I remember when my mom came to visit. We had been living in Toronto for a number of years and had already returned to South Africa for a holiday. My mom wanted to see where we were living and the environment we had moved into. She wished to experience a little the life that we were leading.
She arrived during the Fall in mid-August. We went to fetch her from the airport and it was a wonderful sight to see her walk through the sliding doors. She looked tired from the trip but she still had a little more to travel: the trains and buses that we took to get to and from the airport. Settling her in our home was a pleasure and we spoilt her a little with some Canadian tastes for a meal.
Throughout her trip I got her things to taste – some she liked and others she did not. Using the day pass during the weekends, I took her to museums (sometimes with the company of my girls, other times not). While I was working, she enjoyed walking around our neighbourhood visiting the shops and exploring the streets. On the day she left, I took her to experience the Santa Parade. How lucky she was to see it on a warm, balmy day: no hats and heavy coats were needed. After the parade, we went home to eat the lunch my husband had prepared. After our meal, we all took her to the airport (by public transport) to catch her plane ad to say goodbye.
I loved having my mom visit, and enjoyed the time spent with her. And my mom? She enjoyed seeing where I was was living. Now when I speak to her of the school or the supermarkets, she can see the place in her mind’s eye and feel more connected to the conversation.
If you have missed any of my Migrating North posts, head on over here.
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2014
(This post was written for the FMF 31 day challenge hosted by Kate Motaung. Today’s prompt is: visit)
I think that being able to picture where your family lives is a huge part of being able to feel connected when they move away. When my grandsons call and say they are in the family room or sitting at the computer, If they say they went to a certain restaurant or something happened at school or they played soccer at this or that field, I know exactly where they are. I don’t like that my family live so far away and in so many different directions, but having visited each I am able to feel more connected to them.
It’s wonderful your mother was able to come and have such a nice visit.
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Thank you for sharing a little your experience of being separated from your family. I know it has helped my mom a little to know a bit of how we are living and what our current surroundings are – just like I can see hers in my mind’s eye.
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Thank you for sharing such a wonderful series of part of your life journey, Colline.
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It is good to know that you have enjoyed reading it Amy.
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Must have been wonderful just to have your mum there. Has she been again? Is there anything that she loved that you can take with you when you go to visit her?
When we arrived in Denmark we had a video camera, so we videoed a lot of stuff, where we lived, the apartment, around Copenhagen, so my mum had an idea of where we were, and of course, video of Briony as she was just a baby at the time.
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Unfortunately she has not been able to come again. Every we go visit, though, we take back some of the tastes she enjoyed: dried cranberries, Tim Hortons hot chocolate, some of the salad dressings, and the coffee 🙂
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It does make such a difference when you can picture a loved one in their new home, when you’ve sat at their table and walked through their neighbourhood. Thanks for sharing this.
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Glad you enjoyed reading it Juliet. And thank you for the comment 🙂
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Wonderful for you and your mother Both of you know now what you are talking about when calling each other. My mother passed away in 2006 a year after my son left SA for good. I had the opportunity to visit him and could show photos to my mother. She also told me to try to move to NZ if I could. She supported me to do it.
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My mom has also been very supportive of my move. Even now as she sees the difficulties my sisters’ children are experiencing.
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I know, I also totally supported my son when he had the opportunity to move out. He never looked back and also did not go back for a visit!
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There is no need to as you are with him 🙂
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Not anymore! It took 4 years to move to NZ.
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Well worth he wait I am sure.
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😀
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How good that your mom was able to come for a visit! Began reading your posts on ‘migrating north’ only the other day. Not always an easy write for you, I am sure. But thanks for sharing.
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Thank yoou Kris. The days now are easier though there are still times when I long to be where I was born (especially when I feel the desire to spend time with my mom).
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A beautiful story of your mums visit Colline.
It makes it easier for conversations knowing your mother can identify with the conversation.
You really did give your mother a pleasant visit, one she will cherish.
Regards
Ian
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She has said that she enjoyed the time spent here and having a chance to see how people in another city live.
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A nice memory to share. How special that your mom was able to stay long enough to get a real feel for your neighbourhood and your family’s life within it.
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We enjoyed every minute of her 6 week stay 🙂
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My parents came to visit soon after we moved to South Africa. They liked it so much, that when they went back to England, they arranged to emigrate themselves. That was about 40 years ago, and things have changed a lot since then.
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They have. My parents were immigrants to the country too, not realising that the safety of its citizens might become an issue.
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Hard for your mum to be all that distance from her grandchildren, (and for you!) but being able to picture where you live is nice. 🙂
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It is. And I am always grateful for Skype 🙂
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Greetings Colline, I am running out of time tonight, but want to circle back to the beginning, from day one, and read this. You are a brave woman to move from Africa to Canada. As though jumping the ocean isn’t challenging enough, to go from warm (I assume) to cold? I’m sure there will be a lot to learn in reading all 31 sections of this post. I will be back soon. 😉
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Thank you. I hope you enjoy the read. It was quite challenging for us – and as you say, one of the challenges was to adapt to the cold 🙂
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