Family – Page 11 – neilhayeswrites

Border: A short story

October 8, 2016September 18, 2019 neilhayeswrites2 Comments

How could it have come to this?

They are so beautiful when they sleep. This is the only time when they look innocent and peaceful now. How could anyone feel at peace in this place? The sun will be rising soon and another day will begin. Another day to hope and survive. Hope for what? That the world will begin to care. It seems like a never ending fight, with very little to win. When the final bell rings, will we be victorious? Or knocked out.

I feel torn inside, when I look at them, and the life they have. We ran from one war, one where death was a real possibility. But now we are in a different type of war. Most people in this place are good, just searching for a better life. But some need to be watched, and these are the ones that scare me. These are the ones that scare the world.

I feel like such a failure. Did I do the right thing? It cost all the money we had to get us here, money we had worked hard for. Now we have nothing and no one wants us. Yes, we are here illegally. But what choice did I have? It is hard to apply for visas or official help when the soldiers are just around the corner. He said it would be OK, he would get us to Britain, for a price. And Britain is a modern, caring country. Right? But we didn’t make it that far and now even Europeans are being looked at with distrust. What hope for people with our skin colour?

The sky is beginning to glow through the skin of our tent, another day. Yaya is stirring; seven years old but with the eyes of one who has seen too much already. She should be carefree and playing with friends, instead she protects her brother like a wolf. I am so proud of her, but wish it was for different reasons. Now, I must be strong and not show how I really feel. They cannot see the hopelessness inside me.

“Good morning my love. Did you sleep well?”, I ask. “Like I was on a bed of feathers”, she says with a smile. But she is not on a feather bed, far from it. But she is always so optimistic, she is strong for us.

Now Abdo begins to grumble, he is more of a complainer. Maybe that is the difference between men and women. Women always seem to get on with things, especially in our culture. But he is so young, all he feels is discomfort and doesn’t have to pretend for the sake of anyone else. He is the youngest, after all. Four years old and already transplanted and transferred so many times. Yaya puts a protective arm around him and welcomes him to another day, with a smile.

These are the loves of my life. Yaya, Abdo and Nadia, my wife, their mother. A beautiful, intelligent woman who also deserves so much better. The children crawl all over her, and she awakes with a smile and a laugh. Even here, there are times to make you smile and feel grateful. But soon we will step outside and join the queues for breakfast. There are good people here, who are trying to help us. But there is only so much they can do. Hopefully there will be some fresh supplies today.

A light rain is falling, this is the worst. The dampness seems to penetrate everything here. There is no escape. I step outside, and make my way to the aid station. Everyone looks unhappy and nervous, something is wrong. There have been rumours that there will be some sort of operation, to clear some of this wasteland. And here they come. I can hear the roar of the vehicles as they approach.

In a panic, I rush back to my family. As I get there, the police are approaching. They herd us into an area, away from the tents and shacks that are our homes. We have so little, how can they take it away?

Here come the machines, on tracks, carrying huge scoops in front. Ready to pile our lives together with all the others who live here. Live, it feels ridiculous to even use that word. We don’t live, we exist. I feel sick, useless. I am supposed to protect my family, that is every father’s job; no? But what can I do, other than wipe away the tears from my wife’s face. And kiss her and pray.

They call this place The Jungle. A jungle may be dangerous, but it is beautiful and diverse. This is no jungle, this is hell.

You Are Being Watched

October 7, 2016 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

Do you ever think that you are being watched? I know I am. Every day there are two people watching me. Big Brother, or maybe his Little Sister. They take notice of, and absorb everything I do. Nothing is missed, everything is noted. Do I sound paranoid? You should be aware of this too. If you have children, you are being watched.

You are your children’s most important teacher, you are the one who will teach them how a person should behave. So behave in a manner that is appropriate. In no way am I perfect, but I know when I am wrong and I try to change. All we can do is check ourselves; if we do wrong, then try better next time. So why do so few people care?

I guess I only began to notice it when I became a parent. When you spend more time with children and their parents, you begin to notice how they behave. And maybe realise why so many children behave badly, can’t concentrate and don’t follow the rules. Because their parents can’t and don’t either.

Let me relay a recent interaction I witnessed in a national park, between parents and their son. The father jumped across a small stream, almost landing on the sign which prohibited being on that side of the stream. “Come on son, jump”, said the father. Now the son was confused and said, “But Daddy, we aren’t allowed on that side of the stream”. He, at least, cares about the rules. “I know, jump”, the father continued. At this stage, along comes the mother. “You’re not allowed on that side of the stream”, she says to the father. What does he say? “I know, come on son, jump”. My wife and I were standing as open-mouthed witnesses to this scene. But so, thankfully, were my children. They don’t just follow the rules blindly, they understand the reasons for them.

So what will happen to that boy. Hopefully he will be a totally decent human being in many ways. But he will, more than likely, be selfish and only care about his own enjoyment, just like his father.

But, of course, it is not only our children who are watching. The entire world is watching. Do something nice and maybe someone else will see it and do the same. Pick up other people’s rubbish and before you know it, others may do it also. And we will live in a cleaner, and happier world.

This isn’t new information, it has been discussed in many places before. But it is easy to forget. So just a little reminder, you are being watched.

Daily Prompt: Breakthrough

October 3, 2016 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

The moment of enlightenment. Not in a spiritual sense, but as a sense of realisation. The realisation of what is important, what is meaningful. Maybe, it took me a long time. But my breakthrough came when I saw my son for the first time. That is when I realised what was important, at least to me. Not everyone needs children, we are all on a different journey. I just know that the path I was following was meandering; fun but meandering. Until, first my wife and then my children entered my world.

via Daily Prompt: Breakthrough

Beauty of the Czech Republic

October 2, 2016 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

The beauty of the Czech Republic never fails to amaze me. Everywhere you turn, there is something to see. There are castles and chateaux at every turn, I really only have to drive for thirty minutes and I am in another time. I have never lived in a place with such a ready supply of history.

But apart from the history, there is wonderful nature too. It is true that sometimes I miss British nature, the southern chalk streams of England or the rushing Welsh rivers. But here the variety is astounding. This past weekend, my family and I visited Adršpach Rocks. These are a series of rock formations, many of which are said to resemble people, animals or things. As hard as I try, I can never see it. But my children seem to have no problem, the imagination of a child is a wonderful thing.

One negative about this place is its popularity, there were people everywhere. But we can’t have everything we want, and nature is there for everyone to enjoy. So once I was over the shock, I began to really enjoy myself. I love photography and everywhere I looked there was a shot to be taken. I think sometimes my family get tired of waiting for me. Another hobby of mine is bonsai, and you could really get some inspiration here.

The best thing about these trips is, of course, seeing my children enjoy themselves. They were exhausted, at the end of the day, but so was I. How their little legs keep moving is beyond me, but as long as the fuel keeps going in they are fine.

We really do live in a wonderful world and everyone needs to spend more time appreciating it. Stop and look, and there are many secrets to be discovered. I keep telling myself this, and I think I am getting better at it. But in this country, it really should not be too difficult.

Pretend

October 1, 2016 neilhayeswritesLeave a comment

I love watching my children use their imagination. When you are a child, life is a game. It is a shame so many of us lose that. There is no limit to where they can go and what they can do. Because in their mind, they are free. One minute a fireman saving lives, the next minute a racing driver enjoying the thrill of the drive. I dread the day that they lose that, but maybe they won’t have too. Maybe they can keep it forever. Fingers crossed!
via Daily Prompt: Pretend