Small pleasures

[Brown and Boris]

Have just finalised plans to see my two (grown up) kids together for the first time in about 6 or 7 years. I divorced their mother when the elder was at uni about 11 years ago, then one was in Australia then Wales, the other was in Japan and then Scotland while I was in London, then middle England, now up north. The elder works almost every Christmas (job obsessed doctor) and I although I have seen them both on their own for odd hours/days/weekends they haven't seen each other for about 3 years and we haven't all been together for about 6 years.

April 3/4/5/6 they have both got holiday and are coming here. I am inviting my Mum up to make the full set.

Small things bring the most pleasure, and some sadness as to what divorce and modern living can do to family life.

[Bernie-the-bolt]

Cool...

We have had a number of reunions over the last couple of years, Wife's brother lives in Japan, Father lives in the states, mother is mental and live near us in the UK........that said it even got to the stage of mother and father in law in the same house with all the family but all went well!

We also managed a holiday on my side the summer before my dad passed away, the first time the entire family had been together for some years.

Got to be done as you only live once.

Hope you have a good time and enjoy

[snowy slopes]

Nice one. Havent seen me dad for ages, mainly because he lives down south, i live in south yorkshire and he has been seriously ill recently and so cant travel. Due to both myself and OH having been ill, we are trying to build up some finances to enable us to visist both sets of parents who live close to each other, so am sure you will have a brilliant time!

[RDMcG]

Absolutely agree with OP. My son is 25, (luckily I have a great relationship with him, despite his utter lack of interest in things automotive). No question, my divorce from his mother was hugely hurtful to him, (he was 11),but at least it ended well. Its a tough thing, divorce, and there is always a sense of regret where kids are involved. As it happens, he dealt with it very well, and it is fun when he rolls in the door every few months.

[Kermit power]

Strange, isn't it, how the grass is always greener!

I'm married with 3 small children, and we see both sets of Grandparents at least every couple of months or so. The small pleasure, for me, is unexpected moments of solitude!

As an example, on holiday last year, my parents took the eldest two kids with them for the first week whilst my wife and the baby meandered through France to reach them. We had one night in Carcassonne when I woke up at around 5am, with the other two still fast asleep. 15 minutes later, I was out in a completely deserted medieval town. Nothing but me and my camera for the best part of 2 hours. In the whole time, I only saw 2 other people. Bliss!

Strangely, if I have advance knowledge of solitude (I travel frequently on business, for example), it just isn't the same.

[Nolar Dog]

Brown and Boris said:

emotional stuff

That's brilliant news and I hope you enjoy the time together.
The simple things really are the best.

I kind of know how you feel as I've not seen my sister for 3 years now.

[mattley]

Absolutely, I'd say that was a pretty big deal.


Small pleasure for me is chucking a fag end at the drain to see it go straight in without touching the grate.