Hello Dear Readers,
I promised you a part two last year concerning our journey to downsizing, but I guess you can say I fell miserably behind. I slipped into an abyss that truly stole my joy for a time. Without going into too many details, as I don't want this to be a sad post, it took me a while to get here. The excitement and uncertainty of retiring and moving was way beyond my emotional stability. Through all the uncertainty, I am so happy we made the jump! I would not go back for anything in the world. No regrets!
After all the uncertainty, I want you to know all is well in the "minimal land of the living."
After selling and giving away most of our stuff minus a small U-Haul of things, we are still standing to tell the story and we still actually like each other.
We did move, to South Texas in the Rio Grande Valley and settled in to a lovely over 55 community. The weather here is to die for except possibly the summers, but I have got quite acclimatized and it does not both us at all.
I love the people, I love the fruit trees, I love the palm trees, I love the weather, I love, I love, and I love!
I have found that having less is quite comfortable and even freeing if I may I add. To be honest I cannot remember what I had so it must have not been that important.
The little community is so wonderful and has come to feel like a real family. It reminds me in some ways of how it used to be in earlier days where people gathered to sew, play games on a cold winter night, and eat together at large family socials. Those were the days and I honestly feel the joy of simplicity has become lost. People have shunned one another for gadgets, gizmos, and stuff.
In our little community people actually check on one another if they know you are sick or bring you soup! I too have become a giver…much more than ever before. Before we were working constantly, and had very little time for anyone. Being military brats and veterans, we didn’t always get to know people too long as they were moving away or we were moving to another destination.
My husband and I are the younger folks in the park and I can tell you we keep very busy. We like to help others when we can but it is alarming how many people much older than us that live alone and without children nearby to help them. The up side is they have formed a community and are there for one another like one big family. These wonderful people run circles around me and my husband. They are busy and that is always a good thing. They are not sitting in their houses waiting for a visit from their children.
My parents moved down with us and live a few mobile homes away from us. They are very independent but there are times when they need our help and we gladly do what we can. Most folks are on limited budgets, but you don't see them sitting and frowning down on their circumstances. They have learned the joy of simplicity. A leisurely stroll in the morning makes for a joyous occasion and it does not cost a dime. I am in a strong land where people are not glued to their cell phones and actually look you in the eye. They hold a real conversation and it is meaningful and deep.
The joy of simplicity is like a healing balm. It is and always has been. I think of this verse from the Bible and it brings such comfort. God made us to commune with one another. He made us to care for one another. He takes care of us like the birds of the air.
The other day I was out in the garden and a baby rabbit was staring at me. I could not help but go in the house and get him a few greens and a carrot. He has since come back almost every day. Why wouldn't he come back to a place that shows him love and care.
Thank you for reading! Take care and God bless you real good!
Kimmie
I promised you a part two last year concerning our journey to downsizing, but I guess you can say I fell miserably behind. I slipped into an abyss that truly stole my joy for a time. Without going into too many details, as I don't want this to be a sad post, it took me a while to get here. The excitement and uncertainty of retiring and moving was way beyond my emotional stability. Through all the uncertainty, I am so happy we made the jump! I would not go back for anything in the world. No regrets!
After all the uncertainty, I want you to know all is well in the "minimal land of the living."
After selling and giving away most of our stuff minus a small U-Haul of things, we are still standing to tell the story and we still actually like each other.
We did move, to South Texas in the Rio Grande Valley and settled in to a lovely over 55 community. The weather here is to die for except possibly the summers, but I have got quite acclimatized and it does not both us at all.
I love the people, I love the fruit trees, I love the palm trees, I love the weather, I love, I love, and I love!
I have found that having less is quite comfortable and even freeing if I may I add. To be honest I cannot remember what I had so it must have not been that important.
The little community is so wonderful and has come to feel like a real family. It reminds me in some ways of how it used to be in earlier days where people gathered to sew, play games on a cold winter night, and eat together at large family socials. Those were the days and I honestly feel the joy of simplicity has become lost. People have shunned one another for gadgets, gizmos, and stuff.
In our little community people actually check on one another if they know you are sick or bring you soup! I too have become a giver…much more than ever before. Before we were working constantly, and had very little time for anyone. Being military brats and veterans, we didn’t always get to know people too long as they were moving away or we were moving to another destination.
My husband and I are the younger folks in the park and I can tell you we keep very busy. We like to help others when we can but it is alarming how many people much older than us that live alone and without children nearby to help them. The up side is they have formed a community and are there for one another like one big family. These wonderful people run circles around me and my husband. They are busy and that is always a good thing. They are not sitting in their houses waiting for a visit from their children.
My parents moved down with us and live a few mobile homes away from us. They are very independent but there are times when they need our help and we gladly do what we can. Most folks are on limited budgets, but you don't see them sitting and frowning down on their circumstances. They have learned the joy of simplicity. A leisurely stroll in the morning makes for a joyous occasion and it does not cost a dime. I am in a strong land where people are not glued to their cell phones and actually look you in the eye. They hold a real conversation and it is meaningful and deep.
The joy of simplicity is like a healing balm. It is and always has been. I think of this verse from the Bible and it brings such comfort. God made us to commune with one another. He made us to care for one another. He takes care of us like the birds of the air.
The other day I was out in the garden and a baby rabbit was staring at me. I could not help but go in the house and get him a few greens and a carrot. He has since come back almost every day. Why wouldn't he come back to a place that shows him love and care.
Thank you for reading! Take care and God bless you real good!
Kimmie
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