Letter to Students 30 August 2009

Dear Reader

Time is passing too fast, and I apologise for writing so sporadically.  When I was living with Han, I used to write most Sundays as we watched television, but I haven’t been sitting in front of the television at all these days.  I never liked watching television before I met Han, but it was one of his favourite pastimes, so I would sit with him so that we could share time together.  Apparently, he doesn’t watch so much television these days, so I suppose we can all change with time.

Family is the most important thing in my life, I don’t take any of the precious moments I have with my family for granted.  This past weekend, I have relished the chance to catch up with my aunt and uncle who live in Melbourne, and whom I hadn’t seen in eight years.  Lexie is my mother’s youngest sister, and I have always loved being with both my uncle and aunt.  My uncle Ron was a mining engineer, and I visited them when I was in my second year at university and they were living in Bougainville, part of New Guinea at that time.  Having said that, I am now wondering if I am right in thinking that it is now independent, but at that time, Bougainville was a paradise which was being exploited by a British mining company.  Since I was five years old, I dreamed of living in another culture, and being in Bougainville was a dream come true.  I only saw my cousins at this time, and when Han and I visited Australia when our first grandchild was born in Melbourne, and they were living there, but my cousins now live in different parts of the world. Catching up this weekend was absolutely wonderful, and we went to the Palms restaurant for dinner and chatted for hours over a beautiful meal and wine to match.  Shahan joined us and she loved learning about the relatives she knew nothing about.  My mother never liked socialising, and she discouraged us from having contact with our extended family.  I am so different from my mother, taking after my father in many ways, and I love spending time with people whose roots are the same as mine. Today was my mother’s 75^th birthday, and I offered to take her for lunch and she chose her favourite place, Subway!  I suggested we go to the Meridian so that there was a wider choice for my uncle and aunt, and my mother had a great time.  She had me on for choosing Tika chicken which she thought looked like burnt saveloy, and the naan which looked like blotting paper!  Mum is looking frail, but wanted to come out to Portobello and negotiated the stairs very well. I remember treating Dad and my sister to a weekend in Dansey’s Pass for Dad’s 75^th birthday, and that was such a special weekend on so many levels.  Five years ago, and it seems just like yesterday.  So much has happened since that time, so many trials and tribulations, ups and downs. I have no regrets, and feel that I have learnt a lot  in this time, particularly in the past year.  We have to be so grateful for all we have, and never take what we have for granted. 

It is time to go to bed, although there is still so much more I want to share with you.  However, I was late last night, and want to be fresh for tomorrow. I just went for a walk outside, and although it was cool today, it is very mild as it was when I began this letter.  As I thought of my walk, I was reminded of this morning, and going down to the bottom garden and planting some flowers around the cherry tree which we planted in memory of my father.  I hadn’t gone down there on the third anniversary of his passing, but felt able to do that today.  A neighbour saw me on the section, and came down for a chat.  My contemplative mood was shattered, but I didn’t want to upset my friend by saying that I was having a quiet chat with Dad.

Just before I go, I must say that I enjoy using my MacBook.  However, I notice that some of the keys are already looking worn.  I seem to be so hard on these machines.  So much emotion flows through my fingers onto the keys, and I probably punch harder than I should.  I have never done things quietly, and certainly not calmly!  

Spring is coming, and I hope you can enjoy this special season.  I love seeing the yellow faces of daffodils which promise us new life.  We need to believe that there is new life, to have faith, and hope and love.  May we have it all!

Love

Sharron