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When sharing matters
Anniversary It’s been seven years now, but the anniversary of my husband Paul’s death still has the potential to make me emotionally fragile for a while. Sometimes I get through it okay. But it only takes the heightened emotion of a happy event or someone else’s sadness to bring me undone. And last week I experienced both, so it was always going to be hard. I’ve learned to accept that. If you’d met me seven years ago, you would have encountered a fairly reserved person who hesitated to share anything personal with others, even friends. If you’d met me then, I might have seemed aloof to you or even a…
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Remembering who I am
Exercise It’s Tuesday morning. Time for Pilates, a form of exercise designed to engage and, hopefully, synchronise my brain with my body. I lie on the Reformer bed lifting and lowering my legs. The familiar patterns of movement free my brain enough for me to ask Monica, my Tuesday instructor, if she had a good weekend. “Yes”, she said. Apart from giving some extra classes, she’d been for a beach swim and caught up with friends. I move on to the next exercise—leg circles, in both directions. Re-engage brain, remember which muscles to use, remember to count. Did she say ten or twelve repetitions? “How about your weekend?” she asks.…
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Photographs, memories and love
We sat there in the shade of the blue canvas umbrella, trying and failing to stay cool. Microscopic beads of perspiration formed on our skin in the heavy humid heat, giving each of us a certain glow we would gladly have done without. Celebrations It was our national day—Australia Day—and we’d gathered to celebrate our friend’s birthday once more, a group of friends, some old, some new. I guess it’s our stage of life, but somehow the conversation turned to weddings. And our birthday friend brought out the photo album her son and daughter-in-law had given the family at Christmas, a beautiful momento of the day they were married, just…
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Not there yet
The other day I was astonished to realise that I’ve been in my current home for five years. Where have those years gone? Did I forget to pay attention? Or was I just too busy doing life? But when I slow down enough to remember all that’s happened during that time, my perspective changes completely. I feel exhausted just thinking about it! Moving house All that upheaval, moving from our home of many memories to a house with none, at least, none of ours. And all that energy, packing up a life, only to unpack it again and then to cull, divest and downsize. And all that not-knowing, as I…
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Generous words and other warm fuzzies
I believe it was Mark Twain, master of the literary one-liner and the quotable quote, who said that he could live for a whole month on one compliment. My friends, I know exactly what he means! Your interest in my new Time project and your generous words have boosted my energy and lifted my morale. Thank you! A generous audience When I’m alone at my desk day after day, following the trail of an idea, refining my craft or concocting a plan, I simply cannot forget how important it is to have an audience. Especially one as generous as you are! Over the last two weeks you’ve shared your enthusiasm…
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An unexpected year
Looking back One of the things I love about this time of year is the unstructured days and spontaneous possibilities. I know it’s not everyone’s idea of fun, but I revel in it. Besides, it means I have time to look back over the year that’s just ended. Maybe you’ve done that too and given 2017 a rating. How well did it measure up to your hopes and expectations? Was it a good year, maybe even a great year, or was it discouraging and difficult? For me, 2017 was all of those things, but mostly I’d say it was unexpected. Things have been pretty quiet lately on Write What You See.…
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The Wonder Interviews begin
It’s been a while since I first wrote this piece, but the idea behind it is still percolating away in my brain. I hope to take it further some day. Just over a month ago, I walked up to a three complete strangers individually and introduced myself, asking if I could interview them briefly. I gave each woman a shiny orange business card and my best ‘trust me’ smile to reassure her that I wasn’t a crank, and I have to say they were all remarkably good sports! Each one generously agreed to a quick photo and a short interview. We were part of a growing throng of women outside Hall…
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Letters to Emma now a book!
PLEASE NOTE: This website now has a page with more information about my book, Letters to Emma: a memoir of grief and God’s love—just click here or on the BOOK menu option above. Exciting news After months of editing, designing, proofreading and printing, my book, Letters to Emma: a memoir of grief and God’s love is now in stock at the publisher, Matthias Media! Find out more here If you’re keen to find out more about the book, click on this link. It will take you straight to Matthias Media’s Australian website. No searching required. And once you’re there, you can: read a preview watch a short author video or order the book!…
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In praise of little things
One day last week I was out walking in my neighbourhood enjoying the amiable sunshine and flirty breeze, when out of the corner of my eye (though why my eyes, which are not square, should have corners at all, I do not know) I glimpsed a spent camellia flower drop from its branch to the garden below. Silent descent It took one silent second for the faded magenta bloom to make its descent. No announcement, no warning, no fanfare. So if I had blinked or directed the corner of my eye in a different direction, I would have missed it completely. Would that have mattered? At this time of the year on Sydney’s upper north shore, it’s…
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Battling bugs and flaming arrows
I think whoever finds an antidote for the more than 200 viruses that cause the common cold will become an instant billionaire, and receive the praise and gratitude of people everywhere. Having coughed and sniffled my way through three out of the last four weeks, I know I’d be standing in line to thank them! Sickness Apparently, no one can ever develop immunity to these viruses—there are simply too many of them. That’s why the common cold is so (ahem) common. For some people, including me, these viruses can also lead to infections like sinusitis or bronchitis, and so a cold is never just a cold. But before your eyes glaze over, let me…
