For the past week and a half, it has felt like we’ve been on a roller coaster, as we readied ourselves and middle child for her experience of a lifetime. When she was born some twenty-three years ago, I never imagined that one day she would leave to travel to the other side of the world. Going away family dinners were held, a lovely party at the Ping Pong Bar & Lounge put on by one of her best friends. Friends she hadn’t seen for ages, people she grew up with, came to wish her safe travels and good luck.
Always the adventurous one, unable to find a job at home, she looked overseas. Off to Seoul, South Korea to teach English as a Second Language for a year. So this morning after the alarm went off at 4 a.m., we gathered her luggage, just under the weight limit of fifty pounds, trying my best not to cry, knowing I will probably not see her for a year, we drove her to the airport.
When she lands in Seoul tomorrow, she will be fourteen hours ahead of our time. She will not have a phone, hopefully she can find free wi-fi to tell me she’s safe. I will try not to worry.
The adventure begins for middle child.
So happy to hear that C has arrived safely and is settling in to her new life. So excited to read about all her adventures!
Besos Sarah.
All is good for her, I can stop worrying so much. 🙂
Oh you’ve made me tearful now! This is the kind of thing I’m dreading. I know my girl will want to experience everything, and that makes me so glad for her. But the thought of not seeing her for a year is hard. Stay strong. She’ll have an amazing time, and make you even prouder than you already are x
Oh I’m sorry. It is difficult, you want them to succeed, travel, see the world, but you also want to be able to hold them, and now I can’t for a year. I had a good cry about it yesterday, so I think I can last another few days. Thank you for your kind words Helen.
Oh, and by the way… your daughter is a knockout!
Easy to see where she gets it from, though…
Thank you for her, and thank you for me. You are sweet.
I am, aren’t I?
Very much so. Your family is lucky to have you. 🙂
You’re a parent, Catherine… of course you’re gong to worry!
That’s what we do!
But congrats to the Middle Child on being so brave and cool.
Thank you, she is very brave, and enjoying her time immensely.
Glad to hear it!
🙂
Quite the journey. By now, she’s arrived … so hopefully her first days are off to a good start. Best of luck on her journey … and hey mom – don’t worry!
I’m trying not to worry, it helps that we are able to speak with her daily even though are am and pm’s are opposite. She is having a fabulous time, has already made friends and looking forward to the year. Hearing the joy in her voice relaxes my worries.
Cheers to a good start!
Thank you Frank.
Your daughter is going to have an amazing time on her travels. How long does snail mail take to get to South Korea from Canada? I wrote to my daughter every week while she was away and she treasured hearing news from home as it was impossible to keep in touch. I am thinking of you Catherine… it’s not easy being a mum is it?!
I was just saying to my husband that when the children were young, you realize they will leave the next, but to go to the other side of the world, is something that doesn’t even cross your mind. We are actually having an easy time communicating. We talk on the phone when it is just before her bedtime, and it is my morning. Either way, being a mum is hard like you say.
This is going to be an amazing time for her!!! I’m a little jealous 😉
I am also a little jealous of her, and since I cannot do the same, I will happily listen to her many stories.
🙁 this post made me cry all over again
Oh Jessie you poor thing, stop by for a hug and a chat anytime you like.
Thinking of you, Catherine. You must be counting the hours til you hear from your daughter. But don’t read this — do something else to distract yourself! More funnies on the tube! Enter more contests! And know she’ll be alright.
She sent us a text after landing in San Francisco, then just before she took off on the next 13 hour leg of the flight. It is going to be a long night, we don’t know when we will hear from her next. 🙁
Best of luck to her and to you all! It sounds like a very exciting journey and I’m sure she will learn a lot on the way!
Thank you Roshni. I imagine she will learn many different life skills, and ways of life different from ours. It is quite exciting for her.
OMG. What a difficult time this is going to be for you….and yet….I know you wouldn’t stop her for anything in the world. These kids are really something…..when I think of how small our world was when we came up and how kids now really have no bounds to what they can experience, my mind just boggles! But thoughts with you, the mum, today…..hold it together and know that you made her just for this…and so many more things to come! Be proud!
Yes, my outside says I seem fine, but my insides are in knots Torrie. Thank you, I am very proud of her, and my other two kids, they have dreams that I never even considered when I was their age, as you say ‘my mind just boggles’.
Best of luck to her and lots of calming vibes to you, mama.
I wish I had been that courageous when I was her age.
I too, wish I had been that courageous, ah but I have a daughter who is, I can live through her. Thank you Jenn.
Wishing your adventurous daughter lots of luck. One tries not to worry, but it’s not easy. 🙂
I’m sure I have far more grey hair today, but she is worth it. Thank you Sylvia.
Yes, we moms are real worry warriors. Forgot to say how beautiful your daughter is.
Oh I am a terrible worrywart! Thank you very much for saying she is beautiful.