FAREWELL IS A LONELY SOUND, WHEN TOLD TO SOMEONE YOU LOVE....
Posted: Wednesday, 30 April 2008 |
Saying goodbye to someone you love is so hard for any mum
You say it's just for a while, as you force a smile and hope they understand.
This tiny, forlorn figure is my son going off to school in Oban.
He will stay in the hostel. He will not be here with me.
No more night night hugs or cuddles at bedtime.
Can anything be stronger than a mother's love for her child? From the moment our children are born, they receive the most dedicated, most unconditional, most devoted and special love.
Throughout their lives, we nurture them, educate them, keep them from harm and protect them with our lives. A mother would lay down her life for her child.
Children cost an arm and a leg to raise, often we will do without so that they do not.
Children are so special. They bring us joy and at times they break our hearts.
Untidy, sometimes cheeky, noisy, demanding and clueless about where money comes from... yet..
now my boy is gone, the house is empty, I am lost,
no more can I nag
Have you brushed your teeth?
be back soon, eat all your tea up, turn that tele down,
are you on that computer AGAIN?
Tidy up that Bedroom!!
How I miss him. But soon he will ring, full of the day's events, the football, kayaking, archery and his new friends.
And what will I do. I will nag him over the telephone.
Watch the road, don't go out in the dark, put all your dirty clothes in a bag.
What are you eating? don't eat anything with E numbers in.
Yeah, yeah, yeah mum, he will say.
I have moped about for days.
Not visiting the beach
nor my friends the seals.
But today something came in the post which cheered me up. A new telephoto lens.
I roused myself out of despair and took a few photos of some other mothers and their babies.
The primroses are now peeping through and the beautiful pink thrift is out already ...
The seal pups, sunbathing on the rocks, soft and white and round.
One cheeky character rolled over as if she wanted her tummy tickled.
Photographing birds was more challenging. My new 55 - 200 mm lens, though a vast improvement on my standard 18 - 55mm lens, still does not allow me to take the superb close ups I strive to achieve.
The two dogs don't make it any easier and I have come to the conclusion that dogs and wildlife photography is nigh on impossible.
Shellducks, Skylarks, George Seagull, oyster catcher and high stepping greylag geese.
For a few hours, my mind has been occupied with photography, but now I sit and wait for the phone to ring.
Has he run out of credit, forgotten his phone charger?
Worse still has he forgotten his mum??
At least I derive some comfort knowing that he will be home on Saturday.
For just over 24 hours,
then its back to Oban.
Is he happy??
Oh yes mum, I'm a striker in the football team
I've made millions of new friends.
I need 拢10.00 not 拢5.00
拢5.00 isn't enough
But have you missed your mum?
The phone goes quiet. He is not alone,
then I hear a hushed whisper....
barely audible
Love you Mum.
I love you too, son.
xxxxx
You say it's just for a while, as you force a smile and hope they understand.
This tiny, forlorn figure is my son going off to school in Oban.
He will stay in the hostel. He will not be here with me.
No more night night hugs or cuddles at bedtime.
Can anything be stronger than a mother's love for her child? From the moment our children are born, they receive the most dedicated, most unconditional, most devoted and special love.
Throughout their lives, we nurture them, educate them, keep them from harm and protect them with our lives. A mother would lay down her life for her child.
Children cost an arm and a leg to raise, often we will do without so that they do not.
Children are so special. They bring us joy and at times they break our hearts.
Untidy, sometimes cheeky, noisy, demanding and clueless about where money comes from... yet..
now my boy is gone, the house is empty, I am lost,
no more can I nag
Have you brushed your teeth?
be back soon, eat all your tea up, turn that tele down,
are you on that computer AGAIN?
Tidy up that Bedroom!!
How I miss him. But soon he will ring, full of the day's events, the football, kayaking, archery and his new friends.
And what will I do. I will nag him over the telephone.
Watch the road, don't go out in the dark, put all your dirty clothes in a bag.
What are you eating? don't eat anything with E numbers in.
Yeah, yeah, yeah mum, he will say.
I have moped about for days.
Not visiting the beach
nor my friends the seals.
But today something came in the post which cheered me up. A new telephoto lens.
I roused myself out of despair and took a few photos of some other mothers and their babies.
The primroses are now peeping through and the beautiful pink thrift is out already ...
The seal pups, sunbathing on the rocks, soft and white and round.
