Sitting and Dreaming

Friday nights in my two-person family are "talk nights", so designated by my son. It's one of the few times each week when the TV's off, the lights are glowing softly (perhaps enhanced by a few candles), the house is clean and quiet - and we can simply spend time together without interruption.

We started talk night a day early last night... yup, that dream I have to travel Africa. Once we got going on where we could travel and what we could see and experience, we couldn't stop! But finally we put an end to it and said "tomorrow night".

We're going take our time tonight to sit and dream and plan and imagine - and see where it takes us. Little by little my son is realizing that he'll get a very unique experience if we can pull this off, one that none of his friends have a chance to (being part of "traditional families" bound to one place by parental jobs and societal expectations). We're free as birds, if we choose to be. We can go anywhere, we can do anything.

I realize it could be dangerous travelling alone though, and am considering speaking to my aunt about joining us for a part of the journey, or all of it. She's a top botanist, a wild woman who can take it rough and tough, and I know she'd LOVE botanizing Africa flat! Perhaps we can also check with local overland clubs about any others setting out on a journey at the same time as us, and go in convey for a part of it.

And then something happened this morning that has me grinning like crazy at the moment. I've just picked up my car after a week-long service with the world's best mechanic, and mentioned if he sees a old, cheap, reliable Land Rover to please let me know. And you know what? He says he knows where there's one standing around...! But we didn't have time to discuss it in detail. I'll have to check in with him later. I just mentioned what I wanted it for - and his eyes grew big with excitement! :) I realize I'm short on mechanical skills, but if I can get something like this soon, and start working on it myself, learning as I go - I'll soon develop them! If all else fails, there's a mechanic's certificate course on offer that's affordable and I can do in my own time. And I am blessed with a neighbour who knows where everything goes in a car - he's currently rebuilding a Mini from scratch, including the engine. A handy chap to have around.

The more I think of it, the less fearful I am that things would go wrong, and the more keen I am to give it a go. For a year, four years - however long it takes. And wherever it leads us.

That "the only difference between a dream and a goal is a timeline" thing? It's kicking in. My son needs a sleeping bag for an upcoming camp, and instead of borrowing one we're buying one, along with the first in our collection of camp eating utensils. We're not replacing our home computer with another bulky one, but with a laptop. Bit by bit I'm going to work towards this dream. Even if it means putting others on hold - like Australia, a business, and the addition of many material possessions. Can one ever trade possessions for amazing experiences? I think not!

Anyway, tonight we're hauling out maps and National Geographics and all our Africa stuff, and we're going to sit down and dream some very, very big dreams. I only hope I can sleep after that (I didn't get much last night... brain on overdrive)! And yes, I AM praying for direction in this, that I'll make not only the right choice but also the one that will be best for us both.

Onward and upward!