A few years ago, in a speech introducing the National MS Society?s Fast Forward program, I coined the phrase, ?Hope without a plan is just a dream?. Today I?d like to share a short personal bit of how that saying has come true for Caryn and I.
Ever since returning from our honeymoon in Ireland, Caryn and I had been dreaming of actually shifting to Ireland for a semi-permanent stay. The idea was daunting and fraught with difficult figurative trip wires; not the least of them being the expense of the idea.
This Sunday marks two years since we made a big (make that HUGE) investment in that dream? we began working a plan.
Two years ago, we rented out the main part of our house. We really enjoyed the light and space and layout of our home but we wanted to make Ireland happen as fast as practicable. We moved into the house?s 500 square foot mother-in-law apartment in the basement. With three dogs (at the time) and my MS, we shifted our life into what we called ?The Boat? for its compact size.
With a few modifications like a murphy bed, brightly painted window wells and the same for the entry stairs, we made the best of our small space.
We scrimped and saved and shared space more closely than many college dorm mates. It hasn?t been easy, but The Boat has been home for better than two thirds of our married life. We?ve had to say goodbye to two of our beloved pack right over there under that window. We cried together over MS symptoms on that chaise. We celebrated a Oaxaca-inspired thanksgiving right where I?m typing this blog and cooked that dinner on that little stove. I can see (and nearly reach) all of those places from where I sit.
Sunday marks two years from the initiation of our plan. Sunday also marks 71 days until we spend our first night in County Kerry, Ireland.
Hope, without a plan? Hope without an amazing partner? Hope without love and care and support?
We are nearing the fruition of a dream and we did it by planning and working and forgiving (a lot!) all along the way.
Thank you, Petal. It couldn?t have been done without you!
Wishing you and your family the best of health.
Cheers
Trevis
Don?t forget that you can also follow me via our Life With MS Facebook page, on Twitter, and our new group on MS Connection.org. Check out our bi-monthly blog for the UK and look for our Very Special new monthly blog for the National MS Society.
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