I feel this about my daughter and she only lives in Wellington and, for reasons I cannot fathom or change, hasn't been in my life for many months. It feels like a death.
We hold them close while we can for they're not ours to keep, as Khalil Gibran noted 💔
I use Flightradar for all sorts of things. In Feb 2023 on the Tuesday of the cyclone when there was no comms from many places on the east coast I was both concerned and relieved to see the NH90s making their way towards Hastings. And then I watched several helicopters making short out and back journeys, which I now know was mostly rescues from rooftops.
And on 23rd August 21 just before the US was pulling out of Afghanistan I screen shotted aircraft near Kabul. NZ had some Hercs up there bringing people out, but the range and number of aircraft was impressive. At work I'd hear people complaining about the new lockdown and they'd shut up when I said that I'd rather be here than Kabul.
And also watching flights out of Dubai. I've seen the recent route dead south and then they loop west towards Europe.
Sometimes having options (Dubai or LA) adds to the pain. Do parents agonise more than the child? Anyway who's responsible for the current malaise? Trump and the manipulating Netanyahu obviously. And our own kiwi toadies who invest their millions in Hawaii
A touching read there David. We're in line to confront the very same issue in June for darling daughter's wedding... just waiting for sanity to finally kick in... and WW3 to be declared over in the stated time frame...yeah... right.
Meanwhile - The fights are booked and Emirates have got our money, in their bank account.
I too live this reality. Two daughters, one in Berkeley, California, the other in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Regular video calls with both, daily from one and weekly from the other, determined by their working hours and how well we can match our time zones. We get together at Christmas and in June/July. My daughter in California has a nearly seventeen year old adorable daughter who is frequently there to chat. This has been my reality for more years than I like to count, and I have adapted and adjusted to the situation. When my granddaughter was born I said, "We have to make farewells as joyful as arrivals so that this baby isn't tortured by tearful farewells all her life." We've achieved this by focusing on the plans for our next get together and she is completely adapted to it. We certainly all have cool adventures together, things I would never have done on my own, and I'm just as besotted with with them all as the day they were born.
I feel this about my daughter and she only lives in Wellington and, for reasons I cannot fathom or change, hasn't been in my life for many months. It feels like a death.
We hold them close while we can for they're not ours to keep, as Khalil Gibran noted 💔
Sorry to hear that
I absolutely love it when you write about your daughter, David. Your love for her and Karren is boundless
Yes, we want to keep them close when the world is like this, but we know we can't always.
A bit surprised, but also a bit relieved, to see I'm not the only parent who uses FlightRadar in this way.
It's PERFECTLY NORMAL. Sticking an airtag on them might be taking things a bit far though.
I use Flightradar for all sorts of things. In Feb 2023 on the Tuesday of the cyclone when there was no comms from many places on the east coast I was both concerned and relieved to see the NH90s making their way towards Hastings. And then I watched several helicopters making short out and back journeys, which I now know was mostly rescues from rooftops.
And on 23rd August 21 just before the US was pulling out of Afghanistan I screen shotted aircraft near Kabul. NZ had some Hercs up there bringing people out, but the range and number of aircraft was impressive. At work I'd hear people complaining about the new lockdown and they'd shut up when I said that I'd rather be here than Kabul.
And also watching flights out of Dubai. I've seen the recent route dead south and then they loop west towards Europe.
What a beautiful piece.
I love seeing love spoken freely 💕
Distance makes the heart grow sombre?
OMG Bawling my eyes out through this whole piece xx Kia Kaha!
Ooofff. With a darling daughter in Edinburgh ( got 2 weeks of her here last year 💛) this piece says everything I feel! 🙏🏻
Lovely. Just lovely.
A fabulous write! I love it too! Thanks David.
Sometimes having options (Dubai or LA) adds to the pain. Do parents agonise more than the child? Anyway who's responsible for the current malaise? Trump and the manipulating Netanyahu obviously. And our own kiwi toadies who invest their millions in Hawaii
A touching read there David. We're in line to confront the very same issue in June for darling daughter's wedding... just waiting for sanity to finally kick in... and WW3 to be declared over in the stated time frame...yeah... right.
Meanwhile - The fights are booked and Emirates have got our money, in their bank account.
Fingers crossed!
I too live this reality. Two daughters, one in Berkeley, California, the other in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Regular video calls with both, daily from one and weekly from the other, determined by their working hours and how well we can match our time zones. We get together at Christmas and in June/July. My daughter in California has a nearly seventeen year old adorable daughter who is frequently there to chat. This has been my reality for more years than I like to count, and I have adapted and adjusted to the situation. When my granddaughter was born I said, "We have to make farewells as joyful as arrivals so that this baby isn't tortured by tearful farewells all her life." We've achieved this by focusing on the plans for our next get together and she is completely adapted to it. We certainly all have cool adventures together, things I would never have done on my own, and I'm just as besotted with with them all as the day they were born.
Oh those joyous months go so fast. The first few days you think, wow we have a whole month of this, luxury. Then it just gallops.