What have you done alone that stands out in your mind as a favorite experience?

[Amy loves Bud]

 

One special journey indeed.

 

Indeed! I just got a little chill when I read that. What a great story!

[HRAAB]

Geez, I'm having a hard time coming up with anything. I did enjoy my single adulthood very much although I can't think of anything outstanding. I paid my own way, lived on my, only once borrowed money from my dad. I was very proud of that fact. I met dh when I was 21 but didn't mary until almost 4 years later so much of my single adulthood was spend with him.

 

Sometimes I think about finding a little cottage by the sea and living there for a month all by myself, alone. I love my family very much and enjoy being a sahm mom, but sometimes I get a longing for some alone time. I don't think it would last long before I'd want hubby and children, though.

 

Janet

[WTMindy]

I absolutely LOVE traveling by myself. I also love it with my family, but there is something about being alone in a strange airport that makes me feel very free and happy. I also love driving places by myself although I haven't done it for awhile. I can't think of any specific important moments right now, but a whole collection of these moments added up in my mind. I also enjoy going to musicals or other events by myself.

 

Once when I was in college I went to a Raiders game when the played the Seahawks by myself-I drove into Watts and parked in a strange place-and lost my car-and accepted a ride from a man who helped me find my car-what an idiot I was!!!! Somehow I thought it would be OK because he had a Seahawks shirt on!! Yes, I was particularly gifted with great reasoning in those days.

[Jlynn]

But one of the more significant ones was deciding to quit college and join the Air Force. It was one of the moments where I knew I was beginning a new chapter in life. Many times I simply slip from one chapter to the next without being fully aware of it, but not this time. I had the incredible opportunity to go to the language school in Monterey CA, so I had a very nice introduction to the AF and didn't miss college one bit : ) There was just something so freeing about getting on an airplane and leaving my life in Alabama and moving West.

[Heidi @ Mt Hope]

I'm not much of an independent person.

 

I do remember traveling to visit my sister when I was 18. She had recently married and moved to San Diego. I traveled by train to visit her. It was a big deal for me, courage-wise. I was proud of myself for accomplishing that on my own, especially transferring trains in LA. I'm a small town girl.

 

My favorite part of that trip, though, was the train ride home. I was more relaxed, less ready to *be* somewhere, able to enjoy the ride. It was November. We were traveling through the snowy mountains. It was completely serene... no roads, no traffic. The sun was shining. I sat in the dome car for *hours* and read a vintage copy of The Count of Monte Cristo. Alone. With no sound but the clacking of the train. Occasionally we'd travel through a tunnel and I would close my eyes and enjoy the few seconds of darkness.

 

I arrived back in the Pacific Northwest :) (Willamette Valley) where it was cold, crisp, and shining. It felt so clean and pure. The fields are incredibly lush at that time of the year, and the sheep are like white cotton balls on the green.

 

The next year I took a trip alone to visit a friend in New Mexico (I flew into Texas :) ). I had never flown before. And I had a transfer in Denver. What was I thinking? I felt very proud of myself when I returned from that trip as well.

 

Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Edited February 27, 2009 by Heidi @ Mt Hope
removing excess smilies

[unsinkable]

Geez, I'm having a hard time coming up with anything. I did enjoy my single adulthood very much although I can't think of anything outstanding. I paid my own way, lived on my, only once borrowed money from my dad. I was very proud of that fact. I met dh when I was 21 but didn't mary until almost 4 years later so much of my single adulthood was spend with him.

 

Sometimes I think about finding a little cottage by the sea and living there for a month all by myself, alone. I love my family very much and enjoy being a sahm mom, but sometimes I get a longing for some alone time. I don't think it would last long before I'd want hubby and children, though.

 

Janet

 

Janet,

 

I know this isn't a cottage and it is shorter term than a month but it is cool.

 

Lighthouse Keeper for a Week

http://www.roseislandlighthouse.org/KeeperProgram/keeper.htm

[Colleen]

I am reading and enjoying every single one of these stories. And each interests me; each is worthy, whether it was a solo trip across a continent or figuring out how to navigate a new city or simply taking in a concert. Those moments alone, those feelings of serenity, accomplishment, courage, adventure...What grand feelings they are, and how important it is to recall those. To strive to have such moments in our lives, regardless of the season.

 

Thank you for sharing. This thread gives me a real lift, and I hope it does you, too.:)

[Jami]

I've never been much of a "go it alone" sort, not before marriage nor since. That's not to say it doesn't happen in various ways, but traveling alone is not something I crave, like some people do. That is why one solo trip really stands out as the creme de la creme.

