In loving memory of my beautiful son Benjamin who would have been 23 years old today…Happy Birthday Benny..Love from us…we still miss you so very much xox

A Picture Of You Ben

I only have a picture now, a frozen piece of time to remind me of how it was when you were here, and mine....

I see your smiling eyes each morning when I wake. I talk to you, and place a kiss upon your lovely face. How much I miss you being here, I really can not say. The ache is deep inside my heart and never goes away.

I hear it mentioned often that time will heal the pain but the void you left in our lives will forever more remain.

I think about you constantly, this gets me through the day. It broke our hearts so very much when your last breath slipped away.

The angels came and took you, that really wasn't fair. They took my beautiful thirteen year old and left us in despair.

If only they had asked me if I would take your place. I would have done so willingly leaving you this world to grace.

You should have had so many years to watch your life unfold and in the mist of this, watch me, your Mum grow old!

I hope your watching from above at the daily tasks I do and let there be no doubt at all, I really do love you.

Thank you Deborah Robinson...big hugs

I can't believe this weather! Here it is the beginning of February, traditionally the hottest month of the year, and it is cold and wet. This past week has seen non-stop rain with floods throughout north/west NSW and southern Queensland.

It is a cold rain too. Everyone is rugged up, which is bazzare given the time of year. The year J and I were married, 1982, the sun shone in all of it's glory all day. There was no extreme heat just beautiful sun rays.

Several years later some friends Richard and Mary, were married February 4th. The day suffered from 40 degree temperatures. Some of the guests attended the ceremony in regular clothes and went home to change before the breakfast. I remember feeling like I was going to melt. On Monday John and I celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary together. The difference in the weather between now and back then, is amazing.

Australia Day 2012

Today is Australia Day 2012. I tried to remember what we did as small children to celebrate Australia Day but could not think of anything. I guess it has only been since 1988 that the community has been encouraged to
observe such a day.

I do remember back in 1970 there were huge celebrations to commemerate Captain Cook's bi-centenary 1770, when he first landed in Australia. That year I was a ten year old student in year 5 at Holy Trinity Granville. Dad was also in year 5 at the Patrician Brothers Granville.

Again in 1988 we celebrated the arrival of the first fleet . Re-enactments of the tall ships arriving in Sydney Harbour made for a wonderful spectacle. Your Grandmother Mary George and cousin, Sharon Budwee took a picnic and sat on the shores of Landy Macquarie's Chair to watch the celebrations. Thousands of sailing vessels made their way into Botany Bay and on to the harbour. People waved the aussie flag and a wonderful sense of commeradery was everywhere. Dad and I (30 weeks pregnant with Alex at the time) sat at home and watched the television together with a BBQ lunch. Afterall, this was the bi-centenary of the landing of the first fleet. The Aborigines went on to call this day "Invasion Day" and great debate has taken place ever since.


Anyway, Happy Australia Day everyone! Today, January 20th 2012 I am sitting here surrounded by Kookaburras, Loorikeets, Banksis trees, the beach, smiling beach walkers and blessed sunshine...it doesn't get much more "aussie" than that! So whatever your day holds ready for you...have a relaxing Australia Day.

Our Alex is currently in Thailand at a Muay Thai Kickboxing Academy. He use to enjoy Tai Quan Do for many years and achieved a black belt however, he decided to move into kickboxing years later. I have been amazed at his interest in healthy eatting and fitness since changing to mauy thai, this will be good for all the family when it comes to meal preparation too. Alex has had to "unlearn" some of his Tai Quan Do techniques in order to learn new Mauy Thai practices because it makes use of punches, kicks, elbows and knee strikes, thus using eight "points of contact" hence, Muay Thai is referred to as the "Art of Eight Limbs" or the "Science of Eight Limbs" as opposed to "two points" (fists) in boxing and "four points" (hands and feet) used in other sports, such as kickboxing, boxing, and Tai Quan Do.

Good Luck in Thailand Alex, we are very proud of all of your achievements. Love Mum and Dad xxx

The photo above was taken approx ten years ago when Alex was competing in Tai Quan Do

After a beautiful day yesterday we woke to the pitter patter of rain outside this morning, the thousands of birds in the surrounding woodlands and forrests would not be silenced by this, they simply whistled on, squawking and chirping an unending stream of chatter amongst themselves. Even as some thunder gently rolled in from Myola and Husskison they increased their beautiful noise as if nothing was happening. Tis a nice way to wake up on a Sunday morning.

The joy of watching a busy Banksia Tree......

I believe in paradise. I am not sure if paradise will be found in Heaven however, down here on Earth it certainly can be found here at Jervis Bay.

This morning J and I walked across to the beach, a slight breeze, the crystal clear water sat like mirrors reflecting the sky and the only movement out on the bay were about

six dolphins gently slicing through the
soft waves. It is so beautiful here. J and I often debate with the locals about the value of tourism to the area; of course the locals hate tourist time each year. J and I love this time as it brings renewed life to the local economy as well as the beach.

I particularly love seeing people enjoy what I love about Jervis Bay, the beaches, the wildlife, the floral and fauna life. It is certainly a beauty to be shared and each time that come and stand in awe of all of this I think about how lucky we are. The sounds of the waves soothe the tension of everyday life in the city; the stressful sounds of construction, traffic and crowds all become alien to this environment. The feel of the waves washes away the tension and strain of being so constantly busy; The gentle breeze and the smell of salt air silently instructs our bodies to wind down and let everything go. A while back we seized watching television whenever we visited here; the stressful news stories about crime, social struggles and war are kept away here. This is a place where life is simple and tranquil. Paradise is where one can do all of this.