I often think how lucky I am to have my daughter so close. In light of the recent atrocities in the world, even more so. I see my daughter several times a week. She often stays the night, comes for meals or sometimes we just go shopping. If she stays the night because she’s working locally it gives me such pleasure to run her a bubble bath, light candles and make some supper. It’s a golden time. A making of memories of warmth and comfort and just mum and daughter spending time together no matter what our age. A reminder of all the years together as we both grew up. All the little and big ups and downs we got through together. On lazy mornings I sometimes get in the big bed with her and we have sweet milky coffee and chat about everything and nothing whilst we give the snoozing dogs belly rubs. Warm and cosy, just like it was when she was little and I did the same before we had to get up for school and work. Five minutes of precious snuggle time. She is still my little girl and the most important person in my life.
I can’t wait to move to another country though. Somewhere warm and good for the health like Florida where Joe was taking Rizzo in Midnight Cowboy. Or beautiful Venice where Thoman Mann’s austere main character gave way to fantasy and love before succumbing to a cholera epidemic in Death in Venice.
I josh…I’m taking the fucking piss. I’ve visited these countries more than once and though I adored them both I wouldn’t want to live there. Ever. because place isn’t important. Family is.
I wonder often about my sister and her need to live in Poland. Look at my view. Look at my view. A country that nourishes her soul so much that she can leave behind three children and now a grandchild too. See them three times a year at most.
But she has a very enriching job, good social life, fabulous home and fantastic husband there.
Oh wait.. I just made all that up too. All the stuff that she has in Poland that is. The kids and grandkid though. They are real.
They must wonder often how their mum is and what she’s doing. Wish they could drop in and have a mum chat and a reassuring cuddle. Just turn up when they’ve had a bad day or worse. Have her give them a hug and make some proper mum food. Give them the love they still deserve.