 

I was 28 years old. Six months earlier, I had finally ended a six year relationship with the man I'd *thought* I would marry. Traditionally, we took a week long vacation together over Labor Day, usually a sailing trip, so I had already asked for time off from work in anticipation of that holiday. Suddenly, I had no one to vacate with!

 

I lived and worked in NC at the time, and mid-summer, my employer had reason to travel to Boston on business. Upon his return, he placed a flier on my desk from the New England Aquarium advertising a working-sailing trip aboard the Spirit of Massachusetts. "Just thought this might interest you," he chirped. I was in no mood to be humored. I tossed the ad aside and gave it little additional thought until about two weeks before Labor Day when suddenly the urge to go somewhere - anywhere - hit me like a train. I finagled a flight reservation at an affordable rate and began making plans. My mother told me later that my father was very resistant. "You can't let her go off to Boston by herself!" Parents are cute, aren't they? Suzanne, my apartment mate, began making inquiries as well, expressing that my trip sounded like such fun she'd like to join me. For the first time in my life, I didn't want a companion along. I wanted this to be *my* trip, but I hadn't the nerve to tell her that. Imagine my relief when she couldn't find a suitable plane ticket!

 

The whole experience was unforgettable. The crew and we paying passengers worked, laughed together, saw hump back whales, and sang silly sea shanty songs for hours at a time, for five days. I fell madly in love with one of the crew and we were married 5 months later! We celebrated 18 years together on Feb. 23.

 

One special journey indeed.

 

I LOVE this story! :001_wub: Just like something out of a novel. ;)

[Colleen in NS]

Once, when living about 20 minutes from Manhattan, I took a visiting friend of mine on a tour of Manhattan! I'd never done that before - I'd always just tagged along with other friends, letting them lead me around. I figured out how to get NJ Transit to Penn Station, and from there, I gave her a walking/bus tour all over the city for the day. And I found our way back to NJ that evening.

 

I traveled a lot in my early 20s, both in North America and out. It was always with other people. But one time, I got myself from Boston to Kona, Hawaii and back all by myself.

 

And now, I'm teaching myself a bunch of new things that I'd never learned before. All by myself. This is a big deal to me, because I used to assume I needed someone to teach me (and I still do need a teacher at times, but I can recognize by myself now when I need to ask for help). I'm taking a subject or skill area, and plowing through until I master another little step. It's very freeing to me.

[unsinkable]

I've never been much of a "go it alone" sort, not before marriage nor since. That's not to say it doesn't happen in various ways, but traveling alone is not something I crave, like some people do. That is why one solo trip really stands out as the creme de la creme.

 

I was 28 years old. Six months earlier, I had finally ended a six year relationship with the man I'd *thought* I would marry. Traditionally, we took a week long vacation together over Labor Day, usually a sailing trip, so I had already asked for time off from work in anticipation of that holiday. Suddenly, I had no one to vacate with!

 

I lived and worked in NC at the time, and mid-summer, my employer had reason to travel to Boston on business. Upon his return, he placed a flier on my desk from the New England Aquarium advertising a working-sailing trip aboard the Spirit of Massachusetts. "Just thought this might interest you," he chirped. I was in no mood to be humored. I tossed the ad aside and gave it little additional thought until about two weeks before Labor Day when suddenly the urge to go somewhere - anywhere - hit me like a train. I finagled a flight reservation at an affordable rate and began making plans. My mother told me later that my father was very resistant. "You can't let her go off to Boston by herself!" Parents are cute, aren't they? Suzanne, my apartment mate, began making inquiries as well, expressing that my trip sounded like such fun she'd like to join me. For the first time in my life, I didn't want a companion along. I wanted this to be *my* trip, but I hadn't the nerve to tell her that. Imagine my relief when she couldn't find a suitable plane ticket!

 

The whole experience was unforgettable. The crew and we paying passengers worked, laughed together, saw hump back whales, and sang silly sea shanty songs for hours at a time, for five days. I fell madly in love with one of the crew and we were married 5 months later! We celebrated 18 years together on Feb. 23.

 

One special journey indeed.

 

This is a great story. My dh & I had a quick engagement and we've been together almost 17 years!

[4kids4me]

My independent life experience is pretty small. I started dating dh when I was 16, was married at 19, had kids at 24, and have basically been with people my whole life.

