Changing seasons - Up North and Down Under

 

Another change in season is upon us. Here, in Europe, spring is beckoning. Winter isn't ready to let go. Like me, farewelling someone or a place I feel at home in can be hard. Dawdling, looking back. Finding ways to prolong the inevitable. Winter will eventually leave us and go find it's purpose elsewhere.

In New Zealand the first signs of Autumn have appeared. Schools are back in full swing after a long hot summer. The evenings are lengthening. A quick dip in the backyard swimming pool will soon just be a memory. Keen to recapture that later in the year when the cycle repeats itself.

The changes in weather also bring changes in behaviour. In availability between me and my loved ones. They are home more, inside. Soon too, the clocks will alter to winter/summer time schedules, like we have been doing for many years. Right now, I have a 12 hour time difference with New Zealand and 10 with Australia. They charge on ahead of us here in Europe. At the end of this month, things will change. And somehow, even though the calculations are easier now, the timing with the change is better. I am looking forward to a few more better planned video contact moments.

Truth be told, I'd rather join them personally. It has been too long since I hugged and saw my family. But alas, we mustn't dwell on what isn't but be thankful of what is. During a recent video moment I promised the children I'd create a 'homework' project for them. The youngest ones that is. The older grandchildren have their high school studies all set out for them,. The primary level children have different schedules and interests for now. So today I am going to get the package sorted and mailed. I'm excited to be able to share my teaching skills in an oma sort of way.

I am so proud of all my grandchildren. Adults, almost adults, almost teens and young people. I have all ages in my 'care' as oma. I love them all with all my heart and appreciate each talent and personality. So diverse and a delight. I know I chose to be an 'oma far away', and never have imagined the emotions, the heartbreak ( at times) and missing you would be. I try to be as much an oma as I can and resign myself ( with difficulty) to all that I can't be. 

On that cheerful note: Sorry mustn't get maudlin, I'm off to be creative for some gorgeous people.

Want some visuals of OmaFarAway. Go to OmaFarAway on YouTube.

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.

Contact houden

Een van de grootste aanpassingen eenmaal gesetteld in Nieuw Zeeland, was het wennen aan het gebrek van familiebezoekjes en visite op zondagen en verjaardagen.

Via de kerk leerde we wel snel wat andere Nederlanders kennen. Dan kreeg je wel appeltaart en thee in kleine kopjes. Hingen er slingers aan het plafond en werden er herkenbare liedjes gezongen en taal gesproken. Het spel Mens erger je niet, lag op tafel!

Nu moet je toch even stapje terug in de tijd - dit was in de jaren '60. Er is veel veranderd.

Tegenwoordig komen oma's ( en opa's) op bezoek via een webcam. Met een tijdsverschil moet je some je slaapuren even omzetten in nachturen.

Een aantal van mijn kleinkinderen zijn al bekend met Skype en Facetime... sms berichten sturen en toen ze klein waren - drukte ze wel eens op de knop op de telefoon, op een niet al te geweldige tijdstip, en had je opeens een klein  stemmetje aan de telefoon. Ik kan hartelijk lachen om die reclame waar die twee kleine hummels met opa praten met gebruik van de iPad.

Toch hadden die lichtblauwe luchtpostvelletjes ook wat.

Om de week kwam er een van oma. Met haar bibberende handschrift en elke centimeter gebruikt. Ook aan de buitenkant. Om te beantwoorden mochten wij ook een stukje schrijven. Dat vond ik geweldig.

Ik heb er nog eentje- een blauw helemaal volgeschreven velletje. Haar laatste. Een papiertje van onschatbare waarde, voor mij dan.

Ik heb het niet over gewone velletjes papier in een envelop maar een langwerpig velletje die je in 3-en vouwde en de randjes omvouwen moest en vastplakken. Geweldig. Bij het opensnijden ging het wel eens fout, dan had je een los stukje die voorzichtig bewaard werd. Die breiven werden meerdere keren gelezen.

Nu krijg ik post- en ik bewaar dat, plak het op een prikbord, heb het op mn bureau. Alles om de kleintjes dichtbij te hebben. Ach ja, net wat ik zeg, het is allemaal even aanpassen en wennen.

Het is niet anders!