Hi… from Me and Mister C. Firstly, we would like to wish everyone a safe and calm New Year. It hasn’t been a great start as we all know and can see (or not with the smoke); but hopefully through the thick haze (horrible fires), there will be some sunny skies coming our way soon. With all the volatility due to the drastic weather, fires and lack of rain around our communities at present, we are all under pressure (even our poor animals are suffering too). Many mixed emotions have flared (we can all blow our stacks sometimes), and it is natural for communities and surrounding areas to want to lay blame (particularly when lives and homes have been lost). It is okay to have an opinion regarding our individual situations (not that I am trying to solve all the problems of the world today), but it is important to remember to be respectful and non-judgemental towards others (not that I’m telling you what to do either), when these opinions are going around. Everyone has the right to try and make their own decisions, on the safety and welfare of their family and animals; it’s not really up to someone else to tell others what to do, unless it is an emergency situation like down the coast at present (which is always hard to deal with- Mister C, I know wasn’t a happy lad).
We wanted to send a big shout out to our dear friends in Burrill Lake (hiya L.S), Mollybook, Ulladulla, ‘Ex-servos’ RSL Club (a BIG thank-you for all your hard work keeping everyone fed and watered); and at the Big 4 Park where we stayed this past week (a BIG thank-you to the park managers and staff who kept us all safe indeed). We also wanted to say a kind thank-you to the lovely lady (we didn’t catch her name unfortunately) at the Mollymook Newsagent, who offered my husband (we had no power for twenty-four hours), candles to safely use so we were not in the dark. Sadly, due to the looming bad fires (and current ones), with extreme weather conditions and the ‘State of Emergency’ called to the South Coast we had to evacuate out yesterday (Friday). Many mixed emotions were seen regarding this, particularly on TV, and on social media- like Facebook for example. People deal with situations differently, and knowing we are not all alike (it would make a boring world if we were); people will (of course) react and show differing emotions and opinions. Particularly regarding very stressful situations, like the very sad and unnecessary loss of life (may you rest in peace) and property with the fires, and eventual evacuation of our dear South Coast (again thanks to the RFS and Volunteers for your tireless work).
For Mister C and our family, it had been mid-March (felt like over a year ago) since we were able to have a small family get away and see friends down the coast. Our decision to go was well discussed (our booked leave didn’t come around very often either), we knew in the event of another fire we may have needed to cut our trip short. We had great neighbours to care for our pets and home (hiya H, B & A.W), and close friends to water gardens (hiya H & J.C). We had arranged to stay longer as we felt safe where we were (and after discussing it with local friends); we didn’t want to put the family in any harm’s way, with the heat and issues with road closures etc.
As we were walking back to our bungalow the last night we stayed, we met many travellers on the roads heading up North to Nowra (the traffic was grid locked for more than twenty-four hours- we ended up walking as it was banked up for miles). We offered any info we had regarding the situation with the roads, and had great conversations on how these folks ended up there. It was good to let these people ‘debrief’ as such, someone to listen to their stories. I know these people felt better after having a chat (and seeing smiling faces), we always feel a sense of validation afterwards (we did also offer some water, but only had a couple of bottles with us- most cars with families were well stocked which was good to see).
I recall Mister C saying, “Where are all these people going Daddy?” Husband replied, “Going up North to get away from the nasty fires down South, my son.” Mister C nodded and then said, “Well, they can come stay with us, we have lots of room!”… Husband did comment … “You forgot about the lady on the side of the road, who asked us what a man was doing going from car to car in the middle of the road. The guy was offering bottles of water, but the lady thought it was some guy who had gone off and was booted out of his own car, trying any car to get a lift!” We all had a bit of a well-earned laugh there and then with complete strangers (laughter can be the best medicine really) …
Moving on and following our last blog; I’d written about my dear Oma’s passing (this blog is a time to reflect and remember I think). I mentioned about my Dad and how Oma (I felt) was my last connection to him. I did have another dream several days after hearing the sad news. I was in a white small boat, bobbing up and down on a large dark body of water, like a vast ocean. The sky was bright blue and the sun was shining from the top left, onto me and the boat. There was another person on the boat with me, the sun was so bright it was hard to make out the outline. I moved slightly and had better sight of the face and person; it was Oma. She had a calm peaceful look on her face, a nice smile; she looked happy and pain free (I felt so glad). Like most of my other dreams, I’m usually in a boat with a loved one, more recently it was my ‘fix-it’ (step) Dad (J.VG) who sadly passed in 2017, forever missed).
