Thank you for all the lovely messages on yesterday’s blog post. After speaking to Jan and to my dad, I decided to ask for time off work and book the first flight to England I could. I thought getting time off would be quite difficult because my boss was off on Friday and the other person responsible for approving holiday was working from home… but I messaged the colleague who was at home, he contacted my boss then he got back to me later in the day to say it was fine and we’ll just do the signing of the holiday form when I get back. Jan also arranged with his work to be away next week (although he will be taking his laptop with him and working while we’re over there), so we’re flying to England tomorrow and coming back on Friday. It means I probably won’t make it over for the funeral, but I decided seeing my grandpa while he’s still alive is more important to me.
At times like these, being in another country is hard. I’m so grateful to all the commenters who know what it’s like, and of course to my boyfriend who immediately volunteered to come with me despite how busy he is at the moment. The situation is crap, but I feel loved, which helps.
I won’t actually be able to post while I’m away (my crappy BlackBerry won’t let me on WordPress), so I’ll “speak” to you all when I get back.
p.s. Apologies for the lack of pictures, but honestly… what picture should be used to illustrate a post like this?!
Confuzzledom 
Hope you enjoy your time here! 🙂
Umm, thanks. As much as I can enjoy it when I’m coiming over to see my grandpa before he dies.
Yes, but if you enjoy it seeing him while he is alive it will be a happy memory for you…that’s why I said it.
Wow…
I really hope you get some quality and memorable time with your Grandad, so sorry to hear what you will be going through. I can only imagine as I had a close experience with this recently… I am not really sure what to say other than my heart goes out to you. Try to let him see you happy if possible and take care.
Safe travels and glad it was able to be worked out.
Thank you!
I don’t know you (though I really enjoy your blog) but I feel sorry for anyone in this position. I hope you make it home in time and that your travels aren’t delayed by the awful weather in England.
Thank you! We should be okay… I’m flying to Newcastle and the really awful weather seems to be in the south.
Good decision, methinks… make the most of it. This is going t be hard, but worthwhile. All the best. Catch you when you get back.
Sorry to hear your news but glad you’re going. You won’t regret it. We never did.
Thank you. It means I probably won’t make it to the funeral, but I think seeing him one last time is more important to me.
Good luck and smooth travels. You’re making the right decision.
Safe travels. You are definitely making the correct decision. We’ve had to make such decisions in my family, and I know that each of us is forever grateful we did. Glad to hear Jan is able to join you, as well.
Thank you for your kind words. We are back now. Jan worked while we were over tehre, but he came to the hospital every day.
I am so happy that you are able to fly to England and see your Grandpa! I am thinking of you and I hope you will have safe travels! I know how hard it is to be far away when somebody you love is sick so I know how much this means to you! I am thinking of you and I am sending you all my love!
Enjoy your time away, I’m glad you were able to get the time away to go. Stuff like this is important.
Thanks… as much as it’s possible to enjoy it anyway.
Safe trip, Bev. You and your grandpa will be in my thoughts. xoxo
Thank you.
I’m glad you get to see your grandpa before he passes away. My grandma died unexpectedly and I hadn’t sen her in 5 years before that. It still makes me sad to think about it… But I totally get the part about being far away in another country. Hang in there! xoxo
Thank you. I’m glad he was at least given days to live so I have a chance to get over there.
Good luck with everything. I think I’ll be making the same trip soon, so I feel your troubles. I’ll keep you in my thoughts.
Thank you. It’s a horrible situation… sorry to hear you have it coming too.
Have a great trip – I am glad it worked out for you to get there!
Sorry to hear about your grandad but I’m sure he will so appreciate your efforts to see him and I hope it helps you emotionally to know you get to spend a little more precious time with him. Thinking of you.
It is always tough living away from family at times like this, even though I live in the UK, I still had an exhausting five hour drive to see my Mum in her final illness. So my thoughts are with you and your family at this time.
I’m glad you were able to get the time off to go see your grandpa. Hope all goes well in your travels home (or as well as they can be given the circumstances). Xx
Safe travels, Bev. I’m glad you’re getting the chance to hop over.
All the best with everything. I know it won’t be easy, but I think you are doing the right thing. This is what I am so fearful of as an expat, so I think you seem to be dealing with it really well.
xXx
Oh no, so sorry to hear it. That is undoubtedly one of the worst situations to be in when in another country. Good that you can at least get back for a little while though. Sending warm fuzzies your way and safe travels!
I’m so sorry to hear all this. My thoughts are with you. When I lost my uncle the year before last, it was so hard to deal with from over here. Taking an emergency Ryanair flight wasn’t so bad but because I wasn’t in with the family all the time, I was the last person to know all the news.
I’m here if you need someone to talk to xx