Yep, that’s right, in just over a week I will touching down on the motherland. South Africa. For those who know me, they will know that this trip is bittersweet. Although I love going home to see my family and friends, it’s absolutely gut wrenching to get back on that plane and say goodbye. It’s a country filled with both sad and wonderful memories for me and it never fails to be an emotional rollercoaster. The last time we went home was well over 6 years ago. That’s an awful long time to go without the familiarity and strength of family. But it’s a choice we made in order to settle in the UK (going back and forth was proving way to unsettling). And now here we are, in a new country with the knowledge that this is almost certainly our permanent home. Very far away from everything we know and love. And we are shit scared that the trip back home will throw it all up in the air for us.
It was that scary car crash over Easter that made me pull myself towards myself and see the trip for what it was. An opportunity. A chance to reconnect with family, to revel in the beauty of our home country, to laugh with friends, to gorge on our favourite foods, to relax at home with those we love, to celebrate their lives (my grandmother turns 80 and Jordan’s mom turns 50 while we are home). So what started out as a reluctant trip, has turned into a total fit of excitement for me. If we are being honest here, my bag is already packed and waiting by the front door.
Best wishes for you on this trip. Living away from my own parents, I know how difficult it can be to go back and forth.....
ReplyDeleteJust breathe and take it all in ..... life is a journey and this is yours. Have a great weekend friend.
ReplyDeletegoing home can be such a difficult thing to do. I'm with you on that. but yes, see it as an opportunity. it might be exactly what you need right now. you'll be fine xoxo
ReplyDeleteAlthough much nearer physically, I haven't been "home" in 10 years. Lots of reasons, mostly sad and painfully ones. A couple summers ago we skirted the area where I grew up, driving through a landscape so familiar, that I wept for the whole drive. So honey, I get it. Bittersweet isn't a word big enough to contain it all. (Although selfishly, I can't wait to see the photos you send back!)
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Those photos just took my breath away - stunning! Six years is indeed a long time to be away from home, family and close friends. No wonder you are excited.
ReplyDeletehttp://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/
These pictures are stunning! I hope you do enjoy your trip back home!
ReplyDeleteLaura | Breton & Blush
Oh I hope you have a wonderful trip home... home is definitely where the heart is and that ebullient feeling you get when you arrive, I hope it stays with you for a long time
ReplyDeletei know i am late with my comment but i hope your trip is going well (or went well if you're back). going back to certain places can be so tough - so much joy, so much pain sometimes too. it truly is bittersweet. it's tough to go, it's tough to leave. thinking of you, and hoping the trip is filled with making new, wonderful memories.
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