As I waved off a client at Edinburgh airport last week, it was with such a mixture of emotions. This most remarkable lady was undertaking such a huge journey.
Now I do dislike the phrase, ‘my journey’, when used by X factor contestants and the like, but today, the ‘literal journey’ was to Australia, and the subject, an 84-year-old granny. The ‘emotional journey’ was leaving her life, house and friends of 20 years to emigrate and join her daughter in Perth.
Empty Nest
Every year before the flood of students head off to university for the first time, there are a considerable number of articles focused on empty nest syndrome. They focus on the loneliness and lack of purpose felt by mothers (and I generalise) who are reeling from the sudden loss of their role.
I have, to my shame, rather scoffed at this when my kids are at boarding school and husband away soldiering. I mean, surely sending your kids away to school at 8 years old, to save them from changing schools every 1-2 years, is far more hardcore than waving goodbye to your 18-year-old who will no doubt be back for food/clean clothes and cash in a few weeks…
Like so many others, lockdown and the closure of schools was an exhausting time of home schooling and endless cooking. Intermixed with a very subdued 18th birthday and the exam fiasco, the upside was the joy of being altogether. It’s been 10 years since we have spent more than 8 weeks living under one roof.
However, by September, my younger 2 were back at school, “trapped in” due to Covid-19, and my eldest had started University, trapped but still needing cash! Husband – well he’s at least in the country if frenetically busy, so rarely seen. I, thank goodness, had a client who really needed my help – after 5 months of being an essential linchpin, the empty nest was looming. Because we all need to feel needed and valued.
The Trials of Lockdown
Earlier in the year, when we were blissfully unaware of the gathering storm clouds, this lovely lady was selling up and moving to Australia to be with her daughter. Then Covid-19 shut down the housing market, all flights, all visa applications and all social contact.
We all have our stories over the last 6 months, but some are filled with such hardship and worry, that people have had to endure on their own
Success
At the first moment of the lifting of restrictions in Edinburgh, I stood on her doorstep, and we discussed how I could support 
her. Since then Savills had sold her house within 10 days, we sold the majority of her furniture and treasures at auction through Franklin Browns and Lyon & Turnbull, and the rest she gave away.
I have thanked the ‘removal powers that be’ we used Claire Rubly at Doree Bonner International – talk about going the extra mile – as we packed her remaining possessions to be shipped off to Australia. We have laughed and we have cried, and we have waited and waited until the Australian Visa finally came through and flights could be booked.
Relocation to Australia
Then came the day where we said goodbye. And although this lovely lady was terribly grateful for my help, and perhaps she couldn’t have done it on her own (she is pretty amazing so it’s up for dispute!), I too am very grateful.
It has been a wonderful few months of using all my hard-earned knowledge to ensure that the job would be done. It would all be ok – the house will sell, and we will clear it and pack up in time. And how glorious to have met someone full of stories and life experiences that I have enjoyed spending time with and, in turn, has made me feel good about myself. Needless to say, we were both a bit teary as she headed off to a summer in Oz and her next chapter.