When your loved ones live far away…

My granddaughter left to go back to Melbourne this morning. Those last minutes are painful.  Trying to summon up a smile and speak despite the huge lump in my throat.

The house can remain as it is until tomorrow. All those little reminders that she has been here. A little pot of cream abandoned along with the crossword partly finished.

One of our usual pursuits when she’s home but no time to finish this morning.

Her favourite mini quiche and bread rolls baked fresh for breakfast and some packed in her luggage. Her bed linen  in the washing machine.

Maggie our little dog seems to know she’s gone and not just popped down to the shops.I feel happy  that she has an interesting and industrious life but feel sad but that will pass.

Time for me to write again… snail mail as she likes to keep the letters I send

Emily arrived safely. Her Honda Accord one of the first off the Spirit of Tasmania

Now for me to settle back into my usual life. Taking Maggie for our usual 5.45am walk. Not in the silence that’s necessary when someone’s still in bed but with all the endearments I say to her and her little yips in response.Back for my sudsy bath. Again no need to tip toe about.

Coffee and toast to break my fast and the Mercury and Herald Sun to absorb and find subjects for the verse I like to turn them into. A ritual now. TV back up to the late 30’s early 40’s instead of the 21 that’s necessary to protect other more delicate ears.

No need for the text or the hearing aids that have been necessary for the past fortnight. The aids languish in their  pouch until I’m again in need of them. The house looks somewhat bare without all the accoutrements necessary for the young.to look so beautiful.

No dusting today. Any visitor will be told the Domestic Goddess hasn’t quite got her energy back yet, even the house proud ones may nod approvingly at my tardiness. I’ve had a big fortnight.

It might seem that Emily is my only grand child. No, I have five . Zane (32) has been married to Sally for six years. His sister Lucy (27) has been married to Alex for three years.

No children as yet! Then there’s Stuart (27) with his partner Alana and finally Sam (19). All of them are so special to me. The difference is no one comes to stay as they all live in Hobart. Emily’s boy friend works in Canberra… He’s loved just as much as my family is and Alana too.

Will they be happy? I’ve talked about them in the public arena? Probably not but they may not know because we don’t share computer confidences. My three children are all worthy hard working people but I choose not to to write about them as the 50’s feature in all their ages and it might upset them. There would be lots of “Mum what are you doing?” I’m sure…

So until Emily comes to stay again the house will be very quiet early morning (one daughter comes up for breakfast each morning on her way to work) and in the evening when Maggie curls up next to me on the settee and doesn’t mind if the TV is a little bit loud.

I look  forward to hearing from Emily often and know that her next visit, if not imminent, will soon be in the planning stage and I will welcome her  home again with so much love.

Do you live far away from your family? How often do you get to see them? Do they visit regularly? Tell us in the comments below…