I miss my family

When my mother turned 80 (1993) I resolved to visit her in England every year. I just about kept that resolution, except that when she died in 2002 I had not seen her for eighteen months.

Twelve years on I realize how much I miss my family.

Of course I saw many of them in 2009 and that was good. But I did not travel to England for five years after that.

This year (2014) saw me in England again (for my 70th birthday).  I was able to visit with each of my eight siblings, with six of their spouses, with thirteen of my nineteen nieces and nephews, and with twelve  of my great-nieces and nephews. (I love being a great uncle!)

I love them all, but by grace and by happenstance I talk most often with my kid brother Martyn (a kid brother aged 60!), and with my fabulous big sister Maureen  (who was 77 last Sunday).

Dammit, I forgot her birthday!   I made up for this by calling her today. We had a sweet, loving, prayerful and gracious conversation.

When I hung up I got a bit melancholy and  my heart began to ache with the realization of how much I miss my family.

My phantasy is of returning to England after thirty eight years of good life in these United States.

It's a lovely but unrealistic phantasy.

1,  I would have to default, and walk way from my mortgage which is under-water,

2. My pension and social security (good as they are) would be insufficient to enable me to buy/rent an apartment in the U.K., get a car, and live from day to day.

3. What would I do with my good cats Ada and Adelaide, and my best friend and darling dog Penne?

4.  Once in England I would be sure to deeply  miss the scores of good friends I have made in the U.S.A.

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Mine is a lovely but unrealistic phantasy.  It is deeply rooted in my love for my sibs. and their progeny.

I am grateful to God for this:   I was able to visit with each of my eight siblings, with six of their spouses, with thirteen of my nineteen nieces and nephews, and with twelve  of my great-nieces and nephews. (I love being a great uncle!)

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And there is always "next year".

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