We received a packet in the mail a few days ago and inside was a tiny pair of shoes that I recognised as belonging to our little grandson, Fox. With the shoes was a little note:
"Dear Grossvati and Grandma, I hope you like my first shoes as a gift to remember how small I was when we left for America. Come and visit me soon in LA. Love Fox!"
I remember them from when he visited us last year from Sydney.
I hope you will still reach out for me next time we meet. I love you Fox.
His mum and dad are taking him to LA to live for a while. (I hope a short while)
The last time we cuddled him was in December, in Rye, Vic. where his mum and dad were married.
Aunty Carol and Uncle David were very sad to say goodbye to Fox in Sydney last week as he and his parents left for for Melbourne before continuing to LA. (They are still waiting for the final documentation needed to go to USA for work.)
So now the little shoes sit next to an old photo of his mummy on the dressing table in the back room where we still have his cot for when he visits us. I hope he hasn't grown too big for it before he visits us again.
Just as we were rejoicing having both our daughters back in Australia, one leaves again taking our precious grandson with her. Oh well I guess that is payback time as we did it to our parents too.We can count on our fingers the number of times Bill's parents in Switzerland saw their only grand children.
I must put away the tissues and get ready to go out and celebrate with Birthday Bear.
Oh Diane....that's life, especially these days, as we all know, but still it must be a real heartache for you. I'm sure a trip to LA will be on the cards soon though. But even when kids stay in the same country, you don't necessarily see them that often in my experience! All so busy!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, nostalgic post, Diane. Your pride, joy and sadness come through so eloquently and the pictures you've selected to illustrate are beautiful. I hope it won't be too long before you are able to get together again.
ReplyDeleteThose little shoes are precious and the note was so sweet. Sorry you are missing Fox and his parents but it is a good excuse to come back to the US for a visit.
ReplyDeleteBirthday Bear will be celebrating?
Oh you've made me feel sad ... but distances are nowhere near as far as they were back then. I am sure you will see him again soon and with Skype you can see and talk on video.
ReplyDeleteOh this is so precious, Diane. Somehow I missed the news of them returning to the US. Can you bronze those little shoes? So many of us live apart from our grands. Hope you get to visit them soon. I loved the note, and knowing you, this will be preserved! Have a loving day. Jo
ReplyDeleteIs it this gray dull month of February or what? We all need cheering up I think. xxxxx
ReplyDeleteThat is so precious Diane. I have had the heartache of grands overseas, but it was in the days when communication was letters or an expensive phone call. It is not the same as holding him, but you will have webcam and skype and more, and the excitement of trips to see them.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Jan
So sad for you to see them leaving but the world has become smaller these days with all the communications. But it is still the worst for the one's who stay behind.
ReplyDeleteOh what a wonderful post, Diane. I hope that your kids do well in the USA--but I know you will miss there terribly. Maybe you will visit them here--and come to see us at the same time!!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day... Great pictures today.
Hugs,
Betsy
So cute. I've still got some little shoes of my kids in the cedar chest. I don't know why we keep 'stuff' but it's sure fun.
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful - I hope you have the opportunity to go visit your precious grandson in his new home.
ReplyDelete"Adealide and Beyond"
Ah it makes me all teary eyed too, my cousin just got word that they are all systems go for NZ and will be leaving soon, not long after we got here to be closer to all our family here. Oh well. What a lovely thought. Hope you see him and them soon again too.
ReplyDeleteAs a grandmother with one of her grandchildren playing behind her while writing this I can not image the pain of having my grandchildren so far away from me. You may understand but it will not stop you missing him I hope you get to see him again sooner rather then later.
ReplyDeleteI'm sitting here with tears in my eyes and missing my own kids and their babies.
ReplyDeleteThey are a lovely family!
The shoes beside the pictures is a lovely sentiment.
I hope it won't be long before you see them again.
Oh what a lump I have in my throat! I know this will be sooo hard on you..but that sweet boy will remember you and you'll get to see photos just as soon as they are taken with this digital age! That's hoiw I've watched Ella grow..and I don't think I've missed too much (other than she herself!!) Time will go quickly and you'll be together soon! Safe travels to all..
ReplyDeleteIsn't Fox just the cutest little boy♥ Hopefully you can make a quick visit over to LA in the not too distant future. Some great deals on fares and it's not that long a trip. Hope they enjoy their time in LA. xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely thought, sending the shoes :)
ReplyDeleteThat was a very thoughtful gift!
ReplyDeleteYou know what the trouble with kids is? You raise them to be strong and independent and adventurous and willing to try new things -- and then, by golly, they turn right around and do all those things! I tell you it's just not fair! ;>))
What an adorable gesture ! I can understand that you had to pull out some tissus ! I had the first shoes of Dario put in a bronze bath, that is a use here in Belgium and I found it very nice. I kept one and gave one to my parents. Now Dario has the one from my parents because they are dead and I have the other.
ReplyDeleteThere is always Skype to see him !
I saw little Toby last week talking and waiting for his bottle, once he got it he wasn't interested in the computer screen anymore !
Oh, Diane...I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. I feel the pain of having your only little grandson off to the States. I understand why your daughter and her husband are leaving, but I know your heart is aching. When you come to visit them in LA, do come north to the Pacific Northwest for a visit here. But NOT in winter. You'd hate the cold, cold rain.
ReplyDeleteIt's a sweet little gift (although it is sad). What a cutie he is, but you know that!
ReplyDeleteHow sad, the shoes are a cute memory of Fox. LA is not that far away, ust a plane ride. Love all the photos.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it needs to be in some sort of perspective, but that doesn't make it any easier. I have spent the last two days doing 'ma-care' whilst my daughter works in the same apartment. We are getting the hang of it. She is now up to 50% of the time as work time, meaning that I get there at 9am and leave at 5pm and she is able to bill half of that. Last week it was only about 30%. Requires a fair bit of discipline. Good fun though, and when Alannah sleeps, I get a lot of reading done.
ReplyDeleteRe your question about Paddington being a working-man's suburb.
ReplyDeleteWell, it was divided. The first houses were very small and were close to Victoria Barracks during the 1840s. These were inhabited by the 'tradies' of the time, eg masons. But as Sydney prospered during the 1840s-1860s so the merchant class expanded from The Rocks and started building their double-fronted terraces at the top of Oxford Street with views back to the burgeouning town and down to the glistening harbour. Many of these terraces are still there today - lots actually. Double/triple fronted and 3 storeys to take in the view. Nowadays they change hands readily for $3-$5 million.
Oh Diane, I feel for you and I can see how sad this was. I remember how my mother-in-law felt after we left for the west coast with our son who was not much older than Fox is now. It was the only time I saw her cry. I can hear another door opening though, another opportunity to go traveling.
ReplyDelete