Generational Chatter

Birmingham, UK — Northampton, UK

Yesterday I travelled from Birmingham, UK to Northampton, UK to stay with my Grandparents and get visits from Aunties, Uncles and Cousins.

I was hoping to come here and my Grandfather be back from hospital, he was submitted over 3 weeks ago with a heart problem and given the call that he could drop dead at any moment. He is waiting for an operation and he still is waiting, I was going to see him today but yesterday he was told that today he would get the operation he needs. This morning we get the call that it wont be today either …… I really hope he can be home for Christmas but from the past few weeks of being messed around by the hospital, it doesn’t seem possible But I cross my heart and pray that he will be home for Christmas as his loving wife, dog and family want him home.

I have really enjoyed the last days of talking with my Grandmother, about my year, my work and my thoughts on the future. Its really inspiring to hear her stories from when she was younger and seeing how completely different life was like back then. We think of it now as a much simpler time, with no instant messaging and social media to worry about. But they had their own challenges, things such as war. War divided families, caused times of tension and also broke many hearts. Sometimes in our fast paced and always on lives these days we forget to remember what life must have been like back then. The memories these people still hold and pass on to generations is so precious. I can honestly say I am truly grateful for everything that has happened and it’s the basis of what makes me who I am today.

At the moment the UK is being hit by storms and a lot of train travel has been delayed or cancelled today. Hopefully my train journey back home tomorrow is not so eventful and I have minimal impact. But lets see what the next challenge is . . .