..Having Been Away…

..Having Been Away…

Just returned from the best holiday I never imagined I could have ever!

The place I wanted to be, Chiang Mai, Thailand. With the family I see too little of, with friends I was beginning to believe I would never meet, now so happy I have now done so, and making so many new friends among the local Thai community. 

I am surely going to miss you all, but not for any longer than I have to. Despite my age, in spite of my increasingly limiting physical capabilities, I will, just like Rambo, be back!

On previous visits to Chiang Mai I have stayed with my nephew’s family out in the sticks, always taken very good care of and always well provided for, and even having a small bungalow with all ‘mod cons’ built for me. Every effort made to ensure my comfort, and, in more recent years, transport due to my no longer being able to drive myself.

No complaints, not from me. Very happy.

But for his visit I elected to stay in a hotel in Chiang Mai, not from any discontent with previous arrangements but with a compelling desire to enjoy some of the pleasures already mentioned. I had every intention of spending at least a week or two at Doilo, but, as it transpired, my time was far too limited, my friends too many, my freedom to do all I wanted when I wanted to exceeded my greatest expectations.

I do not think my nephew and his family cannot forgive my selfishness, but, it appears they do have some kind of misunderstanding, despite my promise to stay with them on my next trip, and, sad to say, and, sadly, they do have some familial problems that I, as an extremely inept foreign speaker of the Thai language, I feel can be of no positive use to them. I am sorry! 

I also very much regret the division that has developed within the family. Life is too short for bitterness, especially bitterness that has been nurtured over more than twenty years! What is done is done. None of us can ever go back and undo all that has been done. 

Please, forget the past, dispel the bitterness, loose your pride, and find the love of the family once more.

You will all find it more supportive and much more fun!

Thank you, every one of you, for having made me so welcome again, the love you give me is truly incredible, totally unforgettable. 

Thank You Everyone.