van, and lay down in the bed.
My goal was simply to assess whether the mattress was comfortable enough or not. But as I lay there, staring up at the ceiling, something very basic but very profound dawned on me. This is all mine.
I've always rented a house or lived in somebody's home. I've never owned a house, and I doubt that I ever will. I've always lived with the small thought in the very back of my mind that my living situation is at the mercy of somebody else. My lease might not get renewed. This flatmate situation might not work out. Etc etc etc.
But this dodgy 20 year old van is ALL mine. Nobody else has a claim to it. That ceiling with the scratches in the lining? That's mine. That saggy drivers seat that's mine. That engine that I need to top up with oil more often that I really should that's mine too. The bed, the cooking equipment, the esky all of it mine. None of it is borrowed. I owe nothing for any of it. Not one single person other than me has a claim to any of it. And I have to tell you, it's a bloody amazing feeling.
The other thing that hit me, as I lay down on this old mattress inside this old van, is that I can go anywhere. ANYWHERE! The engine is reliable enough, my pension is set in stone for at least another 18 months or so. I don't have a mortgage, a spouse or children here to support. If I woke up tomorrow and decided that I wanted to go somewhere (anywhere) then I could. I wouldn't be doing it in luxury, but I'd be doing it. Whenever I wanted.
I think this is what people refer to when they talk about freedom. And I love it!
Enjoy.
grin
Rosie
-- Edited by Rip and Rosie on Sunday 13th of November 2011 09:15:03 PM
Freedoms just another word for nothin' left to loose
and nothing aint worth nothing but its free
as written by Kris Kristofferson and best know being sang by Charlie Pride (my favoured version) and Janis Joplin.
Probably dont fit but I had to put it here.
-- Edited by NeilandRaine on Sunday 13th of November 2011 10:00:29 PM
Want to chat , we are in wa ATM, see ya when you get here
cheers
blaze
ps
which way are you going around
I'm sure that, like most of us, you'll enjoy every day of your travels.
FREEDOM IS GREAT!!!
Now that you have the van, your life will be enriched in so many ways.
Go for it Dave!!!
Mate
I am so excited for you, I want to give you a great big hug,
Love it. Its a powerful feeling when you feel FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Been waiting for it to hit you Dave. Isn't it the most wonderful feeling ? So when are you leaving ? And where are you going first ?
Have a ball mate,
Cheers,
Sheba.
Very well said Dave
Dave,what a great story and told from the heart.You my friend are a very rich man.Your story will fit so many people.good stuff Dave,thanks for sharing.Cheers.
our indigenous friends call it walkabout. but i think your ready to go "drive about". enjoy your freedom.
Johnw
Jo
Excellent post...I love it.
Really great post, your post was truly emotive, maybe Dave you should write some more. Share your feelings with others, a very philosophical attitude, yes, you are truly rich in thought. Thankyou for the enjoyment of reading your post.
Enjoy and be safe mate
Give the boy a prize !!!!!
Good one Dave - go for it and don't look back!!
All of the above Dave.
We have a word for it in Africa, "UHURU" simply means Freedom.
Enjoy pal you only live once so don't waste it.