One cheeky character rolled over as if she wanted her tummy tickled.
Photographing birds was more challenging. My new 55 - 200 mm lens, though a vast improvement on my standard 18 - 55mm lens, still does not allow me to take the superb close ups I strive to achieve.
The two dogs don't make it any easier and I have come to the conclusion that dogs and wildlife photography is nigh on impossible.
Shellducks, Skylarks, George Seagull, oyster catcher and high stepping greylag geese.
For a few hours, my mind has been occupied with photography, but now I sit and wait for the phone to ring.
Has he run out of credit, forgotten his phone charger?
Worse still has he forgotten his mum??
At least I derive some comfort knowing that he will be home on Saturday.
For just over 24 hours,
then its back to Oban.
Is he happy??
Oh yes mum, I'm a striker in the football team
I've made millions of new friends.
I need 拢10.00 not 拢5.00
拢5.00 isn't enough
But have you missed your mum?
The phone goes quiet. He is not alone,
then I hear a hushed whisper....
barely audible
Love you Mum.
I love you too, son.
xxxxx
Comments
Can anyone remember the late, great Marty Feldman? I'm not being rude or anything, but one of the skylarks in the photo's does have a certain resemblence to Marty Feldman, maybe its the way he's looking at my camera, but come to think of it, one of the seal pups, has a definite resemblence to me!! Which one? You guess, Oh No !!
Squidgy the otter from Not being rude, but
Oh Squidgy, how sad for you! And how nice to share it with us. Your photos are great, you're really clever with how you display them. Thank you.
Jill from EK
i know how you feel and this is only the beginning wait till they leave for uni--then the trouble starts! then when they come home for the hols for the first couple of dyas its great having them home,but at the end of the first week you ask yourself"how long before they go back?
carol from over here
gosh - there are tears in my eyes! its almost like a bereavement, isn't it. Thank goodness for mobile phones - you can send a message, even if they don't reply. you'll be able to comfort yourself with the knowledge they are happy, well looked after and able to be independent. I'm off to blow my nose and wipe my eyes...
scallowawife from looking at the screen with misted up eyes...
Yes Scallowawife, I wrote the d*m blog and now I'm sniffling again after reading it through. Carol, I know what you are saying !! Jill, thank you for your kind words, much appreciated.
Squidgy the Otter from sniffling too
Speaking as a mum who has seen her kids off to the hostel for nigh on 2 yrs now, I can say it does get easier & by heck is it ever a shock to see how fast they grow up & mature. And then they reach 4yr..... Exam time.... My eldest had her first one today, I spent half of last night on the phone with her telling her she can only do the best she can, then spent the entire day fretting about how she was getting on, and then of course, she phones in the afternoon to tell me what a breeze it was etc etc I'd no need to worry etc. She's talking about Uni now & son is talking about his exams next year.
Angela from Fair Isle.
Its part of life if you live on Coll or Colonsay, at least the kids get home every weekend, in the past it was only at term breaks.
Granny from Coll
Oh Squidgy! my heart goes out to you. How can one person bring so much joy and pain at the same time! Someone said to me once, from the day they are born, each day they take a step away from you as they gain independence - we just borrow them for a time but we have to let them go to find their own way - seems to harsh - you just want to protect them and,keep them safe but you have to let them go. I cant imagine what you are going through - as long as he knows you are always there - he will come back! Dont stop taking the photos - they are truly wonderful
Wild Freckle from tears and a lump!
Hi Squidgy, life is a series of coming togethers and partings. Its probably tougher for you becasue you see a gap but your son is probably roaring to meet the new challenges and opportunities in his life. I went to boarding school and enjoyed it in spite of being parted from a very loving and good mum. Why? Because tehre were more friends and more exciting things to do. Its all part of growing up. Hard for you, good for him. Keep smiling. PS Your new lens sounds pretty good - gies's some more pix!
Barney from Swithiod sympathising
Well I remember Marty Feldman, God bless him, one of the great comics. But sorry, don't see anything like Marty (quite a relief, actually). A seal looking like an otter? What is the world coming to!
