I’ve had 9 months to prepare for this. I didn’t anticipate this goodbye exactly, or that we’d still be in Canada 8 months after our what was suppose to be “3 week ski trip”, but nevertheless here we are. Still stuck in Canada thanks to Covid, although fortunately surrounded by family. Despite my long history of saying goodbye to family and friends for extended periods having made the move to Australia from Canada at the age of 20, the goodbyes only get harder. There’s no amount of experience, or preparation that makes goodbyes like this any easier.

I was getting angry at myself for being sad and anxious, knowing how fortunate I am and the good run I’ve had having my husband home full time and experiencing a Canadian life. Living overseas I miss out on a great deal of family affairs and to think I’ve celebrated all of our family members birthdays this year! I was here when my brother and his fiancée welcomed their little girl. I’ve been part of my sister’s entire pregnancy and will be able to welcome him into this world. It’s been nothing short of magic. However, despite knowing our current adventure wouldn’t last forever it’s hard to think that life will eventually go back to normal ( whatever the new normal may be). China’s borders opened up to work permit holders, so the hubby has headed back to Shanghai making it an emotional day. 😭 who will cook dinner for us and do all the heavy lifting?! 😉 His departure is also a strike of reality, knowing we too will have to head ‘home’ soon and face another devastating goodbye. Sometimes I wonder why I did this to myself? No matter where we live, there’s always a painful goodbye. And although we have Facetime and (usually) lots of incredible holidays and visits together, the emotions are what they are. I hate the thought of keeping the kids from their grandparents and not being able to celebrate all the little moments. I will be okay, it just hurts. I feel so, so blessed, but also so torn. Fortunately I know both Coynie and I will have our work cut out for us over the next couple of months. Just when I thought I had this parenting thing down pat, I took the kids by myself to breakfast at the hotel…. overtired kids whose father just flew to China for an unknown period of time and covid social distancing restrictions: I lasted an entire 4 minutes at the table before asking the server for room service. 😂You can come back now honey 😘BUT I know we got this. We always do.

If you live abroad, fifo fam, or missing peeps thanks to covid- I feel ya. It’s not easy is it? It is however amazing what we are capable of when we’re in the position. One dirty nappy and meal at a time.