So, Oma’s funeral was held in Melbourne mid- June (2014). We were extremely grateful to have our wonderful God-parents to help with the girls again over these two days (hiya D & A.P-B), while we took Mister C with us. I certainly wasn’t going to miss this for anything (and I felt I owed it to Oma too) … As usual, there are always hiccups along the way on our journeys somewhere. This time was no exception, I recall we had to get up extremely early (like 430 am!) to get ready and greet our beautiful God-parents (thanks again). Mister C had already been changed, but somehow managed to do another mystery poo in his pants, with the zipper on his suit getting stuck and breaking open. Had to leave with suit broken, pulled cardigan on over to cover the suit; late to airport. Suit changed on plane, we were last family on plane as it was about to take off (I think we had been called twice over the loud speaker). I recall an uptight business woman, when we were just seated, turned to give me a bad look while Mister C was in my arms. (I was already quite embarrassed at being late, let alone causing ISSUES with a baby on-board). I heard the first woman say to another woman sitting next to her… “A baby behind us, let’s hope IT sleeps!?” Luckily for her (and me), Mister C was a good boy, and slept for most of the trip (mind you those comments are quite unnecessary, given the amount of effort it takes to get a little one organised, let alone take a plane ride-must have been important I think!)…
Husband commented… “It took ages to get the hire car, got out of the airport area with our trusty ‘Tom-Tom’ (navigation device-thank goodness we had one), only to be stuck in peak hour traffic. Was only meant to take about 50 mins, but took over an hour and a half to get to the service place.” We managed to get there just in time for the service to start; Mister C was a very good boy, even though he mischievously spent most of the day shaking his head and saying “NO, NO” to everything and everyone! The Funeral director kindly re-opened Oma’s coffin, so I could say goodbye one last time (forever in my heart). Husband commented… “The service was made a bit tricky, because our near twenty-month old Mister C kept carrying on and running off; so, I had to eventually take him outside, then family could appreciate the service without noise and interruption.” (Good Husband!). I was so grateful to see everyone who was at the service, and to my Aunt and Uncle (hiya J & M.T) for organising a lovely wake at their place afterwards. I know Oma would have been so proud, to have seen all of her beautiful family together again to celebrate her life (and what a wonderful life it was!). I wrote a poem for Oma soon after her passing (like most events in my life-a way of coping, I guess?). I kept it to myself for many years; it is now time to share, and it will appear on the blog shortly…
A word from Mister C…
Driving through the devastated communities to get back up to Nowra on Friday, we sadly looked around in such disbelief; less than a week earlier we had driven past the beautiful roads and ‘Macquarie Pass’, admiring all the flora and fauna. Mister C commented, “What has happened to all the big tall trees, Mummy?” … “Unfortunately, the hot fires have burnt most of them,” I replied. “Oh! That’s not good. Will they keep growing or will they die?” He sighed. “I think most should survive, trees are strong and they can shed the outer burnt areas, some may fall down though”, I said. “Where did all the animals go, do you think they got away?” Mister C sighed again. “I don’t think the walking ones like the sweet koalas and wombats did that well, love. Most of the birds should have flown away though,” I replied. Flossy, looked sad in the car and said, “Well, I’m glad I’m making my paper (Origami) cranes, Mum. I want to donate them all to the ‘Wildlife Park’ when I get to one-thousand. I want to make my special wish for the animals: ‘longevity’ (long life) to all the remaining animals, especially my Duggie, Pearly and the girls.”… (my heart melted and a tear did glisten in my eye) …
At bed time story reading tonight (‘Dr Seuss’), Mister C said, “Mummy, I think I should donate all of my ‘Lego’ to the kids that lost their stuff in the fires.” “What a nice idea Mister C,” I said. “I think that would really help the kids. Let’s look into it tomorrow?” Mister C nodded, “Okay, Mummy. I want to give the other bits away; but I really don’t want to give away my ‘Minecraft’ Dragon though, as it took me so long to build!” “Okay Mister C, you won’t need to”, I smiled… As ‘Dr Seuss’, (“One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish.”) so greatly put… “Today is gone. Today was fun (not really today, but maybe another day). Tomorrow is another one. Every day, from here to there, funny things everywhere.”…
Stay tuned…
Apologies for the lengthy blog this week, once I get writing, it can be hard to stop!… Unfortunately, I ran out of time to chat about Mister C’s surgery… Stay tuned for the next blog, all things Mister C, and lots and lots and lots of ice-cream and jelly… Thanks for your continued support this past week, even when the site hasn’t been updated much! ❤
Enjoy MisterC and his adventures!
“Thanks Granny,” says Mister C. “We love you!”…