I'm new to this site - so grateful it exists - and wanted to introduce myself | Squat the Planet

I'm new to this site - so grateful it exists - and wanted to introduce myself

SammiePa

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2020
Messages
46
Reaction score
42
Location
Vermont
Website
www.stephenbartlettwriter.com
Recently stumbled across this site while researchin' hitchin', hoppin', and all around vagabonding. A little about me. Grew up in Vermont, served in the Army, lived and worked in a few places while serving, and after getting out, worked as a painter, landscaper, teacher, journalist for a long time, and more recently, did a three-year gig in the Adirondacks as a critical care tech in a hospital's intensive care unit. I actually left journalism for the medical field, because my son inspired me to make a difference in the world. My son, Sammie, was born with a syndrome, but despite some hardy obstacles, he defied expectations to the point doctors doubted, for example, how sick his heart was until they saw it. That boy progressed and lived in his own unique way and walked through life with grace and integrity, living joyfully and lovingly and always honestly, with no shame. A medical mistake during an emergency room visit claimed his life nearly nine months ago. Even though he didn't look it or act it, that beautiful boy was fragile. Left the medical field 'cause I can't be doing chest compressions on people anymore after watching them performed on my boy, and I can't care for patients in an ICU after watching my boy struggle during his final days, though I miss caring for people in that way, and always felt it was an honor to be with them during their most vulnerable of times. Went back to journalism briefly after my son passed, but it was too much too soon, and left after a few months and returned to Vermont and my siblings. Been there since, benefiting from their support (losing a child is overwhelming and devastating), stocking shelves a few hours a day at a small country store for routine and money, and reflecting and doing what I can to move forward with a version of myself I can live with and love, and with this pain and loss I'll always carry, which actually is one of the reasons I'm here. I fucking loved being a dad, all the adventures, kayaking, hiking, camping, exploring, laughing and dancing and just being goofy. Nothing like it!! But now that my son's passed, I find myself reflecting on how I'll spend my time. I've had a beautiful life and won't settle for anything less than intense and beautiful and raw going forward. I loved traveling in the military, always wanted to write and work around the world, but I've also always wanted to travel and rough it and live it with absolute freedom. Felt that tug my whole life, stronger when I read "On The Road" or watched "Into the Wild," etc. I ain't goin' to my grave with regrets. I wanna live and love life in the ways I want, and so that brings me here. Pretty sure after this summer, I'm putting what I wanna keep - mostly stuff connected to my son - in storage and leaving Vermont and head out, either hopping a train, hitching, most likely both, just explore, work when I find it and wanna settle and explore an area a bit, but just live, for however long as I want, with that freedom, especially while my body's still strong and healthy and active. Life is short, rules are constructs, and when you're free in your mind you can create your own reality, as long as you can live with it. So I've been doing some research, into dumpster-diving even, just seeing what I'll be getting into, and I came across this site. I'm eager to chat with some good folks, get some advice, pass along any I might have. So yeah, hello, y'all. Hope everyone's got some beautiful things going' on in life and that it outweighs the hard, heavy and painful stuff we experience and carry.
 

Bushpig

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 25, 2019
Messages
130
Reaction score
226
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Welcome, bro! That's a heavy story. Life can beat the fuck outta ya, but some people don't roll over and give up. You sound like one of those people. Good on ya, buddy! There is a wealth of info on this site, and a goddamn hoarde of helpful weirdos. Ask anything and someone here can probably answer.
 