 

But last year I took up running with a group. I'm the only one from my learn to run group that has stuck around. All the marathoners and 1/2 marathoners still run in the group...and other groups have since started, but no one but me has stuck around. Last week I was scheduled to run my longest distance ever -- 12k. Not THAT much for those experienced runners in my group, but you might as well have been asking me to run to the other side of the country.

 

I decided to ditch the group and do it by myself.

 

And I did it.

 

It felt great.

 

Really good.

 

I did it. By myself. With no one there but me and the Lord to encourage me.

 

It's a small thing, but it felt great.

[slug hollow]

The best tale of independent adventure I have is from when I was 24. I had always considered myself a serious artist & I decided it was time to run away to paint- leave the daily grind behind & be away from everyone so that I could create w/o inhibition or critique. I saved up enough money to get me through about 3 months & read up on Puerto Rico. I was brave enough to try a different culture & language, but not to give up the American justice system. :tongue_smilie:

The day I left it was 35 degrees below (with the wind chill) Blowing & drifting snow. I handed my leather jacket to my sister & got on a plane.

I stayed in a small town & walked wherever I needed to go. I swam a lot.

It was a beautiful time. I spent my 25th birthday alone on a beach, as I walked home that day I ran into an older man on a horse. (He smelled of rum.) We talked for a few minutes & he happened to ask how old I was. I'll always remember answering "Veintecinqo".

Shortly after I returned from my artistic sojourn, I made a plan & stood up (alone) to some ghosts from my childhood. That lunch was probably a bigger solitary triumph than the trip. I grew a lot as a person.

 

Thanks for sharing these stories.

[samba]

I moved across the country (NJ to CA) by myself. I had been teaching on the east coast for few years and just decided I was ready for a change. I needed to do it and once the decision was made I had no doubts or second thoughts (unusual for me). It was a surprise to my family. Nobody ever moved that far from home! My first few months in CA were very solitary. Outside of work, I went to the beach alone, spent evenings and weekends alone...It was so quiet and refreshing :chillpill:. I am a bit of a loner by nature and I really appreciate that time in my life.

 

Carolyn

Edited February 27, 2009 by samba

[Laura Corin]

Before I had children, but the year I spent in Beijing, from 1985-6. It was an extraordinary experience for a 22 year old, at an extraordinary time for the country (fewer than ten years after Mao's death). I'm serialising parts of my diary for that year on my blog.

 

Laura

[Remudamom]

I've driven cross county by myself before, 7 months pregnant and with a big collie dog. It seemed a big deal to everyone but me.

 

What I did by myself that impressed me was that I started breaking horses without help from the guys. I'm so proud of my "Memphis" I could pop.

[Julie in CA]

What about you? What solitary endeavour was most meaningful to you?

First of all, I'm really enjoying reading this thread. Some of you are so adventurous! I never really have been....

 

I did have an experience where I *felt* alone though, and it was difficult, and scary, AND in large part it made me the more mature and complex person I am today. ;)

 

I started out my marriage with bright eyes, looking cheerfully towards a life of housewifery and a full house of children. It didn't exactly happen that way, and after over a year of actively "trying", I still wasn't pregnant. We looked into adoption, but we were young and inexperienced, and my dh wasn't ready for that. As for me, I didn't care a bit where my dc came from, adoption would have been fine. After a couple of years, and a doctor who said we'd never have children, along came ds#1. Within 7 years, we'd racked up 5 kids. It was a gestational whirlwind, and life was full (and happy!)

 

8 weeks after my daughter, Amy, was born, she contracted meningitis. It was sudden, and severe, and happened in the night, so my other 4 dc woke up one morning and mommy and baby were gone. For a month. After a lumbar puncture in the emergency room, the emergency room was closed, the personnel all had to be quarantined and medicated, all of my other kids, along with dh's extended family (including about 25 adults & children) with whom we'd had contact the day before, had to take strong prophylactic medicine. I had to stay quarantined with the baby, who was, at that point, close to death. She was extremely *extremely* hypersensitive to light, noise, and touch. She was clearly in constant incredible pain, and yet it was clearly even more excruciating when I touched her in any way to comfort her.

 

We settled into a routine where I spent all day and all night crammed into the hospital crib with her, with my shirt up so she could latch on, because nursing was the only comfort that didn't seem to hurt her more (as long as I didn't actually touch her while doing it).

