Hi, it’s us again… Me and Mister C!

HI there, the cold wet weather is still hanging around, hopefully after Widy’s birthday next week, things will start to warm up as we get closer to Spring time (so glorious). Not long now until Widy turns the amazing eighteen! It’s hard to recall where all this time has actually gone (who really knows?). Time has certainly flown by, from when Widy was a tiny premie baby (no bigger than a tub of butter) having been transported straight to the NICU, after her birth for just over fifteen weeks (Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit) in ACT. We were so thrilled (and thankful) she was able to meet most of her milestones, with about a six-month delay and then able to walk unaided by approximately eighteen months (such a massive achievement). Then attend supportive early educational centres and kindy, to make some special long-lasting friendships; to then make it through primary school (achieving above average results), defying all of the odds; to now growing-up into a strong and independent young lady- who is just about to start year twelve! (We are so very proud of you!).

To add a special note, Widy is actually named after our special Australian singer/actress Olivia Newton-John (N. J), whom I wish to acknowledge and especially remember today. Widy walked into the kitchen earlier this morning (before school) and showed me the sad news on social media (on her phone), that our dear Olivia N. J has passed away in the US (such a shock!). Our thoughts and condolences go out to all of Olivia N. J’s family and friends- it is a sad day indeed… I named Widy after Olivia N. J in the hope she would bring much joy and radiate as much happiness, as Olivia N. J has done for all of us over the many decades (of which she does). Olivia N. J will be well remembered for all of her fun music and movies (particularly our all-time favourite ‘Grease’) that has touched our hearts, especially for me (and my sister) who grew up singing and dancing to Olivia N. J’s fun (and empowering) disco songs (RIP). Husband commented that while ‘Grease’ was a great movie, Grease 2′ did not have Olivia N. J or John T in it, and is rated one of the worst movies of all time…

As part of birthday fun and in remembrance (and we wanted to), Widy and I are celebrating with getting some ink done together on her actual birthday (next week)! Widy asked me if she could have a tattoo created in memory of her twin brother Liam; of course, having some tattoos on my body already (more than four and less than ten), I couldn’t say no (and of course, had to get another one done too!). First, we plan to visit Liam, who is laid to rest at ‘Norwood Park’ (in ACT) who (as some of you may already know) was sadly stillborn fifteen weeks (very) early. Widy arrived safely early that same morning (with her having an APGAR score of nine- quite amazing really) and was quickly whisked straight to NICU in ACT (thanks for everything, I am forever thankful to you all).

Time does heal most wounds (as my dear Nan would always say), but for those families like ours (sadly stillbirths do still occur) after losing a child, the heart-pain will always remain; time just dulls the lingering heart-ache and some of the pain with a treasured flicker of a memory, thought or smell to remind you that it wasn’t just a bad dream after all. I am (so very) thankful that Widy survived her difficult start to her life and together we could go on to create a special (and zany) family with Husband (my rock) and then years later having Flossy and Mister C to add to the family mix. It sure does feel like a life-time ago (my first life- as we call it), but my tugging heart-strings will always wonder how our Liam would have grown and turned out like – Widy always says, “Just like me, Mum!” Our Liam (fondly named ‘little angel man’) will always be our special angel, he was only with us for a very short time to spend but an eternity with us…

Righto, moving onto a happier note; what a wonderful time Me and Mister C had during our children’s book event, at the lovely Queanbeyan Library (NSW) last Wednesday. It was an honour to be able to attend the event and meet some happy children and their families. It was truly wonderful to be able to read two of our first Mister C books with the children (and significant others) and to see these children’s reactions, smiles and laughter during and after our readings; it was a special event that will form long-lasting memories for us all. Mister C and I were thrilled there were well over a dozen little ones there for the reading. We say a BIG thank-you to the wonderful librarians and staff for making us feel so welcomed; we look forward to another event together at this brilliant library again very soon. Here are more words from Mister C about our book event (it sums it all up quite nicely!) …

Driving Mister C to Queanbeyan for our special book event at the Queanbeyan Library together, I had hoped I remembered everything we needed for the day. Mister C had agreed to have his hair cut the day before and was looking sharp for the day (a bit grumpy about having his very long fringe trimmed though). Sitting in the front seat and smiling, Mister C said, “Gee, I hope it’s going to be a good day, Mummy. Do you have everything and our books to read too?” Nodding and smiling back I replied, “Yes, thanks my son. I think I have brought everything. Oops not our jackets though! I bet it’s going to be a great day. I’m excited to meet some new people and children and share our great books together!” Mister C nodded, “Yes, me too, Mummy. I hope they like our stories, you worked really hard on our books- I hope so too!”

Arriving a few minutes early at the library building (and didn’t get lost), we finally found a free parking space (due to roadworks) and got our things and walked up to the front door area, trying to avoid some of the light rain that had just started to fall. “Oh, no, Mummy we did forget our jackets !” Mister C moaned. I nodded and replied, “That’s okay, my son. We’ll be inside soon and I know Dad keeps a couple of jumpers that hardly fit him any more at his work – you might be able to borrow one when we see him for lunch afterwards.” Meeting and greeting some wonderful library staff, who then directed us both downstairs (via a lift) to the large meeting room. Mister C helped carry some of our belongings and helped set up our Mister C book table with our goodies. Soon many families and children arrived, I waved and smiled, saying, “Hello” to everyone. Mister C smiled, but looked a bit worried and stayed by my side, “What’s up Mister C?” I then said quietly. Mister C whispered into my ear, while holding my hand, “There’s so many people that I don’t know, are now here, Mummy.” Giving Mister C a hug, I whispered back, “Oh, that’s okay, my son. These people are all here to see us. It will be okay, just be your happy self.” Mister C nodded and replied, “Okay, Mummy. I think I can do that with you!” …

A Word from Mister C…

“It’s my birthday in six days!” Mister C proclaimed in the car (last year), as I was driving him and Flossy to school in the morning, Widy was catching the bus. I could see Mister C was smiling in the back seat, from the rear-view mirror, “What you smiling about, my son?” I asked, smiling back. “Oh, I’m really feeling happy today, Mummy! I loved the movie we watched yesterday together. Thanks for taking me to the movies.” Smiling back in the mirror, “You’re welcome, my son. It was fun! It was an early birthday present. Gee, it really is your birthday very soon?” I then said. Flossy nodded, “Yes, his birthday is in five days now; you’ll be nine soon, no younger eight!” Mister C grinned, “Yay! I can’t wait to be nine. It’s going to be great to say I’m no longer eight and the big number nine! I can’t wait to stay up later too, maybe nine o’clock to match my age, Mummy!?” All laughed…🎂

Stay tuned…

For more zanier stories from us! We look forward to our next book (and stall) events coming up shortly at one (and possibly two) of our local primary schools to help celebrate Book Week, later in September (yay for a sunnier month). More details to follow once we know more soon. If you or someone you know would like to purchase one (or more) of our books, we are to provide an author signed copy and can even personalize it too! We are also happy to post the book(s) to you or your family/friends via the mail system; we are happy to cover standard postage costs within Australia to note as well. Thanks for your continued support, as always, without you we wouldn’t have a working blog… Hugs and care, Mister C and Me… 🙌