It’s hard to fathom that it has been 12 months since my Mum passed away. I miss her dearly. I miss many things, most of all, the simple things we can so easily take for granted. Yet these become such rich things as we cherish memories of those we love deeply. I miss calling Mum … Continue reading I miss you Mum!
Learning to listen!
As I have been learning to navigate a new, physical pain journey this year, my good team of health professionals have been singing from the same song sheet. "Listen to your body" has been their consistent chorus. Now to be honest, that's something I have never been very good at. I have usually pushed on when I … Continue reading Learning to listen!
Thank you Alan!
Late on Christmas night in 2006 I was in my house alone. It was a painful first, which comes with the fracturing of families. My mobile phone rang. Someone who didn’t know me all that well, but who had stood by me in difficult times, was on the line. Calling from interstate, he wanted to say … Continue reading Thank you Alan!
We’re all human at the end of the day!
I’m sure most of us have been on the “Bol bandwagon” this past week. And rightly so! Peter Bol’s success has enchanted the nation and will be a long-remembered highlight of the Tokyo Games for many of us. But behind three courageous 800m runs this past week is a beautiful, but challenging story. One that … Continue reading We’re all human at the end of the day!
Hear us and walk with us!
“In 1967 we were counted, in 2017 we seek to be heard. We leave base camp and start our trek across this vast country. We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.” This is the final paragraph of the Uluru Statement of the Heart. Four … Continue reading Hear us and walk with us!
Sludge seasons
Stuckness. That feeling I’m sure we’ve all experienced in the stretching COVID season. In a meeting on Thursday, a Sydney colleague commented: “Just when I thought we were getting beyond this, it’s back”. The Melburnians on screen didn’t need to say a word. We know too well what a ticket on the emotional rollercoaster called lockdown … Continue reading Sludge seasons
When pain shouts!
I let the technologist choose the backing music for a series of scans I had this week. Train’s “Drops of Jupiter” and Snow Patrol’s “Chasing Cars” competed with the loud banging and clanging of the MRI machine. Then came “When I’m Gone” by 3 Doors Down. Maybe not the best song for an MRI playlist meant to distract … Continue reading When pain shouts!
A song we can all sing!
We may prefer to skip the following list on our national day. It’s hard to read. It would be a lot easier to slap on a temporary Australian flag tattoo, throw a snag on the BBQ and shuffle the Best of Oz playlist. Personally, for a middle-aged white Australian, I find the following list sobering and … Continue reading A song we can all sing!
Bloody grief!
I was in the car on Friday and I told the kids we would give “grandma and grandad” a call when we got home. The words came out so quickly and easily. Then I paused. The beautiful, innocent Ada Rose quickly replied: “We can only call grandad now, Dad.” Fact check, seven-year old style! Yes Ada, we … Continue reading Bloody grief!
Rest Mum, Rest!
As a child I often woke in the middle of the night. It might have been fear of the dark, a bad dream, a strange noise or a loud storm. For a short season, when I was 12, it was an irrational fear of death. Whenever I woke, I would run, crying, to my parent’s … Continue reading Rest Mum, Rest!
apilgrimpens 