Lest We Forget

We spent the morning at the ANZAC day march in the city. I should have taken my sunglasses because I see those men and women - I feel overwhelmed and get very wet eyes. 


We caught the train in and caught the train home with the smell of rosemary with us the whole day. 

Today I thought of my grandfather, Gramps. Of my dad's uncle who died at Gallipoli. And Frank who I sometimes walk with in the mornings, who often tells me about shipping over to Singapore as a 17 year old, and returning two weeks later to find everyone had died. 


Those young boys who fought so bravely - I can't even imagine the horror. 

this is Gramps with my grandmother, Mars. 

I spent the afternoon baking ANZAC biscuits - that I stuck together with caramel (thank you Donna Hay), and then I spent a blissful two hours in the garden. 


Lest we forget. 

Our Weekend

I drove up to my Mum and Dad's place on Thursday. Just the smalls and myself.

It's only a four and a half hour drive, but I was so tired. I drank two coffees, one cup of tea, and a medium post-mix Coke. Ordinarily I only have one caffeinated drink a day. But I was so weary.

We celebrated our beloved Grandmother's life. We cried. We laughed. We caught up with relatives that we had not seen in too long.

I hated leaving today. I would have liked to have stayed up there longer, but life continues. I always find that such a hard thing to deal with when grieving. Why is everyone oblivious to the waves of grief? You know that feeling? You just want a stand-still, out of respect.

And the drive home was long. The Doctor kept talking for most of it. Tiny screamed for part of it.

I am quietly exhausted. I think I have car-lag. Curled up on the couch thinking about my family. Glad to have had that time to remember some beautiful memories and remember and rejoice in a wonderful and inspiring life.

Mother's Day & Mars

I feel incredibly blessed to have had such a beautiful grandmother as Mars.

Generous, loving, warm, affectionate, nurturing, talented Mars. She loved being hugged, holding hands, listening, gardening, painting, crafting, cooking, loving.

Yesterday our beloved Mars went to sleep for eternity. I take comfort that she'll be with our Gramps, reunited, on a perfect blue sky Autumn day.

I think of her today, I'm grateful for all the riches she brought to our family - her generous spirit, her love, everything.

Happy Mother's day mamas. I hope everyone has someone as wonderful as Marsy in their lives. And a special happy Mother's Day to my own Mum.