From Indiana to Nevada and Back

Hi Hubbers!

I am so excited to be able to share my story with you.

First, I want to share just a bit of my background with you. As those who follow me know, I have Fibromyalgia/Myofascial Pain Syndrome. I have had it for many years. Some days are good and some are bad. Sometimes the pain is unbearable. At that time I try to sleep it away. I have medication to take, but I know it will eventually kill my liver if I take it “as needed.” So I choose not to need it. (Well, 99% of the time. I am, after all, human!)

As you can imagine, this cuts down on my social life a great deal. I seldom go out. I would rather stay at home than have to answer questions about why I am not doing this or that. I do, however, have two friends with whom I socialize. One has Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue and truly understands and the other has such a great heart that she is not one to ever ask questions. We enjoy one another on the times we do go out or gather in my front yard.

I was married for 32 years to a man who simply did not understand me (do men ever understand their women?) (Might I add, I did not understand myself, or him.) We divorced and eventually, after ten years, grew up and realized we are not required to understand each other - just to pass around the love and respect.

That last one is essential to any relationship - respect.

Due to family circumstances six years ago we got together for two whole weeks and actually found we enjoyed each others company. (Up until this time we could not spend fifteen minutes in each others company without having some kind of disagreement. Then tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.) All of that is gone now and life is good. So good.

We had a ceremony, with family and friends present; and have been together for 5 years now. Not one bad argument. Lo and behold, we have learned to disagree, state how we feel and not take the others opinion too personal. Believe me… it is great! I love this man more than life itself and intend to spend my golden years with him. I look forward to it.

You can, I hope, picture what anxiety went through my mind when he suggested we go to Nevada to see his brother, Don and his sister-in-law, Sue.

He truly did not want to fly, so the plan was we would be in a car 1800 miles one way. Believe me, I was nervous beyond compare. Flying, even if we had disagreements would last only one day. This was going to be 21 days of travel and visit. Oh dear!

I have come to know myself pretty well. I am not shy about giving my opinion about just any old thing and I was so afraid that I would ruin our trip. He is still a bit sensitive and needs constant reassurance. I am gregarious. He is not.

He is an awesome man. I love him very much. We just celebrated our 37th anniversary. So we called this our anniversary trip.

I started a month ahead of time packing. I wanted everything to be organized and easily accessible. I did not know, had not a clue, how to pack for such a trip. Eventually when all the bags were packed (I had way too many pants and tops) I thought I did a remarkable job. Nothing was left behind.

Came travel time, my love packed the car with the suitcases and then the hang up clothes and then a raft mattress (the nice 5” kind) which I used to rest on during the trip. I even napped on it. It was my intention to help him drive. However, because of either traffic or my countenance he never felt I should. (Secretly I was so grateful. Driving is not what it used to be. It was terrifying - with all the trucks and the not so wise four wheelers.) Overnight bags were packed last, so we could reach them every night.

As things went, seldom did the right bags come in to the motel rooms and things we knew we needed stayed packed until we got home from our trip! What a hoot! We managed just fine.

During our trip I kept a log of each day and its events. So, next time I write, which will be soon, it will be in the first person and I will take you along with me to Las Vegas, Nevada, and share my awesome and sometimes challenging times with you. I hope you enjoy the trip as much as I did.

I have been without a computer for over a month now - just using one here and there for short periods at the library. No more, I’ve been set free to wander cyberspace as I wish. My first wish is to get back to writing on hubpages. I love you all and have missed writing.

See you soon.

Pixienot