Brooklyn, The movie, and that dreaded 'goodbye'.

Last night I went along to see the movie Brooklyn. Based on the novel by Colm Toibín I was really looking forward to seeing it on the big screen. Being an avid book lover I was well prepared for the movie falling short of the book. Which it did...but....
The movie awoke in me memories I thought were in the past. Images which I could so clearly relate to, and a genuine heartfelt sympathy towards every mother in the past who said 'goodbye' to a son or daughter from the homeland.
Brookly tells the story of a young Irish girl, Eilis Lacey, who leaves her home in Co. Wexford to build a better life for herself in Brooklyn. She leaves behind her elder sister Rose, and her mother. It is mid 1950's and the boat journey alone was one of sheer horror.
I knew the story. I've read it and tutored it. There were going to be no surprises here for me. Or so I thought.
As Eilis boarded the ship at Cork and her mother and sister stood by, it simply drew on raw emotion from every single person in the packed cinema theatre. One doesn't have to have experienced this situation to have been affected from this on the big screen last night. Such was the portrayal. Close up shots of both Eilis and her family were enough to bring a tear to every eye.
But alas the tears I shed were not just for this and so many other families in years gone by. My tears that welled up were awakening memories from just a few years ago.
My eldest son was leaving home to spend two years in a very remote part of Canada. I was so pleased that he was going to see the world and no doubt better himself in so many ways, but the experience of that 'goodbye' ripped a little piece of me to shreds.
As I watched these scenes last night it made me realise just how lucky I had been, and how lucky all of us mothers in the modern day are when saying such a 'goodbye'. We have the internet, we have mobile phones and we have such easy accessibility to keep in touch. As my son left Irish shores I knew I'd be speaking to him the following day. I knew I'd see him on a regualar basis via 'Skype' and 'Facetime'. And I knew that he would definitely return home again. Even if he had chosen to make a life long-term in Canada it wouldn't have meant never seeing him again.
As I watched this gripping scene last night I thought on all those mothers who said 'goodbye' to sons and daughters all those years ago and they genuinely didn't know if they would ever see their children again. It would be weeks and maybe months before a letter would arrive with news. Many were never heard of again. As a mother, I cannot even begin to contemplate such.
When the tears finally subsided I did enjoy the movie Brooklyn. It showcases emigration and all that it entails wonderfully. It is definitely a movie I would highly recommend but put a tissue in your pocket (you will be needing it). Saoirse Ronan excels in her portrayal of Eilis.
More than anything I came away thankful for the developments in modern technology and knowing that we mothers will never experience the great sense of loss and that 'wake' by the boat. Count our blessings that emmigration in the modern day doesn't mean 'goodbye' forever.

GMcC