Snubbed

In previous posts I have mentioned the fact that I miss the competition of basketball and the team aspect of sport. What I dont miss is the time away from the family.

I had just finished up a 1 year stint with the Townsville Crocs back in 2007 when I got some interest from a team in Wellington, New Zealand. Having heard good things about the league and never spent a lot of time in New Zealand, I decided to give it a go.

My time there was to be breif as I was an injury replacement for one of the American imports, so Jem with William and Jacob decided to stay behind until things were a little more definate and organise stuff from her end. This would ultimately mean being seperated for about a month, something we were both apprehensive about and found quite daunting. We were used to me spending a weekend away or the odd day here and there that comes along with professional sport, but a whole month was going to be tough.

It was the week before the last game of a 6 game contract, when Jem and the boys arrived. It had been such a great experience for me with seeing NZ and playing well, but a hellish time away from them. We are such a close nit unit that weeks away seemed like months. I spoke to Jem most days and I could speak to William as he was 3 and had some concept of what I was doing. Jacob on the other hand didnt have a clue why daddy had gone on a plane and left.

Before I left he was such a little daddy's boy, always wanting my cuddles in preference to Jems, making it even harder for her in my absence. I also unfortunately missed his 1st birthday, something I really struggled with. But the time had come and they had finally arrived in Wellington, (much to Jems relief as the flights had been massively delayed and she had to spend the night in a hotel with them both).

As they came into sight I could see Jems beautiful smile and William galloping over to me for a cuddle, it was wonderful. But little Jacob was behind the stroller, defiantley hiding from me and snubbed my attemp at a hug. My little boy didnt want me to hold him? I couldnt believe it, it crushed me. At that very moment, I decided that could never happen again. I would never put myself and my family in that position.

By midway through the next day all was back to normal and little Jacob had completely forgiven me for going away for so long. Its hard to see your own child disappointed in something, but when they are disappointed in you its heartbreaking.

Being at home with the kids every day can get a little tiring, but then again I get to see them every day. Perfect.