abarry,
I realise how sad you are because though I'm now more than 40 years old, I still find that my time with my dad was never enough. Now my father had passed away.
I recalled my younger days, my father had to work till very very late. Often when he arrived home, it would be after 12 o'clock midnight. I would have fallen asleep. And when it was time for me to go to school, it was his bedtime. What was even worse was that he must have to work during public holidays and Sundays were his most busy time. I cried many many times (though I didn't let him know). I remembered once that he said he was able to take a holiday on my birthday and yet he could not make it because of other commitments.
Yet I love him very much because he was a good father. We communicated by a phone call every day (but usually less than 5 minutes, it was his dinner time). We communicated by writing short letters to each other. I treasured every opportunities with him.
Now I'm a mother of a 5 years old boy and I also do a lot of travelling. I know he would be sad when I was not with him at night. As a mother, I also feel guilty. Of course if I could have a choice, I may choose not to be a working mother but the reality is that I need to work.
abarry, although I don't know your mother, I think she will also miss you when she is working aboard. She may as well feel very lonely without you.
One day, when you grows up and have your own children you would understand the feeling of a mother. Nothing is more treasure that her own kids.
If we cannot change the reality, we may just treasure the moments when we are together.
Find a way to communicate with your mother though you may not be able to see each other. Give some support to your mother as well....working aboard is actually not easy.
Many best wishes and not be too sad.
Regards,
toffeeli