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[Dragonlady]

deleted

out of date

[dixie]

My list is a special/major events kind of list. The two hardest ever were:

Special - my dad retired when I was in Honduras and I couldn�t be there. But I wrote a speech that a co-worker of his read. From what I was told, it made an impact. At least I was able to express how proud I was, even if it was through the mouth of another.

Major - my grandfather passed away when I was living in Torreon. Not that far away, but I didn�t have a lot of money and my parents insisted I not return. It was insanely difficult not being there to support my mother.

When I was in Honduras I also missed one of my best friend�s wedding. I moved in August and she was married a couple of months later.

Thanksgiving I always miss when living away, although that is more immediate family (who I keep in close touch with) so it doesn�t much bother me.

Christmas I also always miss, but typically my parents come down a few days later and stay with me for a month or so, visiting and travelling.

[GueroPaz]

Too many to list, but you get used to it.

I used to make it a tradition to be at the hospital when my grandchildren were born, but after 3 or 4 times, I was in Mexico, or the baby was in Ireland, etc. Thanksgiving dinner started to die out after 1998, when I had lentils in the camp for Zapatista desplazados. Living in Thailand, the folks don't celebrate Christmas except to ask the fattest White Monkey teacher to dress up as Santa Claus, and it's a full day of work, dressing up and then teaching. You start celebrating other holidays (yesterday was Father's Day!).

At least we had a great family reunion this year at my youngest son's wedding in Ireland.

[hlamb]

I've missed more things than i can count. Mostly it's no big deal because my family are good about visiting me so we make our own celebrations here. But I was upset to miss the preparations for my brother's wedding. I was able to be at the ceremony but I felt a bit out of things when I didn't know about any of the plans. I missed my best friend's wedding and didn't get to meet her child until he was a year old. Again,I felt like I was missing out on something, but I've learned not to dwell on it. After all, it's my choice to be here, and the people close to me keep in touch. And I'm making my own crazy memories that make for good stories when i am home. Still, it is hard.

[GueroPaz]