Barney from Swithiod down memory lane
This temporary parting is a sad time for you, I know. But think of the joy and pleasures in store when your lad returns home full of excited tales to tell of the new friends he's made and the things he's seen and done. (And I'm sure you'll enjoy spoiling him rotten when you see him again!)
duncan from Brum
my class is doing a project about coll & we found your blog.and we found lots of information about coll on the website. I have learned so mcuch about coll & bout the children going off to school on the big ferrie. Your child looks sad, i hope he is okay. my mum died two years ago so i know what its like to be without a mum. i wish i was on your island, with the pretty flowers & those cute seal babies. my project will bevery interesting. i will do it about children leaving the island to go to school. i hope your little boy is happy.
Pandora from Ipswich
I received a lovely text this morning from someone...don't recognise the number, but anyway it reads.... "Never take someone for granted. Hold special people close to your heart, because you might wake up one day and realise that you've lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones... " . Whatever does this mean I wonder? Who has been collecting stones and where? The intrigue grows.
Squidgy the Otter from Just another pebble on the beach
Mothers have the same tenderness for their children all over the world. I still remember my mother when I was leaving home (Greece) for the University in Scotland, some 55 years ago. She was smiling but her eyes were telling me an other story. The difference was that at that time, mobile telephones or Internet did not exist. I am sorry to say that although I leaved several years in Scotland (bonny Dundee), I never visited the Islands. However these years are included in the best years of my life.
gskastro from Greece
i remember words (good advice from my grandad) loving means knowing when to let go!
carol from over here
May I thank each one of you for taking time to comment. Pandora from Ipswich, I wish you well with your project, I am sure it will be amazing. As someone mentioned, children from several islands attend Oban High School, living in the hostel from Monday to Friday. My little boy has telephoned (several times) and is very happy. Pandora, I am so thrilled that you have found my blog and that you are doing a project on Coll and have found lots of information on the internet to help you. Coll is a wonderful place for children and I am sure you would like it too. You sound amazing and exceptionally brave. Gskastro from Greece, how wonderful to hear from you. I love islands and indeed have been to many Greek Islands. My happiest memories will always be of Spetse and Samos. Thank you all again, my spirits are raised and I am now remotivated into action !!! PS Barney, I have read your comments on my Perfect Day blog, and no, I will not be sitting atop the Crows Nest when you visit Coll - you are very cheeky!!
Squidgy the Otter from saying thank you
scallowawife,how about a blog?? ruth gave me ur e-mail adress but it wasn't good::
carol from over here
Barney, if you look at the photos of the birds, there is a skylark looking directly at the camera. I think this bird is a reincarnation of Marty Feldman. The seal that looks like me is the prettiest one with the big eyes (wink wink)
Squidgy the Otter from Reincarnation of...
Squidgy, do the students from Coll etc. who board in Oban [or those from Fair Isles who attend Lerwick] live on the school premises? Does the government defray the costs of room and board? Is the school "closed" or are the students free to go to town and such on their own? Do the students get free or discounted tickets on the ferry and such? Are those centrally located schools coed? etc etc. Just curious.
mjc from NM,USA
mjc, I will try to answer your questions to the best of my knowledge. The children live in a hostel which is about 5 minutes' walk from the school. There are approximately 80 children in the hostel, 20 of whom are from Coll. I think Argyll and Bute Council pay for the children's lodge, food, accommodation, carers, etc. The children are allowed to go into Oban town with parent/s permission, however, the hostel has its own set of rules and regulations, quite independent from the High School. Ferry tickets for the children are free. The children are bused down to the ferry terminal and back by a member of the Hostel's staff. Both boys and girls attend Oban High. The children arrive home on Saturday morning and leave again on Sunday at 2pm (in summer that is). In winter they do not get home as often and have to stay at the hostel, maybe for 6 weeks, although they do get a long weekend. Coll is still awaiting "lift off" from the airport, where I am told that at the moment a 9 seater plane is on the cards, which means the children may have to fly home on a rota basis. Hopefully, a larger plane will be commandered as a 9 seater may not be adequate. The hostel provides activities for children such as kayaking, swimming and archery. The cost for kayaking is 拢30.00 for I think, 6 weeks' tuition. Parents pay for this. All in all, the children seem to lead a very full, active and healthy lifestyle. I will know more tomorrow when the wee man returns.
Squidgy the Otter from Font of all knowledge (not)
Ha, Squidgey, if you are as beautiful as that seal then "Summer is a -comin' in". Glad to hear that your lad is settling in and is very happy in his new life. Just a hint - that might change if it became known that his mum blogs as "StO".... kids can be great pals one moment and litle horrors the next. If you don't like the crow's nest, perhaps you'd prefer the dog watch?
