He set off this morning for Beijing with a small group from his school. Over the next 12 days he will be doing cultural exchanges, visiting local sights and mostly trekking on the Great Wall of China for 6 or 7 days.
He is so excited about the trip. I am lucky to have travelled the world, but Sam has only travelled extensively in Europe. So he has no idea how different China and Beijing are going to be. How exciting for him, and me!!
Sam and I are incredibly similar in personality, and sometimes we clash. I am immensely proud of him, and have a very deep love and respect of all he has achieved in life thus far, and the way he goes about his life. I am striving to give both my boys the childhood that I never had. The life experiences that Rebecca and I give Sam and Ben should make them well rounded individuals, who understand that differences between people, races, nationalities and cultures are to be celebrated, not feared.
I am already missing him so much and worried that I found his new tube of toothpaste that I bought for the trip in his den, when I got back from dropping him off!!
I can't wait for him to come back full of stories and experiences. I've even lent him my Lumix!!
Wow, sounds like a trip of a lifetime for sure! 15 seems young, but I guess he is in good hands and in a well structured group. I am one to talk. I took off to Australia at the age of 18 and never had been anywhere in my life. As much as my parents wanted me to go and experience it, I am sure they were filled with worry and apprehension. I know this now because I am a parent. Wish him and you all the best, he will have a fabulous time. Oh and great pic, he kind of looks like "dad? Do we really have to have this parting photo?" Hopefully he will follow in your footsteps and take some great pics with the Lumix.
Love your commentry Sean - what a lucky lad going to see the sights of the Far East already! I'm sure he'll have a fabulous time (and i'm sure he'll get toothpaste from somewhere...that's where his newfound surviving skills will come to play!!). I'm all excited for him and you!!
Lovely words about your son, Sean. I think giving your children life experiences and in particular, travel experiences, teaches them so much. The more they know about different nations and cultures, the more open and accepting they will be.
Lovely bracketing too :) All areas nicely exposed.
@newbie@sparkle@stuckinoz Thank you all, apparently he does have toothpaste, so no need to hold the plane or open the window! I am touched by your words about Sam and my commentary. It is obviously very personal to me, my relationship with my eldest, so it means a lot to receive your kind words. I am sure that this trip will change and enrich him.
Sam is going to love his experience of travelling to a very different part of the world, and experiencing a very different culture! 8) Sean, your words strike a chord with me so much. Like you, my husband and I have tried to give our kid a childhood and a family environment we never had (and would have wanted, in hindsight, for) ourselves. And we encourage him to travel, because travelling will open up his eyes and his mind and help him learn to appreciate new things, different things, and other lifestyles. Great shot of Sam all packed and ready to go. He'll have such stories to tell you when he gets back. 8D
@myautofocuslife Thank you Livia, I really appreciate your words, and am pleased to have struck a chord with you. I can't wait for him to get back, and he isn't even at Heathrow yet!!!
How awesome for him! I wonder if every generation feels the same... as in trying to give their kids the childhood/s we never had... I'm the same with mine. I want them to have better (not talking about material - although some of that is cool too).. and to be able to have the skills and abilities to handle life.
All that said, this is a shot that you will both always remember :) He will come back with new eyes :)
@ozziehoffy Thanks Cassandra, I'm with you, The material stuff is easy, it is the love and life experiences and respect that are way more important. At Sam's age I had left home of a sorts. I don't blame anyone though I wish it had been different. If it had maybe I would have a relationship with both my parents now instead of the total lack of contact that exists between us.
Really loved reading your post on this shot Sean. I'm sure the next 12 days will go fairly slowly for you and super fast for him! What a wonderful opportunity he has. A little scary at 15 (just thinking of my eldest boy who's 14 doing that in a year's time!) but I'm sure with his travel experience already and his mates around him, it'll be all good.
@tulipgirl Thank Alicia, Rebecca, Ben and I are going away for a week too. I am a softie at heart, and have had tears in my eyes several times today already, including now! He'll be great, and will have a life changing time. Even though he is 6 ft 3", he is still my boy.
@seanoneill I hear ya!! When dad died we had had no relationship for many, many years. With my mother, it's mainly a strained one at best. I do feel that perhaps I'm not doing too bad considering Joshua, who is now 19, does speak to me (even if it's to ask for money and he doesn't live at home any more haha) and he tells me stuff about his life. I feel that I'm already one step in front of the relationship with my parents at that same age... so I'm happy :)
@ozziehoffy That strikes such a resonant chord. My mum is away with the fairies, living in some sort of la la land. My dad. Well he made up for his mistakes with me and my siblings in the way he brought up my younger half sisters, and I say good for him and them. Yet, he never phones me or wants to see his grandchildren and after years of trying to chase a relationship with him I've given up, and say more fool him. He has missed out on so much. I will never know or understand why. If you had grandchildren less than 2 hours from your front door, why would you deny yourself contact with them, even if it meant having to put up with me!
Lovely shot & wonderful words Sean, I am sure Sam knows how you feel & returns the love. I know when my father died the worse thing was we had never really talked about our feelings for each other & for that I am truly heartbroken but I know that he loved me & that helps a small bit.
