Note: To go directly to the illustrated story I wrote, scroll down and feel free use the magnifying glass on the tool bar if you want to zoom in a little closer.
I wrote this little story to support someone I love whose parent has a job that takes them away for stretches of time. (Luckily, they are also home for big stretches of time!) They were very little at the time and I wanted to help them understand some of the reasons that someone you love might need to be away from you, and things that you could do to help yourself during that time.
Although I wrote it for a specific person and situation, it occurred to me as I was writing that this is true for many children, families and people all over the world. Military families, families that are separated by immigration, war or displacement, the need for a new start, illness, long distance love or 100 other reasons that people find themselves separated from those they care about. I thought of how hard it is to explain to children why a parent they love needs to be away and how important it is to help them grow strength and resilience inside themselves along the way.
So although the story was written for someone I love, with a little alteration to take out specifics, I’m offering it to you, whoever you are, for your children or yourself until you can all be back together as a family. Take your own drawings or photos and make it your own, with my blessing and best wishes for a beautiful reunion.
Distance, space and time have nothing on Love.
When someone you love goes away for a time
There are lots of great things you can do
To make you feel fine and help pass the time
Until they come back home to you
You can phone them or write them, email or Skype them
Or make them a card with your very own hands
You can send them a letter to make them feel better
When life takes them travelling to far away lands
You can show them you care and learn why they’re there
Discovering things that you never knew
A great explanation or new information
Interesting you in the things that they do
You can make plans to greet them the next time you meet them
Or send them a package of something they miss
You can surprise them when you recognize them
With the world’s biggest hug and the most special kiss!
If you’re in a tizzy you can get busy
Ask for some help from your family or friends
Read books, ride your bike, do things that you like
You’ll find time goes quickly when fun never ends!
When time seems long, you might have it all wrong
Counting the days they’re away in your head
To make time go fast till you see them at last
Try counting the days till they come home instead!
So when someone you love goes away for a time
Just remember that you always know
When you hug and kiss them and say that you’ll miss them
You send your love with them wherever they go.