With spring comes a bit of saddness.

@jillhill (37354)
United States
April 22, 2013 7:29am CST
Now that the weather is on the cusp of being nice....except here it has still be snowing but the anticipation of spring brings a bit of saddness for me. For the last five years spring brought the excitment of getting our camper ready for the camping season. Planning on what we needed to supply the camper....having our first sleepover even when it was chilly...just spending the weekends together. Since my son got a divorce we had to sell the camper. Most of my weekends for the past five years have been consumed by being with my son and his family....now there are no plans....no camper. My granddaughter is particularily sad as she is only seven and it was the way she spent her summer. They would even take a weeks vacation and stay out at the camper....swimming in the pool and just relaxing. I told her that this year I would rent a camper for a weekend so we could go out and spend time at the campground with her friends. I also talked to the owners of the campgrounds and they said that my granddaughter can still come out and do crafts on Sat. afternoons..and I can still bring her swimming. But it won't be the same. The memories we made during the camping season will be with us forever but now are forever lost too! Do you have a certain time of year that makes you sad?
7 people like this
16 responses
@yanzalong (18988)
• Indonesia
22 Apr 13
I have only two seasons: dry and wet. To me, sadness only comes when dry season lasts more than we expect. Seasons are now unpredictable.
2 people like this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
23 Apr 13
Very unpredicatable!
@2004cqui (2812)
• United States
22 Apr 13
On my, if I looked back at my life and remember all the times things I loved to do had to come to an end I'd be crying my eyeballs out all day. My favorite memory is being up north at my Aunt and Uncles farm. Every weekend and sometimes for a week at a time. I remember getting up before the sun, walking out to the pasture and getting my favorite horse. The two of us would stand in the farm yard and with a great amount of excitement I would mount her and ride all day. I skipped meals just to ride that 1/2 Quarter Horse, 1/2 Arabian. As I think back to those days it's with great fondness because of the lives my Husband and I built for ourselves that we live today. We raised 3 rambunctious boys and we were broke for 6 of those years. Now we travel 2 to 3 times a year, etc, etc. Next year we're staying at a great guest ranch in Florida for 6 days. This year is Miami and Jamaica in the fall. Life changes in peculiar ways. We can't see the future but, can remember our past. But the clock is ticking. At 56 we need to do as much as we can as long as we have our health! Your life isn't over!
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
22 Apr 13
Sweetheart....I am alot older then you are! I wish I wasn't! LOL....I do travel but this was something special!
@2004cqui (2812)
• United States
22 Apr 13
Oh my and you still work?! You work, have your own side business, etc, etc? I hope to be as healthy as you are!
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
23 Apr 13
I am glad you have made these family memories and still have the connections. I know it is not the same but it will be okay. I am sad in the spring because of all the deaths I have experienced in the spring. Right now our family seems to be straining apart again with another generation having illnesses and problems. I know I will feel better when some of the things are resolved and at this point there is no one dying.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
23 Apr 13
I am glad for that! My son used to get into trouble alot in the fall....seems it was an anniversary of something that upset him alot...
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
23 Apr 13
Hello Jill Hill. It was a shame when your son got divorced you had to sell the camper van. You have many memories of trip in that camper van to think back to and enjoy. I love relaxing and swimming in a pool. Winter with its bitter cold weather can make me sad. I prefer spring and summer time if it is warm. Right now it is way too windy in my location. However sunny it is that wind is there. I suggest you buy a large tent and recreate summers of the past with any family members that are available.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
23 Apr 13
That would be fun! Tenting I mean. All of us would enjoy that so much!
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
22 Apr 13
Awww, that is sad, I remember you talking about the camping trips and as a child, I also went camping every year, but I only stopped because I moved out, not because my dad had to sell the camper. Of course when he did a couple years later, I do remember how sad it was that the camper was being sold and that there would be no more camping, not even for my dad. I don't know what it is like where you live, but even a small plot to hold a tent for your granddaughter, even inside, (we would camp out during Sukkot with a small tent inside because it was too cold), and she may enjoy that.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
22 Apr 13
That is another option! Thanks!