LuckyMinnie

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 3, 2019
Messages
56
Reaction score
146
Location
El Paso, TX
Recently stumbled across this site while researchin' hitchin', hoppin', and all around vagabonding. A little about me. Grew up in Vermont, served in the Army, lived and worked in a few places while serving, and after getting out, worked as a painter, landscaper, teacher, journalist for a long time, and more recently, did a three-year gig in the Adirondacks as a critical care tech in a hospital's intensive care unit. I actually left journalism for the medical field, because my son inspired me to make a difference in the world. My son, Sammie, was born with a syndrome, but despite some hardy obstacles, he defied expectations to the point doctors doubted, for example, how sick his heart was until they saw it. That boy progressed and lived in his own unique way and walked through life with grace and integrity, living joyfully and lovingly and always honestly, with no shame. A medical mistake during an emergency room visit claimed his life nearly nine months ago. Even though he didn't look it or act it, that beautiful boy was fragile. Left the medical field 'cause I can't be doing chest compressions on people anymore after watching them performed on my boy, and I can't care for patients in an ICU after watching my boy struggle during his final days, though I miss caring for people in that way, and always felt it was an honor to be with them during their most vulnerable of times. Went back to journalism briefly after my son passed, but it was too much too soon, and left after a few months and returned to Vermont and my siblings. Been there since, benefiting from their support (losing a child is overwhelming and devastating), stocking shelves a few hours a day at a small country store for routine and money, and reflecting and doing what I can to move forward with a version of myself I can live with and love, and with this pain and loss I'll always carry, which actually is one of the reasons I'm here. I fucking loved being a dad, all the adventures, kayaking, hiking, camping, exploring, laughing and dancing and just being goofy. Nothing like it!! But now that my son's passed, I find myself reflecting on how I'll spend my time. I've had a beautiful life and won't settle for anything less than intense and beautiful and raw going forward. I loved traveling in the military, always wanted to write and work around the world, but I've also always wanted to travel and rough it and live it with absolute freedom. Felt that tug my whole life, stronger when I read "On The Road" or watched "Into the Wild," etc. I ain't goin' to my grave with regrets. I wanna live and love life in the ways I want, and so that brings me here. Pretty sure after this summer, I'm putting what I wanna keep - mostly stuff connected to my son - in storage and leaving Vermont and head out, either hopping a train, hitching, most likely both, just explore, work when I find it and wanna settle and explore an area a bit, but just live, for however long as I want, with that freedom, especially while my body's still strong and healthy and active. Life is short, rules are constructs, and when you're free in your mind you can create your own reality, as long as you can live with it. So I've been doing some research, into dumpster-diving even, just seeing what I'll be getting into, and I came across this site. I'm eager to chat with some good folks, get some advice, pass along any I might have. So yeah, hello, y'all. Hope everyone's got some beautiful things going' on in life and that it outweighs the hard, heavy and painful stuff we experience and carry.
I strongly recommend you get some grief counseling before you do anything else. The way you talk about your life in past tense concerns me. Adventure seeking is a great way to hide from pain. But the feelings we run from can hit us like a freight train when we least expect it. It's most productive and healthy to face them head on.
 

nikhil madhusudhanan

Active member
Joined
Nov 11, 2018
Messages
35
Reaction score
33
Location
Shithole, India
Website
www.howdoeshomeopathywork.com
All the best to you! Yeah travel can be hella therapeutic my man...if you know Hobo Shoestring (he has a youtube channel) he lost his young boy to an accident at 3/4 years of age back in the 90's. It may not seem it at this point but the hurt will decrease with time. From what I read about your son, he was an absolute fighter! Got it from the father no doubt :)
 

SammiePa

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2020
Messages
46
Reaction score
42
Location
Vermont
Website
www.stephenbartlettwriter.com
I strongly recommend you get some grief counseling before you do anything else. The way you talk about your life in past tense concerns me. Adventure seeking is a great way to hide from pain. But the feelings we run from can hit us like a freight train when we least expect it. It's most productive and healthy to face them head on.
Thanks for the advice. In most cases, I think that would fit people, but I'm actually well schooled in the benefits of therapy and utilizing it to change brain patterns and remove obstacles in life, and, I've sought and benefited from help for my current situation. This is more of a, my circumstances have changed tremendously kinda thing and there are certain things I've wanted to do with my life, or always felt a pull to explore, and now that my circumstances have changed, some of those things that maybe have never been a choice I would make before due to responsibilities and what have you, are possibilities now. My first priority in life is being healthy and happy and not running from things and coming out of the this a a beautiful version of myself. But yes, again, thanks for feeling free to offer the advice, because I do think a majority of people in the same scenario would fit that description, and yeah, going down a different road with an escapist mindset wouldn't be great for me, for anyone, because you take yourself with you wherever you go.
 

