I've
had better days.
This
week, I intended to write happy blog posts about our recent trips to Italy and Safranbolu,
Turkey. But life had other plans for me.
My
dad is sick in the hospital in Nebraska,
and I think I'm going to make an emergency trip back home to the US to help out
my family. I'm needed back home, and that's all I can think about.
These
are the days I hate being an expat
and being so far away from family.
The
distance makes me go crazy.
I
feel helpless.
I
feel scared.
I
don't like not knowing.
And
there's always the time difference between Turkey and the U.S.
I
also feel responsible because I'm the oldest sibling. I feel like I need to
take charge and help out. But how can I do that when I'm 7,000 miles away from
my parents?
I
worry about my dad. I've always been a bit of a daddy's girl. He taught me to
ride a bike, took me fishing, yelled at me during my first driving lessons,
encouraged me to become a chef, and was supportive of our move abroad to
Turkey.
 |
| 1997 - Dad and me preparing to attend a Nebraska football game. |
It's
been difficult to see him hooked up to IVs and see him in a hospital. He tells
me not to worry, but how can I not?
Being
an expat isn't always glamorous. Or easy.
Some
days are tough.
At
the end of the day, I miss my dad.
23 comments:
Sorry to hear about your dad, Joy. It's exactly the situation that lingers in the back of every expat's mind. Hope he's better soon and safe trip to you.
I hear ya, Joy. Julie's right, this is always something in the back of our minds. Take it one day at a time and have a safe trip back to the US.
I can feel what you feel..
Have a safe trip to the US and hope your father gets well soon. Our prayers are for him and you..
Selin
@Julia, Barbara and Selin,
Thanks for all your kind words. This week hasn't been easy. I was baking the other day for the cafe and the tears just kept coming. I know I'll feel better once I'm there to help out with my dad.
Sorry to hear your bad news. This is one of the downsides to being an expat. You will be with him soon though. Thoughts are with you. xxxxxxxxxx
hi joy! i am so sorry tp hear your dad is sick. have a safe trip home. i bet seeing you will make him feel better! my thoughts will be with you and i wish you the best!
Wishing your father a speedy recovery.
Sorry to hear about your Dad...you and him will be in my thoughts.
I wish you the best..and have a safe journey home...and a speedy recovery for your Dad.
Yes, you absolutely have to go. I have been through this with my own dad so I completely understand. I hope all will be well.
I know how it feels, being an expat myself. I wish you much strength. I hope your father will feel better soon. Have a safe trip to the US.
Allah yardımcı olsun! Praying for your father. Hope things get easier, Joy! Have a safe journey back to the US.
I wanted to go back to Turkey this year, but my fathers health is not good. Coming home will give you the strength to move on afterwards. They only want what's best for us and in the end, we know what's best.
Hang in there, Joy. And healing thoughts for your dad as he gets well.
Wow! Thanks for all the support everyone! The doctors sound positive about my dad's surgery so that's good news. I'll be back in the US tomorrow nite. Thanks again for your prayers and support!
Joy, I am so sorry to hear about your father. It is really hard to be so far away when your father is ill. I completely understand. I wish all the best for you!
Joy, gecmis olsun...
İ hope your father feels better now..yes, sometime the distance & different time zone is too difficult to handle...
İ will search your recipes and may vome back with a couple of questions..
Hope to see you soon,
Deniz
@Jules and Deniz,
Thanks for your kind words! My dad is recovering from his surgery at home now, and I'm here to help. Just had to steal a few minutes away to find some wifi and catch up on things.
Doubt I'll be posting many recipes from here, but I did make a delicious maple-soy glazed salmon for dinner last night. My dad's verdict: It's different. ;-)
Hi Joy, I just found your blog and read a few posts. Your dad's story strikes a chord. It is a frightening experience to be so far away in emergencies. He must have been heartened to see you nearby. My dad's heart attack happened while I was at sea working on a cruise ship. It was only three days later that I could fly home to see him, and then he passed away while I was overseas.
You have a talent in the kitchen, and I think it's great that you are sharing it. Keep it up.
Franklin
Geçmis olsun. I'm so sorry to hear about your dad— I know how it is. When my grandad was ill, I was on the other side of the planet and felt awful that I couldn't see him. It's certainly not easy being so far away from loved ones— but I am glad you got to get back home to see him.
sour cream and süzme yoğurt dilemma brought me face to face with my biggest fears about being an expat. living in ankara away from my family back in izmir is hard enough in itself (considering that i'm an only child, a daddy's girl and my parents are getting, well, older, not old...) i hope it'll all be ok. geçmiş olsun...
Deniz
Thanks again everyone! I am so thankful my dad made it through the surgeries! Before he went into surgery, I reminded him that I would be there the next day when he woke up to give him some encouragement. The infection was serious enough and his heart weak that we were all a bit worried.
He's slowly recovering and gaining a little strength back.
i'm sorry to hear about your father's health challenges but am sure you brought a lot of joy in every sense to him and your mother. wishing him a steady recovery and i'm glad you are back safe in istanbul. take care.
@Becky, thank you for your kind words too! Being able to spend time with my dad and watch him heal a little made the trip all worthwhile. It's just hard to realize your parents are getting old and now you have to be the parent and make decisions for them.
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