I was missing Bruce, the cats, and our home badly around the second week of my stay in Penang, Malaysia. I also had a lot activities to keep me busy during that time.
At the end of my trip, I was ready to come home. I thought that it was going to be hard emotionally for me at the airport. But a few things happened that took my attention away from focusing on the parting. Met a friend. Trying to use up my pre-paid phone card. My cousin brought me some books. It was emotional, but not as badly as I remembered the last time I left the Penang International Airport. With free wifi at KLIA, I was still able to call my Mama. Heard my Papa. I even called from Taipei.
This morning, I woke up to an empty house. Bruce left for work. Suddenly I got this rush of missing my parents. To the point of shedding tears. I still am, right now at work, writing this. I guess you are always a baby in your parents’ eyes no matter how old you become.
I don’t know why this came so late. I think it’s emotional jet lag. I am already looking forward to seeing them again, be it here or there.
Not easy.
My parents took me to their favorite duck rice place on the second day of my Penang visit. Yummy.
John, i totally understand how you feel. Thats exactly how i feel everytime when i left my parents in the airport. On the one hand you miss your other half like mad during the holiday and then when you are ready to go home, you gonna miss the other half of your soul in penang BADLY. Now i got a name for it – Emotional jet lag, what an accurate name for it.
Seems like i m not alone here… had been through few times of parting and emotional jet lag in last 4 years… tears just drops while reading your words, out of my control. Parting is never easy for me, especially with my beloved family.
John, been listening to both of your podcasts for a year. I’m really loving them. The Penanghokkien podcast has brought me miles closer to our hometown, Penang, when I was in Australia. And Ongline podcast was my best channel of releasing stress while studying, and it still is… so, a big big THANKS for u… u are just wonderful!!!!
well, don’t forget to smile! ^_
Thanks Pat and icydog. I just know that I won’t be alone feeling this. Thank for listening, and for all your support. Yes, never forget to smile.
Hi John, So touch after reading your deepest sharing… I have same feeling too..
I missed my mum & my family too…
I’m really glad to meet up u & both your parents while I’m in Penang last LNY.
I can feel their loves to U, I’m sure they are proud of U on whatever u had done…U are such Lucky boy… hehe 🙂
May u & your parents lives Happily & stay healthy always 🙂
p/s: Uncle & Aunty, Thanks again & I’m glad to meet both of you 🙂
David,
Thanks for all the kind words. 🙂
I think we all know the feeling of leaving our family behind and pursue our career elsewhere. Same wishes back to you.
My parents absolutely think you’re a great kid, and I feel the same. I’m glad we get to meet, and I hope it’s a beginning of a great friendship.
Hi John,
Yes I can totally relate to your feeling. It was definitely hard to say goodbye knowing that it will be months if not years to be able to see my family again. My mom, sister and I were sobbing so badly at the airport yesterday. I was having the greatest difficulties to keep my eyes dry, driving back from the airport. Anyway hope that you are feeling better now and can’t wait to chat more with you and Bruce.
oh dear, John, you are right, we are always the baby of our parents no matter how old we are, and they are always the dearest person nomatter where we are. I share the same feeling as yours. Cheer up, you are not the only one who miss home.
My parents still manage to “flood” the airport every time they send me off, and it still breaks my heart to see mum and dad with their teary eyes. The home sick grew stronger and stronger for each of the year I left Penang. I love the Island home and my family dearly and aside from having emotional jet lag, I’m also suffering from SPTS now (Severe post trip Syndrome) thanks to your PH podcast I felt home is just a click away, and it also bring back a lot of fond memories from childhood that tie us to Penang. It was a great pleasure meeting you at little Penang market, I know I had to tell you what a great job you’ve done in bringing Penang to our doorstep, no matter where we are. wish I can catch the next plane home…. – tanny
Thanks Kenny, Jeff, Tao Hu Huao, and Tanny.
I’m doing better today. I will be talking about my experience on my next podcast. Definitely a first for me. Thanks for your support and concern.
Hallo John, I totally understand what you meant regarding Emotional Jet Lag. I always tried my best not to cry in front of my parents during parting. Its really nerve wrecking. If I have tears, then they will have too. So I really bit my tongue and not shown my emotional side. Instead, I took time to have coffee and cakes with them, window shop around the airport. And when the time comes, I just gave kisses, walked down the escalator, waved again and walk as fast as I could…I never turn back…….so sad as I am typing now. 1 month to be with them is not enough. And to have my parents to wait for me every 2 years…They ‘ve changed so much every 2 years when I came back to be with them……..XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Garfield, thanks for sharing your experience. I think unless you’ve gone through it yourself, it’s hard to really comprehend.