Distant Family and Friends

INTRO: I wrote this poem while recalling memories of times spent with my brother and his wife and family who live 800kms north of my hometown of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. They come down to visit family and friends a few times a year. Every year I wish I had the money and time to go up and visit them. Then in 2019, I went up to live in their town.

Back in 2011, I went on a travelling/working holiday, driving across the top of Australia to Broome Western Australia, 6000km away. I missed my daughters and family so much, physically, and emotionally they felt so far away. I couldn’t just jump in the car and drive down the road to visit them. It was a five-hour flight from Perth to Brisbane across the width of Australia to visit them. After travelling for three years around Australia and Tasmania in our motorhome, I wanted to and needed to settle back to live within a two hours’ drive of my daughters, my ageing dad, and my family. Even though I don’t live in their pockets, I find it comforting to know they are only a short drive or plane flight away. I couldn’t imagine permanently living in a different country from them, yet many people must do just that.

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Time is ticking away, stopping for no one, not the traveller nor the loved one at the other end of the journey. Life ticks away as we wait to travel. The clouds shield the sun’s heat, showing mercy to the traveller. Will the clouds shower the traveller with refreshing light rain to cool the journey, or with a thunderstorm hindering and delaying the arrival? Either way, tears of joy will flow from the eyes at the journey’s end? Beverley Joy

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PODCAST – Distant Family and Friends

I often reflect on the time
I stayed with you in your home
These precious memories
Warm and chuckle in my heart.

Yes, we are separated
By distance, time, and money
My contribution is not much
To your everyday run of life.

I don’t call or save well enough
I let life’s busyness keep me from that
I often think “I must ring you”
Then it’s 9pm and the day is through.

Yet, I believe thoughts and memories
Connect through time and space
I often feel I am there with you
Walking and chatting and laughing too.

But life has changed for you up there
And life has changed for me down here
Family members have moved away
To connect now means travel and money.

Till we meet again, which I hope will be soon
Please know that you are in my prayers
I thank God that you are part of my life
Till we meet again, we have sweet memories.

Beverley Joy © 2018 of Simply Story Poetry. All Rights Reserved.

You can listen to all my poems on several podcast platforms here

Image by anncapictures from Pixabay