Joanna

This is a sad day for me and yet a happy one too in a strange sort of way. The subject of my blip tonight is my youngest daughter Joanna, who has been the one who has stuck by me through thick and thin, in good days and bad and today might be the last time I see her for a very long time.
With the economic climate as it is, she and her boyfriend Gavin, have decided to quit Ireland and to seek their fortunes elsewhere. They are off to South America in a couple of days time. Due to spend two months in Ecuador followed by another two in Peru and the same again in Bolivia, they will then travel to South East Asia and on to Australia where they intend to settle.
When she was only a few weeks old, I watched as the doctors tried to revive her when she caught whooping cough and almost died. For several weeks she lingered in an incubator before becoming strong enough to be allowed home. They were dark times but she survived and has turned out to be the best daughter any Dad ever did have. I feel so sad that she feels that at this point she has no alternative but to flee the nest and head off into the big world.
I am happy too though. As a young adult she is doing what young adults must do and making her own way in life with a guy who loves her as dearly as her old Dad does. Pehaps even more so. I feel confident that he will be there for her no matter what. He's a great guy. One of the very best.
If I may turn to the Good Book for a moment, I can only wish them the Blessing of old. May the Lord cause His face to shine upon them. I'll miss you Joanna.
Do please excuse me but I really am not in the mood for blips, comments or anything much else tonight. Tomorrow is another day!