June newsletter

Welcome to the newsletter from Distance Families

DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS

“Repatriation is a voluntary or involuntary return to your passport country or home country. When this occurs, an expat or migrant becomes what’s commonly called a ‘repat’.
Some repats are so excited to be returning home they can hardly contain themselves. For others, even though they know it is the right decision, or the only decision for a myriad of reasons, they have emotions ranging from caution to dread. To complicate things, one half of a couple might be overjoyed and the other not so.”
Excerpt from Being a Distance Son or Daughter a Book for ALL Generations

Margot Andersen is no stranger to the ups and downs of repatriation. As the founder of the InSync Network Group, she supports globally experienced Australians navigating their return and rebuilding careers that reflect who they are today. She’s even gone as far as launching the InSync Club – a dedicated community created to support. Here’s a couple of great articles from her.
Home Strange Home: When coming home feels oddly foreign
Finding Your Way Back: Why community matters for returning expats
Like to learn more? You’re invited to join us for a webinar when Margot will share her expertise on repatriation.  

---

BOOK SERIES NEWS

​May was a month of rich back-and-forth with adult distance grandchildren whose stories will feature in Being a Distance Grandchild – a Book for ALL Generations. It’s been a true privilege to walk alongside them as they’ve revisited memories and reflections—and the connection has flowed both ways.
Here’s a glimpse of the feedback I’ve received as we’ve fine-tuned their story drafts.

I think that I have mopped up my tears sufficiently to reply. It is a well written piece of work. I certainly give permission for it to be used. 

​We love your writing!  Wishing you all the best and you know we will be shouting support from the sidelines.

​Oh my. I can’t speak. Tears. Your writing is excellent. I love this chapter. I don’t know how to say thank you for writing this. Thank you

I did get a bit emotional reading it. It reminded me of things from my past that have so strongly influenced my life and attitudes today.”

---

ON THE HOME FRONT

​This time of year brings a flurry of arts and cultural events to Auckland. After a couple of years of letting them pass me by due to travel and general busyness, I decided to make the most of it—and booked us up to the max.
I started with a real-life couple, two-hander stage play called In Other Words. It explored the effects of Alzheimer’s disease – standing ovation stuff – very moving.
During a recent holiday, we caught the National Youth Jazz Competition, where talented high schoolers from across the North Island wowed us. We proudly cheered on our son’s old school and loved every minute of the two afternoons of performances.
Back in Auckland, we soaked up the Aotearoa Art Fair and an organ concert at the Town Hall one Sunday. The following weekend, it was The Salt Path, a moving film 

​from the British and Irish Film Festival. It set in Dorset close to where family live.
The highlight was the Auckland Writers Festival—attending seven author talks & panels in all. It’s the largest book festival per capita in the Southern Hemisphere, and I came away enriched, even by sessions on topics I knew little about.
We rounded things off with a local comedy play in a quirky old pumphouse by the lake, just 20 minutes from home. Currently I’m eyeing the French Film Festival programme, wondering what to see next. And this month we’re booked to take my mum to a very British tradition, Last Night of the Proms.  I love it all and grateful the venues are reasonably handy and accessible.

​Take care until next time
Helen Ellis
 
*** Like to automatically receive this newsletter each month? You may register on the right ***
 
*** Please forward this newsletter to others who may enjoy it. Thank you! ***