Family coming home for Christmas

My niece, her husband and 2 teenage children are flying out to us here in California. Her mother, my sister, isn’t able to fly, but we will be flying to London in January to spend a week with her there. Two long distance visits to look forward to!

I have both my children home with me for Christmas, the first time for ages. My daughter lives in Gibraltar and married a local chap this year; both will be with us, as well as my son (who normally works over Christmas but is free this year).

We do have one unhappy situation; my sister and her family were due to join us but her son has developed cancer (only 24, so sad); I don't know whether they will still want to come. I hope they do, but they may not feel up to it.

Yes, my son and DIL coming from Calgary, Canada. So excited, and hopefully next year going to see them for Christmas.

Congratulations on your joyous news, grannyactivist!
And to you Mrsdof for the good recovery of your son and his partner.
I can feel the anticipation building!
Safe travels to all - and I haven’t even finished reading this thread.
To all of you this Holiday Season - Cheers❣️

Awe wonderful news so pleased for you. Xxxxx

Have a fabulous time, I had an early baby, she was’t very well and I had to leave her behind in The ICU but she is very robust now, nearly 50 years on.
It’s so lovely waiting for them to come through those doors isn’t it. Enjoy.

That is wonderful grannyactivist!

What lovely news. Enjoy every minute 😊

My daughter and family live in Turkey on an army posting and will be there for 3 years. My only grandchild is 3 and I haven't had any hugs since July. I am so excited at seeing them again next weekend when they will be home for Christmas.
I can feel your excitement Grannyactivist and wish you a wonderful time with your family too.

So delighted for you granny activist. What a special Christmas, enjoy.

Another old timer here. My heart sings for you, ga. This will be a Christmas to remember. Enjoy every moment.

I’ve had a text to say my daughter is switching off her phone as they’ve just boarded the plane. 😁

I’ve enjoyed reading about other families in similar situations and I commiserate with those who won’t see their loved ones this year, for whatever reason.

I’m so grateful that we live in an age where technology is able to bring families together ‘virtually’ - because of this I have a super relationship with my granddaughter, even though we’re on different continents.

Ahh that's lovely Grannyactivist.It's what Christmas SHOULD be about.No amount of presents and decorations could ever make you feel as excited as this.
Hope you all have a wonderful time and lots of hugs .
Merry Christmas .

Not for Christmas, but my son and his wonderful Chinese wife were finally able to bring their two year old son over to the UK in August. He was the result of their 7th round of IVF, thankfully a big, bright and healthy boy, and to meet him, with my other GC at last, was indescribable. Precious memories.

Thank goodness for video calls. When my own children were small there was no internet, we’d have been grateful for phone calls. When I was small we had no telephone and grandparents waited eagerly for a letter and photos. I’m so glad this little one is thrilled to chat “face to face”, through a mobile phone!

This such a lovely thread I have enjoyed reading it so much and I wish all the families that are getting together after a long time apart a Wonderful Christmas!!

In 1963 my uncle and his young family went to Australia as ‘ten pound poms’ and my nana thought she’d never see him again - and she never did, she died in 1972 before they’d ‘made it’ out there. Later he had a very good lifestyle and came on visits back to the UK, but all my nana ever had were weekly phone calls. Knowing this I’m so, so glad we have real time technology so that I have been able to share in all the day to day events of my NZ family.

Wonderful news grannyac. Thrilled for you I can say my first and only grandchild will also make it back for Christmas if plans go well and reach home on 23rd. So I am feeling your joy and anticipation xxx

How lovely GA! I hope by now they have arrived safely and you are enjoying a wonderful reunion. I know that feeling of standing at Heathrow so well, we always try to get there early and then have ages to wait in anticipation! Our family arrived from Australia last week and we have just all spent the weekend together in Cornwall for youngest DD's wedding, such a wonderful celebration, and now starting to gear up for Christmas - such a joy for the GCs to be here to help us decorate the tree and help with the preparations.

You'll make precious memories, I hope you have a wonderful time. Happy Christmas.

They’re home!
Thank you for sharing my joy and recounting your own experiences, I’ve enjoyed reading them all. 🤗

It is good to read some happy news, GA. Enjoy your time with your family.

Have a wonderful time with them all. 27 weekers are brainy I think. More brainy that usual. My 18 year old granddaughter has just finished her school leaving and topped her school in almost every subject. I laugh and say it is the 3 months of oxygen and breathing apparatus she had when she was born but I have heard similar things of other premmies so just maybe they might have super charged brains ?
Have lovely you are all together. New Zealand is a long way from the UK, even further than Oz.

What a joyous, sharing thread! So many of us get that Heathrow feeling at this time of year. Wasn't there a BA Paddington Bear advert made?
Anyway, have a wonderful Christmas together. (The town has put on a good show as usual.)

I am not surprised you are getting excited! Have a wonderful family Christmas!

I’ve just caught up with this thread.

So pleased for you GA, I remember your worries in those early days. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family.

Lovely to read of the excitement of so many others looking forward to seeing family again.