The recent death of Lionel (se my post Lionel RIP on the 17th April) provokes the question "Would you stay in Spain if anything happened to your partner?" In Janet's case she has already said that she intends to return to England.
But what would others do?
Certainly it isn't a question that either Pam or I have contemplated. At 61 years young, we hope to have a good few years left before we have to face that sort of decision. The last thing we want to do is wish our lives away by considering what we might do many years hence.
Asking the question in a hypothetical way does however bring you face to face with your feelings about living in Spain and your commitment to a new way of life.
I suppose it all depends upon what your intentions were when you moved here and how well you have integrated into life in Spain. If you came for the sun and the relaxed way of life; then maybe that is not enough to keep you here.
I know that for many, language is a huge barrier - I'm told it is for Janet who relied upon Lionel's fluent Spanish to get by. For some, the idea of learning a new language is like looking at a mountain wondering if they will ever get to the top. In truth, if you only get part way up you'll have achieved a lot.
In any case it is important to ask yourself, "what would I be going back to?" The people you left behind will have moved on. The place you left could well have changed out of all recognition. Reading the English papers online for a week gives you a true picture of what the country is like now. I think before we make these sort of decisions; we have to remove the rose tinted glasses that we all have about our past and consider the reality of both countries.
"Never say never." Who knows how we might feel in the years to come but for the moment Pam and I are committed to our lives here in Spain.
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