Barney from Swithiod cheeky is as cheeky does
carol - not good? how can my e-mail not be good? ask R to send it again. x thinkin about a blog but have so much to say it wid be epic length. Still not forgiven IBHQ for losing my long emotional comment to TWS on his let's talk blog.
scallowawife from incredulous
i got it, you're almost right, S, but the birds eyes don't bulge in that fantastic way that Marty's did. Hemispherical they were! Hope the young man's spirits are still high.
Barney from Swithiod opeining his eyes
Mum went to Oban High from Coll in the mid-late 40s, but my uncle wasn't allowed because my grandfather had just been demobbed from the army so he was educated by radio-link! and he is still far more intelligent than I am! Squidgy your son will love Oban and I had no idea my mother could have been such an imp in her youth!
Foofoo from Glasgow
Beautiful and heart-tugging words. Especially to a parent. Thank you Squidgy
Greg from USA
scallow -i'll try again: Foofoo never forget one important thing(or two) parents were once children:2 they are human!
carol from over here
I know didn't mean to be derogatory just couldn't picture my mum giving her teachers nicknames! but she's taught me how to bake (not out of packets), in fact I could write a book on all my parents have done for me including sitting all night with me at Glasgow Royal when I almost died in 2005. Most of the time we don't appreciate the sacrifices our parents make when we're young and I for one know I should. And to everyone who is a Blood Donor THANK YOU this is one life you've saved
Foofoo from Glasgow
It's the letting them go that makes them want to come back...
Flying Cat from a happy empty nest
Foofoo from Glasgow, how I love your name !! The children have now returned to Oban. My son arrived home on Saturday, was here for all of 10 minutes, then disappeared to a day filled with music and activities at Project Trust. Shinty, drama, fiddle, chanter, accordian and all kinds of wonderful things. He returned absolutely exhausted but with an incredible new found interest in Shinty !! the organisers of the weekend festival, Gaelic Feis (hope that is the correct spelling) did a splendid job, even laying on transport from the village and back. Eventually, got to have two words with him about his life ! Yes, everyone was very kind, the "big" boys had called him their star striker, he'd run out of money within days, mixed all his dirty clothes up with his clean, but was very happy. Anyway, must finally mention the weather on Coll, HOT, HOT, HOT !!! Oh and the Corncrake is calling, the cuckoo is singing night and day, and finally, finally, got a nice photo of a Hare. Looks like another beautiful day. xxx
Squidgy the Otter from Isle of Coll
Well said Foofoo !!! and welcome back to Flying Cat, I have missed you so much. Also TWS, am missing my m8.
Squidgy the Otter from Sunbathing on the top deck
squidgy - I know its not the same, but have you read where Ruthodanort's daughter is going?
scallowawife from sunny shetland, 14 degrees
Fair isle kids have the same kind of set up, hostel on school grounds, around 80 kids, fair isle kids are the only ones who dont get home every weekend due to fair isle being so remote, its every 3rd weeks & all long weekends, term holidays etc. Ruth, You have to tell B I say a big TKY for helping M with the guitar ! She's coming on in bounds with encouragement from B. And well done on India !! What a chance of a lifetime ))
Angela from Costa del fair isle
oh, how lovely it would be to fly free with Squidgy on Coll, a real lover of free things she must be and have a happy light heart,makes us think of Disney but we cant come to Coll. Maybe one day we will escape and fly there.
three lovebirds in a cage from Yorkshire
Squidgy: don't worry about tws-he's fine-got an e-mail on sat from him -he'll be back soon
carol from over here
Thank you so much Carol, I was beginnig to worry about the old bu.. ,,,,, tter would not melt in his mouth.
Squidgy the Otter from Feelin relieved
no problem ,squidgy
carol from over here
Oh! My boy is growing too! I have begun to think tat soon after delivering the bairns, we learn to slowly and very painfully let them go. First its physically parting their bodies from ours and then grandparents and nursery, school, friends, girlfriends and eventually wives. But at each stage we must congratulate ourselves we have brought into this world and nurtured independent well loved and balanced individuals which will no doubt because of our devotion and unconditional love will enrich this world. Well done for being what sounds like a wonderfull mom x
sy from whitedale
im from oban and was in oban high from 1990 to 1994 and had many friends who lived in the hostel and they all loved it (kind of) you'll always have your moans about something.lol
col b from dublin
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