I was working off shore Iran during the Iran/Iraq war is 1988. My wife and kids had gone back to the States in preparation for us moving back permanently. I got a radio/telephone call at 0300 hrs. telling me that my mother had died. I had to spend another 2 months off shore before I could get back in to Dubai. It took me another 3 weeks or so before it got the house transfered, the car sold, and everything shipped back. Not a fun time.