At the start of March I got a phone call asking when I had been anticipating visiting next. Honestly, while I didn't have a time in mind, I hadn't anticipated another visit until we had a child. I made a deal (only semi-joking) with my Mum that when we had a child we would spend the first Christmas with them.
And then the phonecall. With a choice. Grandad isn't getting any better. Either scramble for the money and visit within a month or so. Or hold out, save up and have the money to hand ready for the funeral. Not much of a choice, even though only I'm able to come.
I've been keeping the visit pretty quiet, not many people outside of family know I'm going to be in the country. But the entire purpose of the visit is to spend time with my family. It'll probably be a couple more years before I'm back on a social trip again. But at least then I'll have the husband with me.
There's lots of mixed emotions churning around my head right now. As is usual to us here, lots of them baby related.
The reality really hit me yesterday that barring some impressive odds this is the last time I'll see my Grandad. Chances are I'll never be able to share a pregnancy and the growth of my family with the man who was my Father-figure throughout my childhood. I'll never see him holding my baby, his great-grandchild.
At least I'll get to spend some time with my niece.
