Monday 15 October 2012

Home thoughts from abroad

When Robert Browning wrote this lovely poem, and I'm sorry I can't give you a link to read it, blame the iPad, he was in northern Italy and thinking of spring back home in England.    But suddenly I in southern Italy in autumn have gone all home sick too. It's something I've always suffered from, hard to describe but a sad empty feeling that seems to take over early evening.  It has little to do with distance from the familiar because often as a child I'd be taken during the long summer holidays to stay with my Gran or to my cousins farm, both a few miles from where I lived and either have to be brought home after a few days or arrive with my case then refuse to stay at all.  
I did ask Mr FF last year before we embarked on our first long visit if we could  return if I got homesick, at the time he agreed but of course once I got sad there was no way we were going back and the feeling did pass.  I have everything I need here, including my husband, and I know that if I did go home, I am not even considering it, I'd instantly want to be back in Italy.  Strangely I only feel this way here in autumn, during high summer I am fine and equally strangely I may long to be in Italy when we are in Scotland but never in this heavy hearted displaced person way
Feel free to give me a good talking to, I'll be fine in a few days and boring you all again with tales from our glorious life in Lazio.

6 comments:

  1. I don't want to preach, but I know that when I feel like this (I suspect it's something to do with the menopause for me) I have to DO things. I could sit in front of the computer reading blogs, but that won't help. I go out for a long walk, visit friends, do some crafting, dance a bit, cook a lot - but I have to do. You may be different however.

    If you're feeling melancholy this may not be the best song to listen to, but it's a beautiful song, called "Home Thoughts From Abroad"
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c-jHdgbBaE

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  2. Oh, Jenny. Perhaps being away from home in summer is not such a problem because that's generally holiday time when we all hope to be relaxing somewhere different. For me, autumn is always associated with change - for so many years it meant a new school year, there's the new season, different colours, different light, different clothes, different food which can be really unsettling. I'd just say don't be hard on yourself. Indulge in a bit of pampering and it'll pass, with time. In the meantime, I'm sending you a big virtual hug! (Incidentally, I was just the same when I was younger and would cry to be taken home from my gran's or aunties houses which were only a few streets away from my own!)

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  3. My daughter used to drive me mad when she was little, she would beg to stay at Grandma's house (about 50 miles away) then would cry as soon as I left and I'd have to go and get her again.

    I hope you get over the homesickness, it is the most awful feeling.

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  4. Be sad, even cry a little, wipe those tears away and bless yourselves to enjoy another day. And if it persists come home. Home is where the heart is.

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  5. Can you cook yourself something hearty and stodgy as a bit of home comfort? I don't suppose the Italians go in for much in the way of stodge, but I reckon a steamed pud and custard would go down a treat! Hope you get over your 'autumn blues' soon and can enjoy your surroundings. xx

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  6. I'm fine when I'm away, o matter for how long, until it's time to go home ..... which is a bit back to front!!

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