Hi there, it’s Me & Mister C!

Hiya! … Firstly, I wanted to give a WARM shout-out to every family in our town, local communities and surrounding cities and the like. Families are important and unique! Whatever the definition or dynamic make-up that forms each family; be it with one child, no children, many children, pets, partners, Mothers and or Fathers, Grandparents, cousins or Aunts and Uncles; it is a special one! Families are resilient, caring and will always be there for one another; in any time-frame of any given family member’s life-time. As we know, life can throw us ‘curve-balls’ that come hurtling from no-where, causing us to rethink our life journeys. Family are there to help guide us through these (sometime) difficult times, to get through to happier ones.

Personally, for me and then later, when my first daughter Widy was born premature (2014), life was tough (to say the least), throwing many a difficult ‘curve-ball’ our way. Having been unfortunately exposed to, and then alienated (in what I call my ‘previous life’) through a downward spiralling web of domestic violence (there is no other nicer term for it really); thus causing a series of terrible (and serious) events (is hard to actually pin-point when it all started- it creeps up like a bad virus), that led to both myself and my daughter’s safety and well-being becoming compromised… I could go on in further detail, but I think you get my drift?!…

I write and share this experience now, as there has been a lot of discussions on social media platforms lately, about domestic violence and the (serious) harm it causes on families. I am no expert on these matters, but (unfortunately) I do have first-hand experience of this, and yes it does shatter families! In my view, it is common among families (sadly-why?) and it doesn’t discriminate amongst any cultural or socio-economic group. The most important thing any friend or parent can do, when (or if) they are ever faced with this situation, is to LISTEN to their family member; if able to, offer constructive advice (Thank-you to all who did help, I will never forget you!). SAFETY of the family member (and children if in the situation) is the most important issue; if unable to help, refer this family member to someone who can (thank-you so very much DVS services ACT).

On a lighter note, I just wanted to say a big THANK-YOU to our dear friends and Bro and Sister in Law (hiya D & S. L!), who were able to join us last night for my pyjama and jelly shot gathering. Spending time with you all, helped ease the sadness of growing older (as you may see on my Facebook profile, being born in 1922, meant I was only turning 93 in 2015!) not to mention the wee bit of vodka (and other yummy drinks) we shared too! It was a wonderful night, filled with much fun and silliness! Thanks to dear Husband (you are my rock) for mowing the lawn (a lot of lawn to do), helping with running around getting supplies and for my ‘paper-mache’ chook ornament. Thanks to my zany Mister C and girls for your love, special little gifts and lots of cuddles…

Okay, back to February 2015 (my ‘second life’). It’s funny, with just mentioning my latest birthday celebrations now, to my birthday back in 2015! “You don’t look a day older!”, says Husband. We both worked hard to get the house in order, fix up the garden (that had been left overgrown when we signed the lease); so, we decided to have a celebratory house-warming party and join my birthday in on it too. It was great family and friends could make their way up to our new town for the day (thanks heaps!); was a wonderful day, lovely to see everyone and spend time together. Husband recalls, “House-warming and Wife’s birthday party was great fun, we had twenty adults and eight kids over! The party went from 12 pm till last guest left around 5 pm. Wife had a few more drinks than normal and was bit hungover on Sunday morn!”…

So, celebrations over, we had to get back to reality and back to Uni and work. The Monday after the party, I was taking the girls to school and Mister C to day-care. I recall it was a busy morning (like most), I had to rush to get to Uni on time, due to having an assessment that morning too. My heart sank, when I had just driven away from dropping girls off at school, when I heard a thud and a strange noise at the back of my car. I pulled over and saw the dreaded back tyre was flat, such an instant thing and I was literally stuck! Thankfully, I had seen a car auto shop, down the same street the week before (thinking about having to get car inspected for the upcoming Green Slip I needed). I managed to walk down to the shop with Mister C in my arms (wearing my Uni nursing outfit of course), and in my desperate voice (and face) asked for help! I have to say, the service person was so kind and helped me straight away, took the tyre off so quickly and promptly put the spare on for me. I rang Husband (who saved the day again!), met him in the City who took Mister C and drove him to day-care and back to work (sorry Husband!) I was so thankful (and stressed), I could get on my way and missed only about five mins of the start of the nursing workshop in ACT. The tyre had unluckily met with a large nail and had punctured it instantaneously! I went back the next day and paid the bill, got the old tyre replaced and said a BIG thank-you!…

I recall the next day was a calmer one; as a reward to both of us, I took Mister C down on his red buggy, to the bright and newish park that was near our place. It was a lovely sunny day, we had fun running around chasing each other, having had a little picnic near there (as we did most weekends). It was that same fine day; we also met a friendly lady and her two girls at the cute park. I had seen them once before; not having the courage to say hi, this time I had to say something, as Mister C ran up to one of the little girls and said, “Hi! I like your trike, mine’s red?!” Children are so sweet and innocent; I love Mister C and the girls for that! The lady and I both looked at each other and smiled; her face looked kind and shy like mine. I walked closer with Mister C running around us. I recall how alike the younger little girl was just like my Flossy at the same age! We both exchanged “Hello’s”, and began chatting (just like old times really- even though we had only just met!). Turns out, this lovely Mum and her two sweet girls had just recently moved from the Sydney area to our new town too (like 2 months after us). They were just settling into their new place, in the same area with the park in between both our streets. It was a happy day, because not only did Mister C and I have a fun day (unlike the day before), we made life- long friends that day too! (Love you H, J, L & L. C).

A word from Mister C…

“Hey Mummy? It’s your birthday soon! Are you turning a low thirty-five this year? I don’t think you look any older than Daddy, but you do look older than big Sis Widy!” “Thanks, Mister C. I am turning a low thirty-six!” I said smiling (actually, a lot older than that!). “Why do you like birthdays so much my son?” I asked. “I love birthdays you know”, he replied; “They are FUN because you get lots of hugs and attention; you also get great presents to open on your day. I want you to have a great day Mummy, so I want you to have all my coins in my ‘doggy’ money box! I love you one hundred times, because you do so much for us all!”…

Also, I wanted to send a happy cheer to my second Flossy; who has been working so hard, on her one- thousand crane wish since New Year’s Day. I am happy to announce, we have now made over three-hundred and fifty cranes so far; on target to get them all done by early May (before her next birthday). So proud of you my sweet girl, stick to a goal and your wish may come true yet! ❤

Stay tuned…

For more Mister C mayhem; my looming Uni placement and sickness in the house… More car troubles, this time for Husband! We celebrate sweet Flossy’s seventh birthday and there is a holiday hope in sight soon…