Twinkling star…

There are times I wish I had a regular job – leaving in the morning to return home at the end of the day and, most of all, being at a convenient distance from my loved ones.
That’s what I wished last week, after I found out my dad had fallen ill. His condition was quite worrying and I was very reluctant to leave for Delhi the next morning.

I have never been as aware of distances as I was on that flight. I couldn’t stop counting the hours it would take me to get back if my father’s condition worsened. And I haven’t been as grateful for a wake-up call for the return flight as I was that time. Only when the wheels left the runway, was I reassured.

The story of a colleague passed through my mind a thousand times. She was abroad when her dad passed away. And when she got a phone call to say that her mum had died, she was thousands of miles away in Hong Kong. It happened to her again when her brother died. I had tears in my eyes as I listened to her story.

18 januari twinkling star

I am terribly grateful that I was able to be near my dad when he passed away a few days after my return. And I am thankful for all the wonderful moments we had together. I’ll carry those beautiful memories in my heart.

To all those travellers who spend part of their time abroad, I hope you’ll be as lucky as I was and are near your loved ones when you’re needed.

Caroline

Posted by:   Caroline  | 
Join the conversation Show comments

Rud

I know that feeling, had to rush home from Thailand suddenly a few years ago for the same reason. I was so happy the airline managed to push me aboard a flight to Bangkok while 50+ people were on standby!

Rud

I know that feeling, had to rush home from Thailand suddenly a few years ago for the same reason. I was so happy the airline managed to push me aboard a flight to Bangkok while 50+ people were on standby!

Jo Mulholland

I was with both of my parents, here in Sydney. Alone with my mother. (My son and daughter were in Europe).                                                                          With my son and daughter, when my father passed away.                                     “Een mens is nooit tevreden”, my mother loved saying.                                     I’ve been back to the Netherlands (Yes. KLM) five times, these 55 years in Australia.                                                                                                          My mother travelled back by ship, when her mother was nearing the end. 
I do hope I can do the trip at least one more time, while there are still enough relatives left in the Netherlands to catch up with. 
I’ll just write here: “The grass is always greener……….” before someone else does. 
LOVED my job (37 years) teaching primary school, copying my role-model, Meester Berretty, whom I copied, in so many ways, as his pupil, in the 50s, in the Jan Ligthartschool, in Gouda! 

Jo Mulholland

I was with both of my parents, here in Sydney. Alone with my mother. (My son and daughter were in Europe).                                                                          With my son and daughter, when my father passed away.                                     “Een mens is nooit tevreden”, my mother loved saying.                                     I’ve been back to the Netherlands (Yes. KLM) five times, these 55 years in Australia.                                                                                                          My mother travelled back by ship, when her mother was nearing the end. 
I do hope I can do the trip at least one more time, while there are still enough relatives left in the Netherlands to catch up with. 
I’ll just write here: “The grass is always greener……….” before someone else does. 
LOVED my job (37 years) teaching primary school, copying my role-model, Meester Berretty, whom I copied, in so many ways, as his pupil, in the 50s, in the Jan Ligthartschool, in Gouda! 

HJ

I know that feeling. Had to go home quickly and was glad they managed me to get aboard allthough it seems to be overbooked, To be Frequentflyer is not to be proud on for your loves being  at home however really has a lot of privelleges

HJ

I know that feeling. Had to go home quickly and was glad they managed me to get aboard allthough it seems to be overbooked, To be Frequentflyer is not to be proud on for your loves being  at home however really has a lot of privelleges

Suzanne

Hi Caroline,

Just wanted to say, You are such a good blogger.

Suzanne

Hi Caroline,

Just wanted to say, You are such a good blogger.

Marcelo H

Im sorry Caroline… I may say that you’re not alone… I lost my grandmom few months ago and she was like a mom to me.
Don’t worry because the time will fix your felling, just try to remmember your dad as a good person, in his best moments.

