Tell Them I Said Yes to Life [T minus 1 month]

Just as long as I have breath, I must answer, "Yes," to life;

Though with pain I make my way,

Still with hope I meet each day.

If they ask what I did well,

Tell them I said, "Yes," to life.

(A. Carpenter, 1981, in the UUA Hymnal )

Katherine Schneider (b. 1967, pictured March 2020)

Two months ago I gave notice at my highly visible, peak of career job as a CEO in one of the most cutting edge areas of healthcare, in order to move out of my very nice home (with indoor plumbing and abundant hot water) and spend a year driving a beast of a red truck, towing a 25 foot tiny aluminum house (with a composting toilet) to the northernmost, westernmost, southernmost, and easternmost points of the Continental US. 


FAQ 1)  "Are you OK?"    Answer:  Hell, Yeah!
FAQ 2)  "Why?"

Answer A:  Below is my genetic predisposition to this behavior.  In her 20's, my mother took off across the country (and some of Europe) on a Vespa with a little suitcase and a gun under the seat (I have a letter from her mother, whom I never met, begging her not to).  In his 30's, my father took off across the country in a single engine Air Coop with a terrified girlfriend (not my mother - they met shortly after his return, possibly after the girlfriend fled?).

Charlotte Alex Schneider (1927-2005, pictured 1950's)

Henry Schneider (b. 1927, pictured c. 1966)

 Answer B: Because I have been dreaming about getting an Airstream and driving across the country on the Great American Road Trip for decades.  Four decades, to be exact.  My 28 year old daughter (!) reminded me that I have been talking about doing this as long as she can remember.   And because NOW I CAN AND I WILL.  Though I have made plenty of mistakes in life, it's the things NOT done that cause the most regrets, and I'm not going to let this be the one that is completely under my control yet becomes the life not lived.  

Answer C:  Because I went to high school at age 11 (long story, involving living abroad and a choice between that and being put into 5th grade at the German language Ursuline convent school), college at age 15, medical school at age 19, got married at 23, became a mom at 24, became a Chief SomethingOrOther at 34 and have been going the whole time with at most three weeks in a row off (that was in 1987) .... even the last two times that I left a job I ended up overlapping with the next one ... I am now gifting myself a gap year, or a "personal sabbatical".  I'm not burned out, I'm on fire!  But everyone needs an occasional pause for rest and reflection. My Soul Longs for the Sabbath

Answer D:  Because I have about 50 hours per day of things that I hope to do that do not involve my current day job, including getting out of my professional and personal bubble, getting outside and seeing our vast, beautiful country, a little health policy field research, prioritizing my own wellness (I am really ok!), living more simply and mindfully, a little volunteer work for causes that matter to me, and in general taking on a different set of daily challenges.  More details on this in a later post under heading of "Hopes".

FAQ 3) "Are you going alone?"   Answer:   One of these handsome boys is going with me, and will do so enthusiastically because that's how he does life. The other one was invited but having already earned his Eagle Scout badge he now likes indoor plumbing (and income, and health insurance, and walk-in closets - i.e. he's all in) - he will join when we're at a warm beach or wine country. People have different dreams, and nobody should be made miserable living someone else's.

FAQ 4) "Are you bringing a gun?"   Answer:  Classified information.

FAQ 5) "Aren't you scared?"  Answer:  Of course!  That's kind of the point!  It's also known as a "growth mindset" which I try very hard to live every day.  I will keep count of how many times I cry.  More details on this in a later post under heading "Fears".

FAQ 6) "Do you have a route?"   Answer, something like this - precise details are classified information but include crossing the Arctic Circle around the Summer Solstice (how pagan of me):

FAQ 7) "Where's the Airstream now? Have you ever driven a thing like that?"  Answer:  The past few months have been a whirlwind of preparation while still working more than full time, and living in downtown Philadelphia in an apartment building with a garage that has about 6' clearance.  The dealer has been graciously storing the 2020 Globetrotter 25' FBT travel trailer (Airstream lingo) since purchase in late 2019. The 2020 Ford F-250 turbo-diesel tow vehicle came off the line a few weeks ago.  More details on her and him in a later post under heading of "The Rig."

FAQ 8) "Are you going to write a book"   Answer:  TBD, doubtful, but since I like writing and apparently you read this far, I'll at least share my journal here, more or less weekly.  Please subscribe by email using the button at the top.

FAQ 9) "Can I come?"    Answer:  Yes!  At least virtually!   (And if this is truly a dream that you share, or whatever your version is, then it's up to you to say yes to yourself).

Though below me I feel no motion, 

Standing on these mountains and plains.

Far away from the rolling ocean,

Still my dry land heart can say:

I've been sailing all my life now,

Never harbor or port have I known.

The wide universe is the ocean I travel

And the earth is my blue boat home.

(P. Mayer, 2002, "the teal hymnal")