I am struggling with a lot of thoughts that are all wrapped up with one another these days. Recently, my brother Mike made the decision to change jobs, a career move that is taking both him and his family from Oakville to Chicago, Illinois. I worry about staying in touch with them; I probably haven’t done a very good job of that with them practically right in my backyard, and I’m feeling some guilt about not making time to keep up with lots of other folks right now. There are many I’d like to catch up with: my favourite Taiwanese correspondent, my fellow Heroes, a number of folks from both law school and undergraduate, my fishing buddies, and some of the folk from my pub-going days too. I think those two thoughts are related in that I am wanting to absolve myself of the guilt I’m feeling about not keeping up with friends and thus re-assure myself that I won’t make the same mistake with my brother. Stack on top of that uncertainty about the global financial situation and a big brother’s natural fears about how that will affect his little brother’s plans to cross the border and work in a foreign financial sector, and some unsettling news about the nutbar schemes of a couple of complete arseholes with an apparent easy comfort with evil, all of which gets my protective instincts going.
I am firmly, as the Brits say, at sixes and sevens.
I wanted to spend a little time posting something light and funny tonight, but I think I’ll just tune in to the Leafs/Lightning game and try to settle my brain down by watching a little Stamkos vs. Schenn.
My dear son, once again I sit, at the screen, trying to calm your thoughts, and add some wisdom, (though short on that), about friends, and family. I look back to your paternal grandfather. At the age of fifteen, leaving his family, in Scotland, crossing the ocean, and landing in his new world. You know how many times he saw his siblings, or his mother. That “wee immigrant lad”, never forgot his roots. Making and loving the life he made in his new world.
We all are like birds; once out of the nest, the flight is to the next yard or further afield. The differance between us and our feather friends–we do have the ability to stay in touch. My three computer “geeks”, and their tag-along parents are just a skype or an e-address away.
True family, unlike the birds, are thought about daily, whether around the corner, or a country away. That goes for the one who flies the furthest, as well as the one that flies to the next yard. Out of sight, but never out of mind. Also true for friends, as well as family. The thing you must remeber about you younger brother, he is not alone and is ready to embark into his new world. Mom
P.S. He bought a big enough house so we can all go and stay with them,—–go to a game, see Opray, shop, eat their food.
Wow. Whoever invented Moms is the best.
Aren’t they though. —- sniff