 

After about a week, she started to experience seizures, which led to an ultrasound of her brain that showed abscesses in several places. She was life-flighted in a helicopter to a major hospital in another city to see a pediatric infectious disease specialist, and to be evaluated and monitored by the CDC. The helicopter only had room for the pilot and the necessary emergency medical team.

 

My dh and I had to drive over 100 miles to try and meet them at the hospital, and my dh could only stay for 6 hours before he had to get back home to work. This was many years ago, and we were still relatively newly-established on our dairy. There just was no way dh's brother could continue the pace of doing his job and my dh's too. Dh had to go. Period. I stayed at the hospital, sleeping in a chair next to her crib, for almost a month. Dh would come to visit for a few hours every couple of days, and after a couple of weeks he insisted (and rightly so, I might add) that I leave the hospital and go to a motel for at least 2 hours, so that I could shower and take a 1/2 hour nap before returning to the hospital.

 

If you've read this far, I'm amazed....

 

So, he gave me the keys and told me where to find the car. I hadn't seen fresh air or daylight for several weeks by then, but I found the car ok, and found my way to the motel. The shower felt glorious (and guilty), the 30 minutes of undisturbed sleep felt glorious (and guilty), but soon it was time to find my way back to the hospital. The problem was that when I returned to the hospital, the only parking was in a multiple-story parking structure where the clearance was within inches of the top of my suburban. I stopped the car just in the entrance of the parking structure, and felt it's terrible weight on the top of me. I just sat there, slightly dazed, sure that that garage was going to crush me. Yeah, I know, it wasn't rational, but there I was, alone, and the only way I could get back to my baby was to proceed further and further into that parking garage. Even if it killed me. And I seriously thought it might.

 

That moment in the parking garage was my single most alone-moment in my life. Obviously I made it through, I parked the car in the parking structure, and made it back in the hospital to my baby. Honestly, I'd never felt braver or more tested, and really a small, tired part of me was proud of the fact that I'd carried through no matter how hard it was (even if it was a silly and stupid irrational fear that had made it that hard).

 

So, was this my most-favorite alone time? Not exactly. Was it the alone time that made me grow the most in terms of character? Sure.

 

Hopefully y'all don't think I'm totally off-my-rocker-nuts. Really, I almost always seem sane and logical now. ;)

[unsinkable]

Julie in CA,

 

You are amazing!

 

I think you might have shared part of this story before but not the parking garage part...that had to be terrifying!

[Harriet Vane]

8 weeks after my daughter, Amy, was born, she contracted meningitis.

 

Was your dd okay? What a terribly ordeal for the poor little one--my heart goes out to you both.

 

:grouphug:

[Julie in CA]

Julie in CA,

 

You are amazing!

 

I think you might have shared part of this story before but not the parking garage part...that had to be terrifying!

Yeah...terrifying and really stoopid, lol!

I've never really felt like I could be open about that parking garage thing, because I'm aware that really *sane* people might not understand. :001_huh:

[Julie in CA]

Was your dd okay? What a terribly ordeal for the poor little one--my heart goes out to you both.

 

:grouphug:

Well, yes, as a matter of fact, in the end she was okay. It was a month of continuous nightmare, but in the end she came out of it a healthy and happy baby. When the pediatric infectious disease doc finally discharged Amy from the hospital, my dh said to the doc, "Wow, it felt like this day would never come. Four weeks ago she (Amy) looked half dead!" The specialist looked at him a little strangely and said, "Well, sir...she didn't just look it, she really was more than half dead. This is the happy ending we live for."

 

At the time, we were told that something like 70% (30% don't survive) of the babies who survive what she had, come out of it with severe disabilities, and that around 40% of those babies who survive come out of it with profound blindness or hearing loss.

 

We are truly blessed. :) She's as normal as normal can be, in every way.

(Though our health insurance still considers her a risk :confused: She's now 10 1/2 years old.)

Edited February 28, 2009 by Julie in CA

[Harriet Vane]

Well, yes, as a matter of fact, in the end she was okay.

 

We are truly blessed. :) She's as normal as normal can be, in every way.

 

 

God is truly good.

[ereks mom]

It's funny to think of it this way, but I actually had no time as a single adult. I got married during college... So I really had no independent adventures. I never even owned a car before dh and I got married! It's funny, because I always have viewed myself as an independent person.. but I'm realizing that I haven't done much independently! :lol:

 

Probably my fondest pre-marriage memories are of going off to college on my own, that taste of independence. I was the first person in our family to ever attend college, and that meant a lot to me to be able to do that.

 

This describes me as well.