Yet Another Holiday: Some Musings About Family.

[uRNmyway]

My family is an extremely close one. We all grew up in the same general area, with only 2 exceptions (an uncle who visited every few years and an aunt every summer). My immediate family is even closer. We see each other as often as we can, and keep very little from each other. Some find that strange, but it's just how things have always been for us.

All of that changed for me a few years ago. I had always had it in the back of my head to try nursing in the US. I mostly thought I would attempt travel nursing though. Then I met my fiance, born and raised in Georgia.

We visited a few times and talked about moving there. When I got pregnant, we realized it was the perfect time to follow through. I wasn't working due to my pregnancy. I would not need to worry about finding work for a while because of my maternity leave. So we picked up and left.

My fiance had brought up the subject of how hard it would be for me, how lonely I would be without my family. I argued that I would be fine, "That is why we have Skype and phones!"

Little did I know how right he was going to be. Not only did I think Skype would be enough, but I also believed in my delusional pregnant mind that I would be able to fly up twice a year, and that my beloved family would make a few trips down themselves (they all said they would). Since my arrival in the US, I have had 2 visits. My mother came when my daughter was born, and my father a few months later. My daughter is now 21 months old.

So here I was, a few days ago, thinking about Easter and how my family back home would be getting together for dinner, and I would be missing it again.

How did I get my mind off of it all?

Got on my smart phone and logged on to allnurses. Browsed, and thought of other things. And I realized that in a way, maybe a little bit of a sad way really, allnurses was kind of like my home away from home.

If I am lonely, I come on and socialize.

If I am upset, I come and vent to you guys.

If I have a question, I know someone will have awesome advice for me.

Like my family, there are a few here I look up to greatly. There are a few that just make me shake my head. There are also some I just love to hate!

I guess what I am saying is, thank you allnurses. Thanks to all of you who help me get through this. I know there are many on here who feel the same.

I don't know what I would do without the support on here. Thanks, and hugs.

[Debilpn23]

My family is an extremely close one. We all grew up in the same general area, with only 2 exceptions (an uncle who visited every few years and an aunt every summer). My immediate family is even closer. We see each other as often as we can, and keep very little from each other. Some find that strange, but it's just how things have always been for us.

All of that changed for me a few years ago. I had always had it in the back of my head to try nursing in the US. I mostly thought I would attempt travel nursing though. Then I met my fiance, born and raised in Georgia. We visited a few times and talked about moving there. When I got pregnant, we realized it was the perfect time to follow through. I wasn't working due to my pregnancy. I would not need to worry about finding work for a while because of my maternity leave. So we picked up and left.

My fiance had brought up the subject of how hard it would be for me, how lonely I would be without my family. I argued that I would be fine, "That is why we have Skype and phones!" Little did I know how right he was going to be. Not only did I think Skype would be enough, but I also believed in my delusional pregnant mind that I would be able to fly up twice a year, and that my beloved family would make a few trips down themselves (they all said they would). Since my arrival in the US, I have had 2 visits. My mother came when my daughter was born, and my father a few months later. My daughter is now 21 months old.

So here I was, a few days ago, thinking about Easter and how my family back home would be getting together for dinner, and I would be missing it again.

How did I get my mind off of it all? Got on my smart phone and logged on to AN. Browsed, and thought of other things. And I realized that in a way, maybe a little bit of a sad way really, AN was kind of like my home away from home. If I am lonely, I come on and socialize. If I am upset, I come and vent to you guys. If I have a question, I know someone will have awesome advice for me. Like my family, there are a few here I look up to greatly. There are a few that just make me shake my head. There are also some I just love to hate!

I guess what I am saying is, thank you AN. Thanks to all of you who help me get through this. I know there are many on here who feel the same.

I don't know what I would do without the support on here. Thanks, and hugs.

Jewell

beautiful post hugs being sent. Hope you, hubby and the little one have an awesome Easter.

[uRNmyway, ASN, RN]

Thank you all for the comments and hugs! I am glad my first attempt at an article is being well received!

[SleeepyRN]

Hi all I too live away from my family which is very hard since I have never lived away from home, I don't live that far only about 3 hours but with being in school full time and my husband working on the weekends it is hard to go back home. I just found you guys here tonight so I hope that in the future I too can also maybe meet new friends who could help me through this time, especially through the nursing school. I also live in Georgia.

Welcome to AN! My sister moved 3 hours from home when she went off to college. Even though it's not out of state, my sister and I only saw each other twice last year. So it's still hard. I'm glad you've come to this site. Best wishes :)

[SleeepyRN]

Thank you all for the comments and hugs! I am glad my first attempt at an article is being well received!

I loved the article and got a good chuckle at one part. Some posters we look up to, some we just shake our heads.... I had to laugh at how true that was and read it aloud to my husband. There was a period when I too lived away from family. I had NO ONE. My bf at the time (whom I had moved FOR) was not present in our relationship, and I was depressed and lonely. I feel for you. I'm glad you can come here :)