13.8.10

home


Yesterday I was homesick.  It snuck up on my while I wasn't looking and completely suprised me.  Nearly bowled me over in a shower of tears at a meeting at work.  Not a great look really.  I had to excuse myself to the bathroom, stand in front of the mirror and talk myself out of bursting into tears.  I've never done that before (stand in front of a mirror and talk to myself.).  I felt like I was in a movie. Except I wasn't.

All of a sudden I was overwhelmed by a longing to be back in Australia.  I think it was a picture I saw on someone's blog - that, and an email from home.  I love winter in Australia.  It's almost my favourite time of the year.  The crisp mornings, the dampness under foot, the light that is gentle and kind with a faint glint of warmness.  I miss the colours of Australia - the silver greys, olive greens and muted browns.  When I first visited Europe I can remember thinking of the old european masters "that's why they painted everything so green".  Because it is over here. I miss my friends and my family.  I miss seeing my nephews grow from babies into little boys.  I miss weddings and births and birthday celebrations.  And mostly this doesn't bother me too much because I love Berlin and my life here is great.  But yesterday it did.

But thankfully these days don't last very long and today when I rode my bike to work I looked to my left and saw the TV tower and thought - wow, I'm in Berlin. How cool is that?


I still haven't really found a remedy for homesickness and I don't think talking to your reflection is necessarily the best answer.  I'm interested, what do you do when you miss home?

10 comments:

Jess said...

I don't live all that far away from my home town compared to you (its just an hours plane ride) but there are times when I really miss my family. I don't think there is much you can do to stop it other than try and stay in touch with loved ones online. And distract yourself with something that you love about the place you are in.

Ashley Sisk said...

Awwww....I've had those moments before. You should go home to visit soon. Can I come with you?

britni @ Antika Moda said...

This post is a good reminder for me that there is really no place like home. I still live in my hometown, and I'm excited to move on and live in new places (eventually we will), in my dreams of moving I don't often think of being homesick...so I guess for now, I'll apprciate home becuase I know one day I'll probably miss it

Diana Mieczan said...

Awww..I have moments like that too...and it always really hits me for a day or so and then everything goes back to normal...I have a trick...I always store my favourite candy from home that reminds me of home and when I feel down I have one...It does the trick for me..

Hope you are feeling better,sweetie:)

Hugs and have a relaxing weekend:)

Karli said...

Fabulous photos! My favorites are the first one, and the one with the spider webs - wow! Just beautiful! :-)

Stephanie said...

Yes... I know what you mean. But I don't know what to do about it, and I wish I did.

astitchaday said...

I live in Perth and my family all lives in Vic, so nowhere near as far as you, but when I'm homesick I just call my mum. And remind myself that the bush and victoria aren't going anywhere, and will still be there when I am too.
I'm glad you're feeling better now, it must be so very hard. The first photos are beautiful.

its simple love said...

Awe I am sorry my dear. I know the feeling of homesickness. And the feeling of having tears right behind my eyes. I think it's normal to miss your home. Just know you are normal! Maybe that helps?

Rachael

chelsea rebecca said...

Aw, I'm sorry you're feeling homesick! I know how a picture or memory can trigger that feeling. Hoping you are feeling better! Sometimes I explore the city I'm in with a good friend or bake something that reminds me of home to stop feeling homesick!

Katie said...

We miss you too! R is very happy that he's learnt (since Sunday night) that we're going to SA with you and Matthias and wants to start counting down the sleeps!