Auw, that hurts

 ( Snapchat messsage) "Oma, oma Archie crushed his finger in the car door"!

"Oh dear. That must REALLY hurt."

"How bad is it?"

"Well, they took x-rays and it isn't broken.

It is very badly crushed though and needs to go in a split and taped up!"

"Gosh, how is he? Is he very upset and in a lot of pain?"

"He is being a real hero oma."

"Good man."

- "Hi mum, yes his thumb actually not finger. It is really bruised and looks painful. Gave him painkillers. Hope he manages to sleep through. Just got him settled for the night - I hope!"

It are moments like these I just want to hop in the car  and go give my children both big and small a hug and comfort.

I know distance is all relevant. It could be Napier - Auckland, or Amsterdam - Limburg! All difficult in their own way.

Distance- how near or how far.

I have to say I am also not a 'please live around the corner' person. Think that as children grow up they can flap their wings and soar to their own great heights - only our wings have spread and the distance is difficult to overcome on a regular and short term basis.

My grandson is nursing his hand- cared for by his siblings and parents- and that's fine- I will send a card. As he is a Mr Bean fan- I have posted a Mr Bean get well on his mum's phone. I just know that will have brought a smile to his lips.

Hope the thumb doesn't take too long to heal Archie. Airy Fairy Butterfly get well kisses from oma.

Time out- busy busy busy!

Omaverweg hasn't been very active in writing in her (this) blog.

It isn't because she has run out of things to write about- but 'life' got really hectic these past weeks.
And isn't that the nature of things- in the real world.

Even when living close, oma visits and 'together stuff' doesn't happen every day. Except maybe for those oma's who live next door- down the street or have 'look after' days all sorted.

What I do get and send are the Snapchats to my (old enough to send to and get from) grandchildren.

While out on a drive through the countryside I send pictures and even short video clips of the meadows, the windmills and farm buildings. That way I feel they are along for the ride and seeing the sights I am seeing too.

I was chatting with a friend yesterday- 5 grandchildren live close- and 4 at a distance. They come and go and visit often. She also looks after them when necessary. The stories and experiences she shares with me - do tug at my heart strings - on the other hand - I feel grateful she DOES share and I get a 'look in' on her time with the kiddies. When a grandchild is on the way I am kept in the loop with developments and receive the happy news as soon as the happy event has happened. That way I too share in her joy as she does in mine.

Others have the urge to 'protect' me from feeling sad. So they avoid these wee stories to try not to make me feel bad about being so far away. I then miss out on their growth and development- by not hearing about the adventures. It is like a sword- cuts both ways.

I thank my lucky stars I have WhatsApp, FaceTime, Skype, E-mail, Messenger and Snapchat to mention a few option, available to me to keep my communication channels open and am able to stay 'close-by'.

What once was a life long separation has now become a way of life for millions of people who travel the world, resettle elsewhere and start their lives anew. Whether of their choosing or a decision based on survival.

Oma's ver weg - we ROCK! We aren't a rare species but a common factor in todays world.