I went through all my belongings, keeping only

what was neccessary-clothes, son's clothes, a camera

and a few other oddoments. There was a lot to sacrifice for

this journey, and I was willing to go the extra mile and shed myself

of my un-needed earthly possessions.

It was hard going through my son's things however.

Knowing where each toy had come from, the memories of; birthdays,

"just-because" and holidays. That was the hardest thing I had to let go of.

A three year old doesn't know any better-he sees the toys, play with them for

a short time and never pick them up again.  Emotional attachments connect to every object

received from one person to another, and for this reason, I found it so difficult.

Once you think you have all of your belongings condensed-you don't.

One goes through many levels of condensing. Can you imagine a reasonably sized car-

Mercury Sable stuffed to the brim, back seat tightly compacted, along with a three year old,

and a trunk full of predominately clothes. All one really needs for means of survival are

the bare essentials: Clothes, food, money, blankets.

That's what we had. That's what we left with.. We had left beloved Bellevue, Nebraska-and henced forth..onto

the open road....