[Brodie]

I posted on this forum a year ago when I was a heartbroken Granny just about to lose my grandchildren to the other side of the world. We have filled the void with loads of phone calls and webcams - it's not the same as giving them a hug but we survived. When they left, I promised my grandson that I would go to NZ to see him at Easter this year. I kept my promise and was in NZ for the whole of April.

It was absolutely wonderful. I saw their house, their neighbourhood, their scholl, the surrounding countryside. I walked the beaches they walk, explored the forest that they explore. I met the new dog, met the neighbours, met the kids' teachers, met their friends.

I've felt very detached and remote for the past year but now I feel totally connected with their lives again. When the kids tell me what they've been up to, I can see it all in my minds eye. Our visit has made such a difference. And it wasn't just for us - it has made them feel closer too. They have a lot more to tell us, knowing that we'll now understand a bit better. Of course, leaving them again was very sad but I could smile through the tears this time, knowing that I can do the trip and will do it again in April 2008 (Yes, the plans for the next one are all made - I still need that date to hang on to!).

So here's where the advice comes in for all those left behind - start saving up immediately your family go or even earlier and get that first visit made quickly. It doesn't just shrink the distance between you for the period of the holiday, it shrinks the distance for ever. Superglue for the heart!!

[Jo Jo]

What a lovely, lovely post. Thank you so much - I am going to get my family to read this as I think it will really help them.

[Lupin]

Gorgeous post, thanks :) Lucky grandchildren you have to have such a devoted Granny :)

[zardell]

So here's where the advice comes in for all those left behind - start saving up immediately your family go or even earlier and get that first visit made quickly. It doesn't just shrink the distance between you for the period of the holiday, it shrinks the distance for ever. Superglue for the heart!!




Superglue for the heart - just about sums it up as far as I'm concerned.

A beautiful posting - well said.

Julie

xx

[The Hodges]

What a great post!

And such a difference to see it from 'family left behind' point of view.

The best of luck with further trips. I'm sure you are going to have a great time.

Clare

[marcia]

What a wonderful post, brought a tear to my eye. :)

I am going to send it to Kev's mum, who is adamant that she can't do the trip again (she came on our reccy trip and was very ill afterwards, she beleives it was all to do with the flight and the jet lag, we are trying to persuade her to give it another go!)

My own parents and sister are coming over in Jan and we are so looking forward to it! My mum has even given up smoking after 45+ years to be able to save more money for the trip - she is doing great!

Enjoy your next trip!

[jess]

What a great post. Very well said. :)

[nippa&pippa]

What a lovely post :nice1 Brought tear in the eyes as we had guilty moments of taking our children away from their grandparents but our children's lives is more important and now they are very happy in our new house we have moved in recently. My MIL have sent lovely cards for moving into new home this morning and she said that she can't wait....counting days that help her through so much during darkness periods in last 1 years after her husband's sudden death last may. She is coming to us in early october, and staying for 5/6months with us. We also already got her bedroom-cum-study organised for her!!! Unknown to both of us and MIL when she booked flight tickets, I got pregnant and baby is due two weeks before she arrive!! That make her more exciting because she know she is going to see and to be with newborn baby for first 6 month of the life. :clap

[Sam B]

Sob sob, I love your post. sob sob. sniff.

[swissmissdesigner]

My mother should read this great post!

[thezorbster]

Oh Brodie, you've set me off on the sniffles too! As someone soon to take a grandchild away it was lovely to read your post and to see how positive you now sound. I'm so glad you were involved in so much of your Grandchildren's lives on your visit. The one thing upsetting me is not knowing whether my Mum will ever make the trip but I'm so glad you can now picture your family in their new location. What a lovely, lovely post.

[Tia Maria]

Brodie, I agree with all the others - what a great post, your family is very lucky.

At the moment we have nanny staying and my 3 boys are loving it. The fact that nanny comes all the way from the UK, often bringing gifts just makes it even more special. Before she came they ran round telling everyone 'how many more sleeps till nanny arrived' and they have been constantly excited since she landed! :)

They love showing her how much more they can do than last year and they also like teaching her about New Zealand - important facts such as "there aren't many bears in New Zealnd as they are not very good at swimming and aren't allowed on planes".

Obviously I would love for her to live just round the corner, but the 'big visit' is the next best thing! :nice1

Cheers

Tia

[Brodie]

Oh my - I've done it again. Made people cry again I mean - so sorry!

Just for the couple people who said their families felt they couldn't make the trip - I thought we won't be able to do it either. My husband was very ill with Lyme Disease until just 18 months ago and it has left hime with severe knee pain. As you can imagine, we were really worried about how he would be after 24 hours on a plane. But he managed it better than he ever thought he would. To add to that, we are both afraid of flying. The last time either of us was on a plane was over 20 years ago! So if we can do it, anyone can!!!!

A little story to stop all those tears. I talked about being part of their lives again in my last post - well that can have it's drawbacks! Our phone rang at 5.00 this morning. It was my 10 year old grandson phoning from Auckland to say and I quote "Congratulations Granny, you're now a great-granny to triplets". Now as you can imagine, being woken up with this news at that hour was a bit startling, especially since he is the eldest in the family!

It took me at least 5 minutes to finally understand that the guinea pig I bought for them when we were out had (as we suspected) been an expectant Mum and that she had given birth to 3 bouncing babies while they were at school. Grandson reckons the babies technically belong to me so is working out a strategy for transporting guinea pigs from NZ to Scotland!

[nippa&pippa]

Grandson reckons the babies technically belong to me so is working out a strategy for transporting guinea pigs from NZ to Scotland!

:laugh :laugh bless him! that is kids for you!

[swissmissdesigner]

That is so cute story!