I find it harder to speak feelings than to write them, I felt this way all weekend, choked up a little by my inability to vocalise words.
Our weekend was beautiful; we spent it in the leafy luxury of Herefordshire staying in a stunning barn called Serafina. Myself, my two best friends and our families. Seven children ranging in age from seven years to 3 months and five adults. There was a lot of laughing, a fair bit of tantrum throwing, a mild spot of sulking, minutes were passed playing monopoly and swinging from tree tyres and the evenings were spent swimming in gin.
A slight shadow of sadness sat behind the sunshine of the weekend. One of my best friends is due to board a plane to live in Australia shortly, taking her beautiful baby boy (my godson) to an exciting new life for two years.
We don’t talk as often as we’d like and streams of children that have come along through the years has meant meeting up has become less and less frequent. But I love these women like my sisters and Australia is a long way away.
We didn’t do anything spectacular, the weekend passed by in a happy blur, ending with a soaking of sunshine.
Serafina offers a fantastic place to escape with the kids, completely childsafe and open plan so the kids could roam wild whilst the grown ups cooked, talked and drank copious cups of tea. We have not been ‘sponsored’ to write about our weekend break but it was such a delicious experience that I would highly recommend others spend time there.
On our final day we battled through the claustrophobia of a maze, and swooned at the sight of the sunken garden with the backdrop of a castle behind us. We sat with the rare rays of sun on our faces and watched the younger ones play together as a group for the last time in a while…
The children played well together, (for the most part,) and BB adored talking to the ‘babies’ and showed no signs of jealously that a beautiful 15 month old toddler could run rings around her while she stayed firmly perched on the floor.
Then it ended and real life forced its return upon us. Tears sprung to my eyes as I kissed my godson goodbye thinking the next time he graced my arms he would be a taller talking three-year old.
And then to my friend, with whom I share a decade of memories; how can you say goodbye for two years?
Can a hug convey that much. Even the written word cannot convey how much I will miss her.
A marvellous weekend; simply over too soon.
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Awww man you’ve made me cry now, And I was being so good! Lovely words and great weekend, will miss you loads but I will be back!
you had better be xxxx
Oh and xxxxxx 🙂
back at ya x
Aah my best friend from 6th form moved to Oz 12 years ago. I sill can’t quite accept it’s a permanent move & still miss her.. I’m not sure i get it either. I mean what can the sunny, warm coast of Perth offer over Lancashire?! What about the green hills & rainy days? And the tea… Yes the tea. Bet you can’t get a decent cuppa over there… She’ll be back!
she is tea mad! to be fair she may import it over
Trust me hun, the time will fly and with Skype and everything else, you really won’t be too far away. x
hmmm thanks xxxx
xxxxxxxx
we can have meet ups heidi!
That sounds wonderful, a much deserved break. From an expat who lives thousands of miles away from her family – I know how hard it is to be separated from friends, especially when they have little kids – but Skype is a lifesaver, and my girls have a relationship with my parents that they wouldn’t otherwise have, and I feel like I can sit down and have a natter with my Mum whenever I want. For an expat is doesn’t get much better than that.
Aw thanks alison, x
The solution is simple – you’ll have to win the lottery and go out and visit them. In the meantime, you can hang out with me instead. x
ok x
I’ll be yer friend while she’s gone – just while she’s gone thought. Is that helpful?
just while she has gone….?
You can’t beat close female friends!
exactly
How lovely. I am sure you will keep in touch and that will help during the time away from each other. Lots of hugs x
Thanks K x
I hope your beloved friend is a letter-writer. A couple of big relocations in the last three years have shorn me of some of my closest friends (a couple of them in Herefordshire which, may as well be in Oz for the frequency which I can get back there). But I correspond with several of them by letter and it’s amazing how much more intimately you get to know someone by their writing than by casual small talk. They write things they might never speak of and I love the days when a handwritten envelope arrives on my doormat. And I love replying because it gives me an hour of intense communion with them while I witter in fine ink!
She emails!?!
I do love a handwritten letter though x
Agree with skype, facebook etc it is easier than ever to keep up with far away friends – sounds like you had a great weekend!
Thanks Lorraine x
what a lovely post, how nice to spend a wonderful weekend with your friends, with the great internet miles apart from family and friends aren’t as far x
so it seems am feeling much better
Best friends are the family we choose ourselves. Hugs x
wise words
I know how you’re feeling one of my good friends live in Sydney and has residency now and is unlikely to return. If I win the lotto I’ll shout you a trip to Oz. Sx
Aw thanks S x