I loved your Part 1. I'm looking forward to the others. Great story and I especially loved the pictures. It certainly brings back old memories when ex and I drove the US every year on vacation. That's one thing I miss about ex. LOL. The gypsy blood is still here I know now. Let us know how things go with your decision. I can understand ambivalence. Such a big decision. Good luck to you and hubby in whichever path you decide to take. If you decide to continue to travel, contact me and we can do the same. I certainly miss those days. Ha!
Thanks so much, Peri! The two sequels to this trilogy are already drafted, and will be released soon, so stay tuned. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos; I had to sift through thousands of them to choose a handful of nice ones to post. What are the favorite places you visited on your road trips?
Oh boy, do I understand about sifting through all the pictures. I had even found 2 that I really liked and had them blown up to poster size. One is on my living room wall. My ex used to call me Shutterbug. We went through so many places through the years, that it's really difficult to decide what my favorite places were. I loved Niagara Falls, seeing Boston was great, we hit quite a few Civil War locations including Gettysburg. We visited Denison, TX where my father and my grandmother were both born. We located the house my dad was born in, went to the door and explained who I was. I was invited in and we talked for a while. She showed me the papers where the house was sold to them with my relatives' signatures on them. It was great. Eisenhower was born in Denison also. So many places we went through the years and we loved doing that.
It is special to revisit old family places! When I drove across Canada two summers ago, I visited the town where my grandfather was born. Some relatives there took me to his mother‘s grave. It was a very powerful experience.
Aww Liz this is beautifully shared, your writing is heartwarming and it is inspiring to see you work through the ups and downs of making big life decisions. And all of the Gorgeous pictures! Thank you for your honest words. I’m looking forward to what’s to come!
I went on the IVF journey when I remarried and tried to have children at an older age. I tried first with my own eggs and then those of a donor. So I'm looking forward to reading about your journey! I also just subscribed to your Substack!
Wow Julie, I’m so glad that we’ve connected! Was your donor-egg IVF successful? It is such a long, fraught journey, and as I’ve shared in this piece, one that is stressful to even contemplate. Thank you for following along with me! Parts 2 and 3 are coming soon…
Mine were not successful but I know I did everything possible! I also think my husband’s sperm also “had issues” which complicated things since we always used his sperm. I do have two children from a prior marriage when I was a lot younger. Looking forward to part 2 and 3!
Thanks Yasmin, that means the world to me! It’s taken me two months to write the trilogy of which this is the first part… all together, they are 15,000 words, and when I typed the final sentence, it felt like I had finished a book! 😂 It actually made me think that I could compile my essays from the past two and a half years into a coherent collection, so thank you for the nudge to do that. I’m so grateful to have readers like you who are willing to sit for a while with my words! ❤️
I think between you and Tom Ryan, I will see so much of the fabulous and interesting places of the United States. One of my top trips with my son and family was our trip to Yosemite in 2014 … growing up in NH and now living in OH, it was beyond anything I’d ever seen.
Thank you, Christina! Tom and I are both lucky to have the opportunity to travel with our dogs and share our experiences. Yosemite is magical, but my gosh, it is busy. Next time I go, I hope I can escape to the backcountry!
My heart went through such a journey reading this, ending in tears. My eyes will be peeled for your next updates! I’ve been following your journey as I navigated my own about becoming a parent for the last few years and have been wondering how it would turn out for you all along.
Thank you for reading and for commenting, Duwan! I’m glad you enjoyed the photos; they take almost as much time to put together as the writing. Then next installment will be coming soon… 😁
Thank you for giving me the heads up about these coming out. I've not really been on substack reading much, not sure why, but I could feel the push and pull that I'm also facing. The only difference was I could feel myself going 'but you've got a great backup lfie', I feel very exposed saying that as I feel it mean and that part of my selfish infertile brain.
I equally thoroughly enjoy your writing. I love that it's sandwiched with the travel to take the edge of the intensity that is infertility decisions.
As always, I love connecting with you through words and common ground. A big auld hug from me to you 💚💚💚 onto part 2!!! Xx
I loved your Part 1. I'm looking forward to the others. Great story and I especially loved the pictures. It certainly brings back old memories when ex and I drove the US every year on vacation. That's one thing I miss about ex. LOL. The gypsy blood is still here I know now. Let us know how things go with your decision. I can understand ambivalence. Such a big decision. Good luck to you and hubby in whichever path you decide to take. If you decide to continue to travel, contact me and we can do the same. I certainly miss those days. Ha!
Thanks so much, Peri! The two sequels to this trilogy are already drafted, and will be released soon, so stay tuned. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos; I had to sift through thousands of them to choose a handful of nice ones to post. What are the favorite places you visited on your road trips?
