i have cried enough to sink a ship

[squashysu]

today my sister has left to go to New Zealand, for her new fantastic life and boy have i sobbed! Her plane takes off in 10 minutes!

Will you all join me later for a drink, the Magners is cold and in the fridge ready for blast off! firstly to drown my sorrows and secondly to wish her well in her new life!

[Rhona]

Oh poor love. How sad and totally exciting. I shall definately be raising a glass to you both!

Happy (but probably tearful) evening. xxx

p.s. cheer yourself up by planning your first trip to visit her!

[TonyF]

Our close friends here have arrived in France last year to find their son, DiL and expected baby are off to Canada, in fact are there now - and not a tear, not a shred of emotion.

Although it's not the same Su, my old Dad, now long dead, was offered jobs in Africa and Canada but didn't take them because he didn't want to leave my old Gran again - he had been a Japanese prisoner and his return was never assured, didn't want her to 'loose' him again. He made me promise him, just a few days before he died, that I wouldn't have the same regrets that he had, one of which wasn't emigrating.

OK, France isn't NZ but we still left family and friends behind for a new life in a completely alien environment, in our case, deepest rural France after living and working for the majority of our lives in and around London.

Best of luck to your sister and her family, may they live long and prosper - and just think of the stonking reunions you'll have when you get together with her in the future.

And have another Magners for me at the same time, it's nice being an immigrant in a foreign country!!!

[jaykay]

Enjoy your evening - I'm sure your sister wouldn't want you to keep on crying and it won't be long before you hear from her by phone/webcam.

[blue411]

I'll defo join you, but every cloud....... just think of the reunions at her end!!!!!

[rustylady]

To far to join you in person, but I will definitely be with you in thought. Pass on the Magners, though - I'll have a nice glass of red wine. Try to be positive, it's a whole new life for her in a fantastic place, and who knows you may be able to spend long holidays with her.

[di]

Guess if you're really holding my arm behind my back about it I can manage a glass!
Hope you're feeling a little better now~did you not get any extra magners in?!
Sprinklings of fairy dust coming your way to try a bring some cheer!xx

[milly2306]

my niece and brother in law emigrated to australia 4 years after my sister died, i'd looked after my niece for 4 years and i haven't seen them for 16 years now BUT she is here now until march and BIL is coming over for xmas, its great. I'm sure you will see your sister long before that and of course you will miss her terribly but your bond as sisters will never break. enjoy your drink and good luck to you all
xxxmillyxxx

[squashysu]

arrrrr thanks everyone - i am still down in the dumps, but she has moved to a lovely place to be with a lovely man and they are building a house etc, she has no kids and my kids adore her and she is my only family, thats why all the sadness.

i know the reunions will be great, but the goodbyes are the saddest.....a toast to my sis in her new life - she doesnt get there for over 24 hours, which is a long time isnt it?

once her house is built we will be going to see her, 3 kids and a plane journey of over 24 hours to look forward to !!!

thanks for your kind words xx

[Nicos]

...so why not go and join her?????

Just a thought!!!

You'll be nattering away on the phone/internet or something this time tomorrow!

[gemlady]

Oh I can understand why your so upset, but at the same time glad for your sister. It must have been terribly hard to say goodbye, but I'm sure you'll be in contact by e-mail and webcam, and I'll bet there'll be some wonderful reunions. I hope these words will be of some comfort because I may have to use them on myself in the next couple of years, as daughter (only child) and boyfriend talking about emigrating. All I can say is have a good cry, have an even longer drink, then think about how happy they will all be.

[squashysu]

...so why not go and join her?????

Just a thought!!!

You'll be nattering away on the phone/internet or something this time tomorrow!

i wish i could, my OH wont leave his 87 year old dad, as his brothers are useless!!!! and also he is 51, so only have 4 years to get there!!! and i am taking a degree and if i wanted to, i would need this to get in and then that finishes in 4 years!!!! so we wont be going!

i wish we was nattering, she isnt even in Napier yet!!! she will arrive in the next few hours! took 12 hours to get to LA and then 2 hrs in LAX airport and then 12 hours to NZ and then a 3 hour wait at Auckland for a 1hr plane to Napier, its a hell of a journey! So thats 30 hours!!!!! my word she will be nacked for the first few days!!

Feeling a bit better today, it will take a while i think, knowing she not coming back!

[ugly gourd]

Our friends went to tasmania 2 years ago and weve saved and saved and were touring NZ ( going to napier!!) then spending xmas with her. It seems so far but when you phone or e-mail its as if there here but when phoning you just have to remember the time difference!! been caught out a couple of times!!

[squashysu]

Thanks UG, i spoke to her a little while ago she phoned from Auckland and she is now delayed for her little flight to napier, due to fog. Napier is gorgeous, my aunt lives there and cousins, its very Art Deco, i cant wait to go, but cant go till her house is built which will be 2010 probably!

Have a lovely time when you see your friends, what an adventure, i am already saving LOL

[ugly gourd]

its going to be our last big family holiday as my boys!! are 16 and 19 everyone keeps saying how nice Napier is and Ive seen pictures of the art deco