Kenada

Well-known member
Joined
May 7, 2020
Messages
56
Reaction score
63
Location
Portland, OR
Recently stumbled across this site while researchin' hitchin', hoppin', and all around vagabonding. A little about me. Grew up in Vermont, served in the Army, lived and worked in a few places while serving, and after getting out, worked as a painter, landscaper, teacher, journalist for a long time, and more recently, did a three-year gig in the Adirondacks as a critical care tech in a hospital's intensive care unit. I actually left journalism for the medical field, because my son inspired me to make a difference in the world. My son, Sammie, was born with a syndrome, but despite some hardy obstacles, he defied expectations to the point doctors doubted, for example, how sick his heart was until they saw it. That boy progressed and lived in his own unique way and walked through life with grace and integrity, living joyfully and lovingly and always honestly, with no shame. A medical mistake during an emergency room visit claimed his life nearly nine months ago. Even though he didn't look it or act it, that beautiful boy was fragile. Left the medical field 'cause I can't be doing chest compressions on people anymore after watching them performed on my boy, and I can't care for patients in an ICU after watching my boy struggle during his final days, though I miss caring for people in that way, and always felt it was an honor to be with them during their most vulnerable of times. Went back to journalism briefly after my son passed, but it was too much too soon, and left after a few months and returned to Vermont and my siblings. Been there since, benefiting from their support (losing a child is overwhelming and devastating), stocking shelves a few hours a day at a small country store for routine and money, and reflecting and doing what I can to move forward with a version of myself I can live with and love, and with this pain and loss I'll always carry, which actually is one of the reasons I'm here. I fucking loved being a dad, all the adventures, kayaking, hiking, camping, exploring, laughing and dancing and just being goofy. Nothing like it!! But now that my son's passed, I find myself reflecting on how I'll spend my time. I've had a beautiful life and won't settle for anything less than intense and beautiful and raw going forward. I loved traveling in the military, always wanted to write and work around the world, but I've also always wanted to travel and rough it and live it with absolute freedom. Felt that tug my whole life, stronger when I read "On The Road" or watched "Into the Wild," etc. I ain't goin' to my grave with regrets. I wanna live and love life in the ways I want, and so that brings me here. Pretty sure after this summer, I'm putting what I wanna keep - mostly stuff connected to my son - in storage and leaving Vermont and head out, either hopping a train, hitching, most likely both, just explore, work when I find it and wanna settle and explore an area a bit, but just live, for however long as I want, with that freedom, especially while my body's still strong and healthy and active. Life is short, rules are constructs, and when you're free in your mind you can create your own reality, as long as you can live with it. So I've been doing some research, into dumpster-diving even, just seeing what I'll be getting into, and I came across this site. I'm eager to chat with some good folks, get some advice, pass along any I might have. So yeah, hello, y'all. Hope everyone's got some beautiful things going' on in life and that it outweighs the hard, heavy and painful stuff we experience and carry.
My heart goes out to you and your son. I can’t imagine going through that pain. I hope that you can take the journey that is needed to find peace within yourself. I’m sure that ever step of your adventure your son will be with you in spirit and enjoying any bits of joy you find along your path. Good luck to you and safe travels friend!
 

SammiePa

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2020
Messages
46
Reaction score
42
Location
Vermont
Website
www.stephenbartlettwriter.com
All the best to you! Yeah travel can be hella therapeutic my man...if you know Hobo Shoestring (he has a youtube channel) he lost his young boy to an accident at 3/4 years of age back in the 90's. It may not seem it at this point but the hurt will decrease with time. From what I read about your son, he was an absolute fighter! Got it from the father no doubt :)
Thanks for saying that, man, and for the encouragement! :)
 

SammiePa

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2020
Messages
46
Reaction score
42
Location
Vermont
Website
www.stephenbartlettwriter.com
My heart goes out to you and your son. I can’t imagine going through that pain. I hope that you can take the journey that is needed to find peace within yourself. I’m sure that ever step of your adventure your son will be with you in spirit and enjoying any bits of joy you find along your path. Good luck to you and safe travels friend!
I'm sure he'll be with me too :)
 

Crazy Hobo Johnny

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Messages
682
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867
Location
Milwaukee Wisconsin
Website
www.youtube.com
Welcome Aboard!!! Nice write up and thank you for your service!
For me being prior military, it was fun traveling all over the world! I wish you the best of luck!
 
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SammiePa

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2020
Messages
46
Reaction score
42
Location
Vermont
Website
www.stephenbartlettwriter.com
Welcome Aboard!!! Nice write up and thank you for your service!
For me being prior military, it was fun traveling all over the world! I wish you the best of luck!
Thanks, and thank you for your service! Was reading your about me section. Would love to read your book!
 
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Cloval

Member
Joined
May 19, 2019
Messages
14
Reaction score
30
Location
Northern, CA
Greetings! Sounds like you have lived through a lot, both good and bad. Some go through ordeals such as yourself, but never move forward, change the way they live or TRULY do what they want/should. That's OK though, everyone deals with hardship differently, so no judgement cast from me. Best wishes on the next chapter of your life and the new journeys that await.
 
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SammiePa

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2020
Messages
46
Reaction score
42
Location
Vermont
Website
www.stephenbartlettwriter.com
Greetings! Sounds like you have lived through a lot, both good and bad. Some go through ordeals such as yourself, but never move forward, change the way they live or TRULY do what they want/should. That's OK though, everyone deals with hardship differently, so no judgement cast from me. Best wishes on the next chapter of your life and the new journeys that await.
Thanks so much for your kind and encouraging words
 

Gibbyotrl

Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2020
Messages
15
Reaction score
18
Location
Arizona
Blessings to you new friend. I hold you and yours in the love and light that surrounds us all. Just don't be afraid to let it in. Your son only wishes you joy and happiness. Your experiences will be shared with him as you travel forward in life.
Put out what you want to the Universe and it will come to you. Own it, believe it and do it. I know you have the zest for success and the courage to take the steps.
Much love to you, safe travels
Gibby
 

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