Oh boy, do I understand about sifting through all the pictures. I had even found 2 that I really liked and had them blown up to poster size. One is on my living room wall. My ex used to call me Shutterbug. We went through so many places through the years, that it's really difficult to decide what my favorite places were. I loved Niagara Falls, seeing Boston was great, we hit quite a few Civil War locations including Gettysburg. We visited Denison, TX where my father and my grandmother were both born. We located the house my dad was born in, went to the door and explained who I was. I was invited in and we talked for a while. She showed me the papers where the house was sold to them with my relatives' signatures on them. It was great. Eisenhower was born in Denison also. So many places we went through the years and we loved doing that.
It is special to revisit old family places! When I drove across Canada two summers ago, I visited the town where my grandfather was born. Some relatives there took me to his mother‘s grave. It was a very powerful experience.
Aww Liz this is beautifully shared, your writing is heartwarming and it is inspiring to see you work through the ups and downs of making big life decisions. And all of the Gorgeous pictures! Thank you for your honest words. I’m looking forward to what’s to come!
Thank you, my friend. It’s a lot of work to take what’s inside and express it in words and images. I’m grateful that you read and enjoyed it! 🙏
I'm always so happy when I see Liz Explores in my mailbox!
And I’m always so happy when I see Dhuti Elizabeth Johnson in my comments! 🤗
I went on the IVF journey when I remarried and tried to have children at an older age. I tried first with my own eggs and then those of a donor. So I'm looking forward to reading about your journey! I also just subscribed to your Substack!
Wow Julie, I’m so glad that we’ve connected! Was your donor-egg IVF successful? It is such a long, fraught journey, and as I’ve shared in this piece, one that is stressful to even contemplate. Thank you for following along with me! Parts 2 and 3 are coming soon…
Mine were not successful but I know I did everything possible! I also think my husband’s sperm also “had issues” which complicated things since we always used his sperm. I do have two children from a prior marriage when I was a lot younger. Looking forward to part 2 and 3!
I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you, but sometimes we do just need to know that we did everything in our power before we can move on. 🤗
Yes that was true for me!
And the most important ingredient of all, I’m learning, is acceptance. ❤️
Yes that is the hard part but attainable!
So awesome love following your posts! Feels like reading a book (hint hint)
Thanks Yasmin, that means the world to me! It’s taken me two months to write the trilogy of which this is the first part… all together, they are 15,000 words, and when I typed the final sentence, it felt like I had finished a book! 😂 It actually made me think that I could compile my essays from the past two and a half years into a coherent collection, so thank you for the nudge to do that. I’m so grateful to have readers like you who are willing to sit for a while with my words! ❤️
I think between you and Tom Ryan, I will see so much of the fabulous and interesting places of the United States. One of my top trips with my son and family was our trip to Yosemite in 2014 … growing up in NH and now living in OH, it was beyond anything I’d ever seen.
I always enjoy reading your posts …
Thank you, Christina! Tom and I are both lucky to have the opportunity to travel with our dogs and share our experiences. Yosemite is magical, but my gosh, it is busy. Next time I go, I hope I can escape to the backcountry!
Love Tom’s writing as well!
Wow, that's great. Very powerful experience indeed visiting where your family came from.
Wow, what a read! I will look forward to the next parts too.
Thank you so much, Debi! 😄
My heart went through such a journey reading this, ending in tears. My eyes will be peeled for your next updates! I’ve been following your journey as I navigated my own about becoming a parent for the last few years and have been wondering how it would turn out for you all along.
Thank you Emily, I remember our conversation last year! I would love an update on your journey if you’re willing to share. ❤️
I’ll message you!
I'm very curious to find out what you decided - and why. Your pictures are stunning. I miss the Southwest. There is nothing like it.
Thank you for reading and for commenting, Duwan! I’m glad you enjoyed the photos; they take almost as much time to put together as the writing. Then next installment will be coming soon… 😁
How beautiful this was to read ❤️
Thank you so much, IM! ❤️
Thank you for giving me the heads up about these coming out. I've not really been on substack reading much, not sure why, but I could feel the push and pull that I'm also facing. The only difference was I could feel myself going 'but you've got a great backup lfie', I feel very exposed saying that as I feel it mean and that part of my selfish infertile brain.
I equally thoroughly enjoy your writing. I love that it's sandwiched with the travel to take the edge of the intensity that is infertility decisions.
As always, I love connecting with you through words and common ground. A big auld hug from me to you 💚💚💚 onto part 2!!! Xx