Marcelo H

Im sorry Caroline… I may say that you’re not alone… I lost my grandmom few months ago and she was like a mom to me.
Don’t worry because the time will fix your felling, just try to remmember your dad as a good person, in his best moments.

MMM

Bit odd to put a double click add to KLM’s HongKong trips in such a story ?

KLM

@MMM, you’re right.

MMM

Bit odd to put a double click add to KLM’s HongKong trips in such a story ?

KLM

@MMM, you’re right.

Bijke

Hi Caroline , als a former collegue I expierenced something similar. My dad was already ill wen I had to go back to work after the birth of our baby. I was scheduled to be back on à sunday, however before we could leave HOngkong (yes also ) one of the engines broke down and we had to go back to The hotel..The next day we had to diverse to BKK so…to make à long story short, we arrived tuesdaymorning at SPL. Two days late! In my 15 years of flying with KLM that had never happend to me!, On my way home my mom called, hurry up she said, and even though my dad could not respond anymore, I was there when he passed away that same morning..

Bijke

Hi Caroline , als a former collegue I expierenced something similar. My dad was already ill wen I had to go back to work after the birth of our baby. I was scheduled to be back on à sunday, however before we could leave HOngkong (yes also ) one of the engines broke down and we had to go back to The hotel..The next day we had to diverse to BKK so…to make à long story short, we arrived tuesdaymorning at SPL. Two days late! In my 15 years of flying with KLM that had never happend to me!, On my way home my mom called, hurry up she said, and even though my dad could not respond anymore, I was there when he passed away that same morning..

reneS

Mijn condoleancees Caroline, veel sterkte de komende tijd!

reneS

Mijn condoleancees Caroline, veel sterkte de komende tijd!

Patrick W.

Och lieverd, gecondoleerd! :( sterkte…xxx

Patrick W.

Och lieverd, gecondoleerd! :( sterkte…xxx

Alex

when i see a big star, i always think there is the place where my grandmother and uncle have a new beautiful life,and someday i will meet them again, i miss them.but they are not as far as we think. i send yo a big hug

Alex

when i see a big star, i always think there is the place where my grandmother and uncle have a new beautiful life,and someday i will meet them again, i miss them.but they are not as far as we think. i send yo a big hug

Darius

My codolences Caroline. I am a regular reader of your blog and understand. My daughter is cabin crew at Kingfisher and I always fret thinking about an event such as this

Darius

My codolences Caroline. I am a regular reader of your blog and understand. My daughter is cabin crew at Kingfisher and I always fret thinking about an event such as this

Claudia

Gecondoleerd Caroline. Superknap dat je het verhaal hier deelt. Heel veel sterkte de komende tijd.

Hannah

I much prefer invtfmaoire articles like this to that high brow literature.

Claudia

Gecondoleerd Caroline. Superknap dat je het verhaal hier deelt. Heel veel sterkte de komende tijd.

Ømår Reyes

My deepest thoughs to your beloved father, Caroline!  From above he’ll caring you when you are flying in the skies.
 

Ømår Reyes

My deepest thoughs to your beloved father, Caroline!  From above he’ll caring you when you are flying in the skies.
 

Remon

my sincere codolances dear caroline. tonight i will pay again attention to those wonderfull stars.

Remon

my sincere codolances dear caroline. tonight i will pay again attention to those wonderfull stars.

Anonymous

Hi Caroline,
How many times a person met someone which really like? not much.
How can I learn the crew names. They traveled from Toronto to Amsterdam KL 0692 Feb 5, 2012.
How many times a person help someone which really change their life. Thank you

nezihi

Hi Caroline,
How many times a person met someone which really like? not much.
How can I learn the crew names. They traveled from Toronto to Amsterdam KL 0692 Feb 5, 2012.
How many times a person help someone which really change their life. Thank you

josberru@hotmail.com

My sincere condolences Caroline… I´ve read all your posts and you are a great worker. God bless you in the air and keep you safe always :D

josberru@hotmail.com

My sincere condolences Caroline… I´ve read all your posts and you are a great worker. God bless you in the air and keep you safe always :D

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Loading