By now many of you may have noticed that I haven’t been posting regularly.
Or much at all, if the truth be told.
I’ve effectively been under an enforced ‘internet interlude’, partially of my own making, but mainly due to connectivity issues.
As I’ve shared in Bite of the Generational Sandwich, the main focus of our trip back to the US this summer was my father’s cancer diagnosis. We’ve extended our time here to be with my parents as long as possible.
I’ll be candid: dealing with my father’s condition and what lies ahead has taken almost all of my energy and focus for quite some time now. Writing has taken a back seat for the time being, and understandably so.
Still, I find myself awash in so many new subjects, having different thoughts, fresh ways of looking at old perspectives and beliefs. New angles, new ideas. My mind races and I’ve been jotting things down for future consideration.
I’ve continued writing, but much of it has been offline. Which brings us to the more pressing reason why I haven’t been posting much recently.
The calendar may say that it’s August of 2012, but don’t let it fool you: I’m held hostage in a connectivity wasteland, circa the electronic Middle Ages.
It is a long, involved story that centers mainly around the fact that many elderly people (I’m talking late-70s and older here) don’t exactly have state-of-the-art internet connectivity in their homes.
And why would they? So much of what the rest of us take for granted in our daily lives was invented after they reached retirement age.
So let’s just say that I’ve been languishing in the aforementioned internet hinterland, and leave it at that.
Little in the way of posting on my blog, virtual silence on Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn. Very little on Facebook, and even less on email.
Oh, and I did manage to squeeze in Skype sessions with my dear Jane at Wordgeyser and Maria at I Was an Expat Wife last month that were absolutely instrumental in keeping me connected, sane and on an even keel.
Seriously, those Skype conversations and some in person visits with several fantastic friends in North Carolina (including Carol at Pause and Smile) in mid-July have kept me going. I am a lucky, lucky gal indeed.
So I am alive, doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances, and grateful for every extra moment here with my parents.
I thought I’d end with a few bits and bytes that I want to share with you.
First up, I got a MAJOR shout out from my absolutely favorite British expat in Oz, Russell at In Search of a Life Less Ordinary, when he was interviewed by the Telegraph’s Suzi Dixon for Top Expats on Twitter. Good writer, good blogger, good soul. Profuse thanks to a great cyber friend and great guy.
Then another regular expat contributor at the Telegraph, the British Chris Marshall now residing in Spain, interviewed me for his article Why Have Expats Set the Blogosphere Alight?
Finally, Erin and my good friends over at Blog Expat ran a profile interview From the USA to the Netherlands.
I’m not entirely sure when I’ll emerge from my internet interlude, but it won’t be much longer. My apologies for not keeping up with so many of the great posts and articles written by so many other terrific bloggers and writers, but I will eventually catch up.
I promise.
Hi,
I’m so sorry to read your sad news. Our cyber life is one thing but real life is what counts and time out is good.
My thoughts are with you…
Carole
Thanks Carole. I’m looking forward to catching up on posts, PIP included!
Sometimes stepping back has to be a priority for a variety of reasons. It can be hard. But it is in those moments we reconnect with other parts of ourselves and rediscover the world with new eyes, insights and appreciation.
Glad you have emerged to let us know you’re hanging on in there and finding the positives despite the circumstances – as you always do.
Thoughts are with you.
Right back at you dear
From time to time, we all need to take time out to deal with real world issues. You’ve got your priorities right. You’ll be back before you know it. Hang on in there.
Thanks Jack. I’ve missed PTP and will catch up ASAP. Have enjoyed the Olympics – Andy Murray’s gold medal in tennis over Roger Federer was tremendous!
You have a lot of people pulling for you, Linda. Do what you have to do — we’ll wait. I’m glad our talk helped you in some way. It was so nice to meet you in person! You and your family are in my thoughts.
Thanks Maria, it did help, I enjoyed it immensely and we’ll do it again soon!
Linda,
Internet Interlude is a perfect name for this post! As you know, I have been in that same vortex for awhile now. So much to write, so many thoughts, and the lack of ability to get it out… right now. I know that your folks must love the fact that you have extended your stay. Sometimes I think that this thing called “life” can jump up and chomp you in the a$$, only to remind you to stop for a bit and reconnect with it and those you love.
It was great visiting with you and reconnecting; it was as if time had stood still.
Best to your father and the rest of your family. All too well, I know what you are going through. Cancer stinks, but the love we have for our family and friends is much stronger, in the end!
Hugs to you, Friend!
Thanks Carol, our conversation really was as if we were picking up where we left off! I’m looking forward to your writing about your summer developments. I’ll second John Mayer’s ‘say what you mean to say’ – ‘write what you mean to write’.
Thanks for the mention, Linda. Looking forward to having you back with us in due course and thoughts are with you during this difficult period. Make the most of the cyber break and catch-up soon
Will do, Russell, thanks. It will be fun to dive into the ‘archives’ and see what I missed.
Please don’t worry… We understand. When my father fell sick and eventually died of cancer several years ago it just blew me off course for so long. I was completely drained and almost unable to function “normally.” Time just helps – and meanwhile your link-ups and skypes will definitely help too. Do take care… I am going on vacation soon and am planning a “virtual shutdown” – deliberately – for three or four weeks!! Off the radar isn’t a bad thing sometimes…
Not only will your ‘virtual shutdown’ give you a well deserved break, Emma, it will allow me to catch up on all your posts I missed. I’ve been wondering about the Mailman for days!
Aha, yes! Enjoy catching up. And take care of yourself and your Dad meanwhile. Give him lots of kisses and hugs!!
Totally understand Linda – these things take as long as they take and there is nothing you can do about it. Glad to hear you are doing OK considering; I have been thinking of you. Big hug.
Thanks Carrie. Can’t wait to catch up on your posts and then get together for thee!
It’s been strange not having you around, but totally understandable in the circumstances. Life never makes complete sense until viewed in hindsight but it sounds as though you’ve made some adjustments that will help you through. Writing offline gives a sip at the font of inspiration, it’s such a different animal! And you have to make sense of what is happening in whatever way means something to you.
I hope the whole family’s pulling together in light of your recent loss and that you all extract the most you possibly can from the valued relationships you have with one another. So much to try to understand and appreciate and we only begin to see it when we become conscious of it’s finite quality.
You have such a web of support, the sunlight would be dimmed if all the good vibes and wishes directed your way had a physical form.
Thinking of you daily, friend.
What a beautiful image Aisha, of good vibes and wishes taking a physical form. Dimming the sunlight is even more incredible, thank you so much! Yes, our family is pulling together, and we are making sure we appreciate the time we have together and leaving nothing unspoken. As for the writing, it goes in various directions which is proving interesting.