He had never really understood why his son moved to Ankara. He assumed neither his wife had, though she had never put it to words at loud. He had followed a job opportunity, he understood that but it was not like something he could not find in Istanbul. He understood his son might have wanted to make his own life, in a different city. He knew they could follow them there but after some eighty years in one place, it was no easy change to make. Indeed they could not. They had not even considered to. So then there was. A several hour train trip every other weekend. Still, sitting on a train was not very difficult for an elderly couple. Getting on the train, climbing those huge steps were much harder however. It was worth it all though. To see their grandchildren.



They had been doing that for many years. The kids would always look happy to see them. Watching them run around made him feel so young and realize he was so old at the the same time. One day his wife had told him the exact same thing even though he had never told her this was what he thought. They had always got along so well. They never really needed to explain themselves to each other. They always knew somehow.



And there he was again. Sitting in his seat, half asleep. Returning home after a day spent with his grandchildren who were growing so fast that soon it would be rather hard to call them children. Maybe the trip was becoming harder. It certainly felt like that as the years passed. It sure was not as enjoyable as it used to be. Not without his wife. Nothing was enjoyable or even easy since she passed away. Except for being with the grandchildren. He looked to the empty seat on his side with teary eyes. How he had missed her.



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