My favourite aunty goes home on Saturday. Lana will be flying back to Australia and I am really going to miss her. I know she's in a quandry because as much as she wants to go home to her family she doesn't want to leave her English family. It will be hard for all of us to say goodbye.
Lana is very special to us because she lived with us when we were children and was like a big sister. She had a big influence on our lives for many years and we loved her dearly.
She taught me how to put my makeup on properly, how to dress with style and told me never to refuse to dance with a boy because it took a lot of courage for them to ask. That piece of advice meant I always had a partner for the last dance at school when many of my friends had to sit it out!
When Lana left to go to Australia, thirty two years ago, it was like losing a limb. She was a confidante, a shoulder to cry on, someone to laugh with, to tell secrets to and the best friend I'd ever had. Then came the wonderful invention of email and we could keep in touch regularly again. But nothing compares with the opportunity to meet her again. I've realised she is still that funny, big sister, best friend, beloved aunty she has always been in my memory, that the years may have changed her in some ways but in all those important things she is still the same.
I will miss her all over again but I wouldn't have given up this chance to get to know her again for all the tea in China. We love you Lana, God speed till we meet again!