1 person likes this
• United States
22 Apr 13
You're welcome, and since your granddaughter is only 7, she will probably really love it, I know my children did. Another option if you don't want to purchase a small tent or you don't have the room and take some furniture, tables, chairs, even just the kitchen table will do, and throw blankets over and under and all around, my son at 10 still does this sometimes...
• India
23 Apr 13
Thanks for this discussion, no particular time of the year, but rainy weather with air full of humidity makes me sad and kind of unstable.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
23 Apr 13
I can understand that!
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
29 Apr 13
Awww thats ashame although it sounds like your little granddaughter can still have some fun swimming and doing crafts at the campground. Sometimes I get sad around Christmas time. I think back about how much fun I had with cousins especially that time of the year when I was a child. I certainly don't let it ruin my holidays though because it's fun now to spend time with the grandkids and of course our daughters as well.
• United States
22 Apr 13
Ohhhh, this is just so sad to hear...and yes, I have some sad memories too about camping and all the fun we had. Is there any way the campground would cut you a deal on purchasing a camper? I've seen some that were priced really low and it usually starts around now until summer ends. Could you go in on one with your son again?
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
22 Apr 13
He just bought a new house and car....no camper. Its not the cost of buying..its the yearly rental that gets to be kinda spendy. We used to split everything 3 ways...so it was easy to afford.
1 person likes this
@GreenMoo (11834)
22 Apr 13
I'm convinced that you and your family will create some new traditions and fresh memories very soon.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
22 Apr 13
I think we can!
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
22 Apr 13
Aww, that is sad! I get sad towards the end of summer. So much stuff we wanted to do but couldn't afford to or find the time. I always feel bad that the kids aren't having nice enough summers because we don't go enough places.. things like that.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
22 Apr 13
Ah....that is something we can't control either....I understand completely.
@rosekiss (30414)
• Eugene, Oregon
22 Apr 13
Winter is the season that makes me sad and depressed, because it is cold, and I can't go for walks and have to stay inside. the winter months seem so long and harsh at times, even though, where I live, we don't get much snow, and I am glad for that as well. As far as camping is concerned, I don't do that, as I live alone, so i end up spedning all summer alone, but I am used to it. I can get out more and enjoy the sunshine and nice weather. I am just gload it is spring and getting warmer a little bit anyway. Take care, and have a great day.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
22 Apr 13
In the winter I have hobbies I work on that I don't in the summer...so I don't get too depressed. I look forward to working on my hobbies.
@Dominique25 (9464)
• United States
22 Apr 13
Sorry to hear all that. I'm sure everyone in some way will miss that time. You all did create great memories. I'm sure that if something like that happened to our family we would miss things like that. I'm glad to hear that she will be able to do some of those things still.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
22 Apr 13
I thought it was nice of the owners to give her permission to come out...she was quite happy when she heard it.
@Deepak2J (1178)
• India
22 Apr 13
That's a sad story. Hope you will all be good soon. And I don't have any certain time to be sad or happy. I just love to adjust, whatever it is. Have a nice day
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
22 Apr 13
You have a wonderful day too!
@emily7339 (1337)
• Malaysia
22 Apr 13
I am sorry to hear that you have to sell the camper. However, I do wish you and your family will still able to get to enjoy your summer by renting a camper during weekend. I am sure your granddaughter will be happy and get to enjoy with her friends . Whenever it reaches month of September, I will have a heavy heart. It was my sister's birthday as well as the day we lost her . Though we may not enjoy her presence now but she will always be in our heart.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
22 Apr 13
Gone but not forgotten! Wonderful!
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
23 Apr 13
Oh man that IS a bummer! Maybe eventually he can get another one? He could look on craigslist and maybe find a used one at a decent price or go to a wholesale dealer and maybe get one at a good price. That's what hubby and I did, we went to a wholesale dealer and bought one and LOVE it! However, at least your granddaughter can go and visit and do the things she used to do and no it won't be the same but at least it's something.
• Indonesia
24 Apr 13
Feels sad when something nice we have during our certain time of year is changed because of something we can’t control. But I think you and your family will find a new tradition pretty soon and enjoyed the time together as a family. I hope you have a wonderful day ahead.