I'm the only one of my family members for thousands of kilometres...they're spread far and wide and, in Australia, far mean far! I don't get to spend much time with them, especially my brother @tarazkp who lives in Finland (which is not in Australia in case you're wondering) and I miss them a lot - I feel isolated. I've heard people say they think it's a good thing to be separated from one's family, I guess because, as we all know, sometimes they clash, but for me I'd like to have them a little closer.
I've just spent a couple weeks with the little dude in the image - it's my nephew, Mr. Bonkers, and we had an amazing time together.
It's difficult to put the feelings into words, maybe you'll understand if you're a parent or even an uncle or aunt yourself - there's a bond, a connection, that makes spending time together something very special whether it's doing a cool and fun activity, or just sitting around talking. It's a special time and, whilst my nephew was here, I felt a little like what a parent must feel for their child.
I knew it would be difficult for me when he went home, and for him also, and it was.
We've video-chatted twice since he went home and it's been fun, a nice way to extend the enjoyment, but it's not the same. The lad is only four and despite being smart, doesn't understand the concept of distance all that well I guess. He wants to come back; I want him back too, but it's not possible of course.
His mum told me he's been crying at night because he misses me. That made me very sad; I should say sadder because I already miss him so much and knowing he's so upset made me more upset. We have to cowboy-up though, there's four thousand kilometres between him and I and with my work and personal commitments I just can't fly around so easily right now.
I'm planning to head up to the tropics of Australia, Far North Queensland, where they live in winter, the best time to be in that hot and humid environment, and I'll see my nephew then but it's not set in stone, my visit, and until it is I'll not count on it happening; I'm working towards it though, to make the time available amongst all my other commitments.
I wrote to my sister in-law the other day, a text, and told her how sad I've been and said I feel like I've lost the closest thing to a son I'll ever have and that I really miss him so much. She promised to do more videos and send more photos after that which I appreciated, a few have come through and they always put a smile on my face.
I can be very stoic by nature, it's served me well, but when it comes to that little kid, and my niece in Finland, @smallsteps, I am a bit of a softie. They mean a great deal to me and despite not being able to show them very often it's a very strong emotion that I carry all the time. Not a day goes by in which I don't think of them, miss them and want to give them a big uncle hug.
I'm sad tonight; there's many reasons which I'll not mention, but not having this little dude here, not being able to hug my niece and tell her how important she is to me, makes it worse. But...the thing is that they know I care, I tell them when we speak, every time, and that they would run up and hug me if they could and the happiness they bring me stays with me no matter what I do or where I go. Having them in my life, even from a distance, makes me a very happy man.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default; tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind - galenkp
Any images in this post are my own
Mr Bonkers is too freaking cute. I can't even.
He really is. Also, he is such a lovely little kid...I can't even explain it. I'll be honest and say, I often wonder if he is what my own son would have been like should I have had one. It makes me very sad, but I feel happy to have him.
Ah, so sadly sweet. It must be special to know how much he also misses you, and yet there is still that absence. Sometimes it is not so wonderful that the world has become so small that we can travel to such wonderful destinations.....because, truly, it is not in actuality that small that you can just pop over to visit those that you so long to be with
That's a good point actually. the phrase, it's a small world, works in some instances, but in others not so much. It's also a very complicated world, hectic, and that can bring responsibilities that mean, even in this small world, people can't simply be where they want to be, when they want to be.
Galen the family are moments, unforgettable experiences, and beautiful memories, I call it a "skin to skin" that affectionate contact that is felt in the soul and never remains in oblivion. I know how you feel, the same happens to me with mine scattered around the world.
Receive a big hug with all my respect in the distance.
Yeah, nothing quite like the feeling of a hug from a loved one. I miss it.
Family is everything! We should cherish every moment. The miracle of technological advance is that with a video even for a moment you can feel a loved one closer.
Yeah, thankfully we have video chats whi h help to spam the distance.
I'm sorry to hear you're sad man, I'm close to you for what it's worth.
I'm an uncle and I know what it's like to be away from nieces and nephews, my wife and I have no kids and our nieces and nephews are the closest thing to kids you can get.
I don't know who says that staying away from the family, I know that when I get closer to my family I feel better being able to see him whenever I want I don't think I would change it for anything.
Sending you a hug, thanks for sharing 🤗
I guess I miss the company of someone who thinks I the best thing that ever lived, except for Lego. Lol.
Seriously though, he made me happy, the way he was so open and honest with his feelings, thoughts and words...it's difficult to explain.
I'm also sad because I had to go back to work. 😭
Mmmm bad story the return to work.
But what should we do, she touches like this for now 😉
Yeah, when I become a gazillionaire I'll give up my job, until then...I'm a slave. 🤣
Well know that you're in company eh eh!
I have two sons and nephews too and I understand when you say that you feel sad. In short a child fills us with that joy and love that many times we do not know how to describe with words , but with facts. I hope you are well
I have no children of my own so for me it's all about my niece and nephew; I guess that's why I miss them so much.
... How's Cleo? Does your nephew like Cleo, and does Cleo like him?
There was mutual love and tenderness, both are easy to like, so both liked each other.
I always consider the effects of nature and nurture on kids' reactions to things, especially animals... and vice versa.
I have no doubt that your little nephew is a great kid by nature, but even more by what he feels from his family, including you. I'm sure he thinks of you as the best uncle :)
Thanks @steemflow, you're a scholar and a gentleman.