By the time you read this it will be February 7th and I won’t be in New Zealand anymore. Maybe I’ll be sleeping, or reading the new paperback I bought or doing everything in my power to drown out the cries of a small child 3 rows in front.
I’ll be on a plane home, to England, to attend the funeral of my Grandfather on my Mum’s side of the family who passed away last week.
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you might remember that this time last year, February 2012, I was doing the exact same thing. My Grandmother on my Dad’s side had passed away and I temporarily left my job, apartment and boyfriend in Sydney to spend 10 days with my family.
This time I’m in Auckland, minus the boyfriend, and I’m taking 10 days off work to fly home for what I know is going to be one of the most difficult days of my life.
My Gramps and I, we share the same birthday, except obviously last year he turned 91 and I turned 27. In every memory I have of my childhood he’s there; him and my Nana, who is still alive. He was, is, one of the most important people in my life.
My Mum tells me that he was so proud that I was seeing the world, that I am seeing the world, and that makes me happy. I love knowing that just like my parents, he didn’t think me settling down was the most important thing right now.
It doesn’t seem real yet. I know that is still to come. I’ve been here before. One of my parents will pick me up from London Heathrow and we’ll drive north-east for a couple of hours until I’m home. My sister will come by the house to see me. I will visit my Nana and my Grampy’s chair will be so, so empty.
If the last 6 months have taught me anything it’s that I’m so much stronger than I thought I was but nothing can prepare you for receiving bad news when you’re a 30 hour journey away from home.
I panicked, I cried, I stared into space until my flatmate came home and then I dropped everything to make sure I could say goodbye properly, one last time.
And so here I am, on a plane bound for England, hoping you’ll excuse the slight interlude in the usual travel/expat related stuff. Normal viewing will resume shortly……
I’m so very sorry for your loss. This is definitely my biggest, perhaps only, real fear when it come to extended amounts of travel.
Have a safe trip home. Take comfort in being surround by your family and be sure to take the opportunity to enjoy your time with them as the chance doesn’t come up often. And take comfort in knowing how proud of you he was of the life you lead
Omg Beverley! Im so sorry
when I saw the post on fb saying you we’re taking an unexpected flight, I feared the worst. I know when we hung out in Auckland you talked about how you hoped you’d be able to spend some time with him before heading to Thailand. I’m sooo incredibly sorry. Please give my condolences to your family. And please take care of yourself. If you need anything, I’m a quick msg away. Xoxoxo
Melissa – The Mellyboo Project recently posted..Meet a Lion Conservation Volunteer: Helene Margel
Oh, I’m so sorry for your loss, hun!
I can’t even imagine what it must be like to hear such bad news whilst on the other side of the world, let alone have to travel home over such a long distance to say goodbye to someone you dearly love.
I hope all goes well in the UK and you can at least embrace the fact that you will get to see your family, even if it is over such sad circumstances.
Rest in peace Beverley’s Grandpa! And safe travels Miss Beverley =) xox.
Nicole recently posted..Beijing, Your Air Pollution is Killing Me
i’m so sorry hun!!!
this must be awful. It’s good that you can come home to say goodbye though. thinking of you xxxxxxx have a safe flight x x
so sorry to read this hun i hope all goes well with the flight and the funeral. must be a hard one to make but at least you are doing it.
thinking of you hun x x x x x
sarah recently posted..You Are Remarkable…………..Alison Claire
Really sorry for your loss. These things are never easy to deal with (and I never come up with words I think are adequate), but it’s good that you’ll get to be with your family to say goodbye to him.
Amanda recently posted..Dear Dad: Please Don’t Worry (A Treatise on Solo Female Travel)
Very touching Beverley, I’m sorry for your loss. Losing a loved one is what I fear the most. I wish you the best at this difficult time and hope you find some solace in time spent with your family.
George recently posted..Top 5 Reasons Why I Love Being an ALT
Ahhh sweety I’m so sorry! It’s such a horrible, awful thing to lose someone you love, but just know he would be so proud of everything you’ve accomplished. All my love xx
Scarlett recently posted..Things That Creep Me Out: Part Two
sending many hugs your way <3
Megan recently posted..Witnessing a Renaissance in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
I’m sorry for your loss but I’m glad you’re able to be with your family <3
So sorry to hear about your loss. It’s never easy to deal with as an expat, but at least you’re able to go back to say your final goodbyes. Safe travels.
Edna recently posted..The 5 best things I ate in Paris: January
I meant to comment on this ages ago, but so sorry for your loss. I hope your trip home was nice (as nice it could be under these circumstances) and that you were able to properly say goodbye.
Amanda @ Farsickness recently posted..Street Eats: Night Markets in Taiwan