What a fabulous opportunity for him! Shoot about the left behind toothpaste!! And what a super dad you are to lend him your camera! Hope that he has a safe and memorable journey and experience!
@sjodell He does Sarah. He texted me thi smorning to tell me that he loves me. That skinda cool for a lad of his age and size! Your comment about you and your dad is very sad. I think to an extent, our parents come from a generation where they find it almost impossible to show their feelings.
@seanoneill My dad never made up for it all... but I made my own peace years before he died. I took the same road as yourself, his loss. He knew none of his grandkids and had only met Joshua (who is now 19) only a few times. I don't mourn the lost relationship for my kids... I feel that they are better off without the issues brought into everyone's lives by him. I am just lucky that I am strong enough a person to stand on my two feet and hold my head high and be who I am and not be stood on :)
This is such a wonderful story, Sean. . .I am so happy for your children and their wonderful chances. And don't worry about the clashing. . .it's so natural and what is so gratifying is when they come out of on the other side. We went through so many tough teen times and I am now always so proud to say that my three young adults have turned into the most wonderful people in the world!
@lyno Thank you Lyn, I don't worry about it. My son, though only 15 is a very mature young man in many ways, and i think he understands that sometimes the pressure of providing for him and Ben, and Rebecca, can take its toll and lead to me being grumpy. He is also in no doubt how much I love him, which is progress in the generations.
Love this portrait of him and like even better the opportunities that you are giving him. Travel, and all that it brings with it is such an incredible experience for kids to see that their way is not the only way. Sometimes, when their veins are so full of testosterone and other such they find difficulty in constructing sentences, wish they were orphans and other interesting things. I try to show our kids how little some others have, how hard others have to struggle, how many opportunities they have, how endlessly we love them and how sky high their hopes, dreams and self expectations should be!!!! Matt is in his 4th year living in the States, his first in Uni and regularly manages to tell us he loves us!!!! I hope he has an absolutely splendid time and I am very sure that he will appreciate the chances you have given him and will grow into a wonderful man.
@humphreyhippo Thank you, yes I am sure it will be a life changing one for him. Nothing will be able to prepare him for the noise and size of Beijing, and then thrown in the Great Wall....
So glad to see him safely on his way Sean , I know there was a worry with his leg injury. What a lovely tribute to your son & how nice that fathers can actually say these important words, so many find it difficult to come out with such sentiments, too shy I suppose! My own father was a very reserved man & I never remember him saying he loved any of us children & he died at 57 but times are changed thank goodness!
The toothpaste will niggle!!! He will have a wonderful time & both your sons sound fine young men! You have done good!
I just love that!! we worry that he has forgotten his toothpaste, oh my, we parents are amazing!!.and you'll keep worrying until he gets back home because that is what being a parent is about!! He's going to experience so much, how right you are its the noise, constant noise , hooting, shouting never stops.......marvellous, and, yes, he'll be so grateful one day for giving him this expereience
That's a wonderful attitude. My daughters are three and seven and I have to fight the urge to keep them inside and hide/protect them for the world till they are about 40 :). Fortunately my wife is more realistic.
@happypat Thanks pat, and his strapped up fingers!!! Thankfully his body is tougher than his mind at times! You ar eright about Dads, but I am an urban dad who is not scared to show his feelings, and it has given me the most loving relationship with my boys. I am sorry about your dad, what a young age to die, but I am sure you know ho wmuch he loved you all. Thank you for telling me about Fife's shots, I've just had a good look at them. They have blown me away..
@fannyb Yes, I will worry until his flight lands, and worry about him eating enough, and staying healthy......Thankfully Ihave been advised that he does have toothpaste. I think he is grateful already, from what he has already said before he left. Thank you my friend.
@hjv I know Hubregt, thankfully I don't have daughters, for I fear I would be like you. If we open our children's minds to the world, it can only do good.
Aww Sean this is so touching! You are obviously wonderful parents to your boys giving them all the best oppourtunities in life, He will have an amazing life changing experience im sure! & you will get to share those moments through your beloved lumix! : )
@annbo Thank you Ann, We go without sometimes so they can do these sort of things. It is very important to me to give them every opportunity possible. Now I also know how much you love your family from your own albums, so for you to say that to me is very moving, thank you.
Sure he will come back richer after his trip !
I just have one question : How men, even young men, can manage to go on a trip for 12 days and just pack a little bag.....you're too strong ! I admire you ;)
He will have a wonderful time in China Sean, the culture, the people are just wonderful...Try not to worry, he will be back before you know it...Lovely words about your boys, i am sure they are proud of you too x
Wow, what a wonderful opportunity for him. I'm sure he will buy some toothpaste in Beijing. He is sure to come home with some fantastic memories and photos.
Lovely bracketing too :) All areas nicely exposed.
All that said, this is a shot that you will both always remember :) He will come back with new eyes :)
The toothpaste will niggle!!! He will have a wonderful time & both your sons sound fine young men! You have done good!
I just have one question : How men, even young men, can manage to go on a trip for 12 days and just pack a little bag.....you're too strong ! I admire you ;)