My Big Red Balloon

Planning a camping trip reminds me of blowing up a big red balloon. The more you blow, the bigger it gets, all shiny and full of … hot air. 🎈

Let go of the balloon at this point and it shoots all over the room, exhaling air with a loud “Phuuuu!” and landing, limp and empty, on the floor.

Prick the shiny, full balloon carelessly with a misplaced needle and with a loud “Pop!”, it explodes in your hands, leaving you with naught but a bit of ragged red rubber for all your effort.

But, with a deft twist of your fingers and a gentle tug, you could have a big, beautiful, shiny red balloon that will last for days, bringing smiles and happiness.

Say, what? Where is this going?

Really though, isn’t this true? It is for me. When I first start planning an RV trip, it’s like beginning to blow up a party balloon – it fills my mind with anticipation and happy expectations. The more I expand my plan, the bigger my [virtual] balloon grows. Oh, so pretty!

If my plans fall through, for whatever reason, I can almost feel the air expelling from my balloon … “Phuuuu.” Disappointing, but hey, the balloon is still there. I can pick another date and try again.

Sometimes my plans are coming along like gangbusters, everything is looking bright and shiny, and then someone or something comes along and “Pop!” I find my careful, happy plans suddenly and unexpectedly laying in tatters at my feet. I really dislike sudden, abrupt “Pops!”.

But if I’m lucky, my plans might all come together; the weather cooperates, the pantry is full of yummy stuff, my spinning wheel is safely stashed and a happy dachshund is manning the navigator’s post … if all that happens, you might just see me careening joyfully down the highway, big shiny red [virtual] balloons dancing behind me on strings made of hand spun yarn tied to my bumper!