My Unexpected Trip To Amsterdam To Have Coffee With Opa

My biological grandfather passed away a few years ago. I knew it was coming at some point. After moving to Canada I knew that eventually, I would get that dreaded phone call from the old homeland informing me a family member had passed away or was about to. At which point you’d have to ask whether jumping on a transatlantic flight with virtually no notice is the right investment of time and money. With his funeral being planned for literally days later, it was impossible to even attempt to fly back and get there on time. And that’s the problem. When something urgent or unexpected happens, you’re not going to make it back fast enough if you live this far away. After being in Canada for almost twelve years now, I’ve missed weddings, funerals, divorces, birthday parties, and many other events. Some I was invited to, others I didn’t even know about and found out about after the fact. I’ve tried sending postcards when I did know. Because it’s the thought that counts, they say.

Homesickness

T…