Bon Voyage Mum & Dad

My Mum & Dad aged 76 & 77 respectively, live 200 miles from me in a beautiful seaside town on the south coast.

With everything that's happened in my household over the last two years, I have only managed to see them twice a year and I miss them so very much. We speak on the phone every week of course, but it's not the same. I purposefully don't tell them about all the traumas at home because a) it would stress them out and b) they couldn't do anything about it anyway. They are far better off left happy in the assumed knowledge that everything in my life is hunkydory.

Yesterday, they took off on the good ship Oriana for a cruise around the Mediterranean, visiting Barcleona, Cannes, Rome, Naples, Messina, La Goulette & Malaga amongst other places. Mum telephoned me when they had embarked and reached their cabin. She sounded tired but happy. We have agreed that I will not telephone the ship because it's a £3.00 a minute charge, but that she will be in touch. They have mobile phones but only switch them on when they're expecing a call! (I think that's an age thing). I wished them a happy time, put down the phone and inexplicably cried. I suddenly felt so isolated and alone. It's funny, how quite unexpectedly, you become worried about your parents, when they of course, will always say that it's their job to be worried about you. Perhaps it was knowing that they are out of touch for two weeks (although I probably could track them down if I really needed to).

I joked with her...

"Are you wearing all your jewellery or have you hidden some back at home?",

She laughed "Well, I'm wearing what I always wear and yes, there's other stuff hidden, you know where".

I said "Ok, I just wanted to be sure, because if that ship goes down, I don't do deep sea diving!"

She hooted "Well really!!"

"It's my hair and makeup and the contact lens thing" "I can't have water on my face". I said.

She tittered "Wait unitl I tell your Father!"

That reminded me of days gone by - she would utter that phrase when I had done something really naughty, like smack my brother or answer her back. How I wish I could have those days again. Someone to look after me, no worries and a comfortable cosy home.

Behind the jokes there is a serious note. I know they're getting older and I don't want to lose them. I need my Mum and Dad but I'm acutely aware that time is running out. Perhaps's it's my age and my sudden awareness of my own mortality, the worry I have for my children, my own tiredness.

I've visited the Oriana website. The ship has a webcam - it doesn't show much, but I could arrange with them to stand on the deck and wave at it at a particular time and day, so that I could wave back. Even better, I've taken a virtual tour of the ship and have even seen inside their cabin! What a hoot! Just wait until she phones. I will tease her that I've seen her at the dressing table, cup of tea by her side, heated rolllers in her hair, slippers by the bed - I can even describe the colour of the carpet and bedding. She won't believe it either, but it gives me some comfort. Technology is a wonderful thing.

There is no escape!!