Saturday 1 June 2013

A message in a bottle...

To my brothers... Just throwing it out there...





"Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connections can supply..."  ~Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814

Recently, after many years, I had FTF time with both my brothers in the same place, for a weekend. Unexpected extended contact because JB and Ms. 16 were sick and not able to travel.

This weekend was not in many ways what I expected and in some ways everything the same again.

My brothers have for many years lived long distances away from me, I was the one who put down roots and stayed. (Not sure why - possibly life as a mining brat made me want a 'home town' for my children - but that is another post for later.)

They have both travelled, had careers, married, had children and moved along with their lives, always while keeping close contact with each other.
They have similar interests, skydiving , flying and making remote control aircraft (note I do not say 'model planes') photography and tech.

My older brother was 'cable guy to Melbourne' and I have seen many photos of Melbourne from the top of some building he was working on. He had a rough time recently with work problems and has now come out on top with a new job he likes, and with a gold Virgin travel thingy (sorry we live in a Qantas town) goes to jobs in many cities.

My younger brother works as a project manager running projects that include installing large electrical bits on mine sites and the coordination of same. He doesn't really like the travel for work, preferring to be home.

Being in their company over a weekend for our Mother's special birthday, made me realise they were still the same, talking in the same language, riffing off each other, sharing new tech toys and basically enjoying time together before one headed home.

They picked me up at the airport, took me to run an errand (picking up something I had bought - thank you Hoi) and talked, joked, answered phones and worked on the hour journey in the car.

I remember watching from the backseat on the freeway as one brother talked through a problem with work colleagues and the other answered a question from his Perth office, marveling at how they both use the tech available to be tuned in and online. The funniest thing was a new GPS voice on one of their phones  and their attempts to change it.

I like that they connect with each other, it is a good thing to see them using tech. and offering advice, sharing stories. They both work at the pointy end of tech. installation and talk a similar language, but not mine. :)

Unfortunately they don't use social networking online - so they are not yet in what I consider 'my space' (not the app, the place) where I dwell online.
My older brother shuffles around the edges joins a few things and what he sees no use for, leaves. My younger brother has no good opinion of social networking and always talks - privacy issues - always.

I will talk about something I saw via twitter, a comment from a cousin on FB or a connection I made with a friend via their blog or website - I could be talking Martian, as they hear  'social networking' and think 'over sharing personal information' and imagine the worst. They feel I need to be shown the error of my ways, and shake their heads at my foolishness.

What I get from this...

They love me and still would protect me from the harsh world, and i love them for it.
As for making me feel like I am 10 years old again, well grrrrr :))

A 'message in a bottle' to you both (you will never see...:)

I enjoyed watching you 'work the room' for Mum at her birthday, taking photos, taking with cousins, aunties, uncles and friends.  The care you took to see that she enjoyed her day and the many kindnesses of the day.

I'll see you at the next significant family occasion and socially network with you then. I love you both, fly high.

(meanwhile if you ever join/discover twitter my handle is @kalgrl)

Kisses and hugs.
Teresa
Your sister online and loving it..
@kalgrl

June 1st 2013
#blogjune


 

3 comments:

  1. This made me tear up a little. What a lovely post - sentiment and writing.

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  2. Hope the bottle washes up on their shore sometime. Love the watercolour background!

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  3. Can't agree more with LibraryKris.
    PS, looking forward to see your sewing =)

    ReplyDelete