3 posts tagged “family”
Just got back from a week in Tasmania with my sister and her family. It was delightful!
I live about an hour-and-a-half flight away from her, her partner and my two nephews (and the lovely girlfriend of the elder boy), and I really don't get to see them often enough, given that short journey.
I'm always made so welcome. I spend most of my time alone, so to see people's faces light up when they see me arrive at the airport is very gratifying and good for my well-being in ways that no drug high could ever match.
We don't do much when we're together. Theirs is a busy household, with everyone in it occupied with careers, study, lessons of various kinds, computer games, the dog (Monty) and just normal life. It's just what I want though - to slot into the daily activity: a bit of brekkie, conversation, walks with the dog (not as much this time, 'cause it was so blustery with the equinoxal winds blowing hard in Hobart), a trip to the museum/art gallery (which my brother-in-law always ensures I get each trip), a bit of shopping, cooking together, movies in the evening.
A great break from my usual life, and I hope that I've made it clear to them all how precious is the hospitality and affection they show me.
An intriguing site that should while away quite a few hours, especially if you right-click and open in new window to see each and every entry! One hundred young photographers posted images they'd taken of those they love - a slice-of-life, slice-of-viewpoint look into the worlds of others.
If you had one month to live, what five things would you do?
Suggested by Acerebel.
1. Stop working and get my lump sum superannuation so that I could do 2 to 5.
2. Spend a week making sure all my affairs were in order, including a) stripping my computer of anything in which I ever said anything less than pleasant about someone else so that it would never be found to hurt them; b) making sure my unpublished art was printed and framed, and provided to a reputable artist's representative, to sell with a view toward increasing my estate for my loved ones; and c) tidying my home so that no one was left with that burden.
3. Arrange a pre-funeral party, that I could attend, with all my friends and family, good music, great food, lovely conversation, and a heartfelt 'thanks for everything and farewell' from me. (Did this once before when I was diagnosed with leukaemia, and it was a wonderful afternoon.)
4. Take one last trip for a week-and-a-half with special friends and family (they know who they are), first class to Paris or Hokkaido or Edinburgh or maybe even Chicago, to hear the blues. Oooh, hard to choose!
5. Pay whatever it cost for me, my family and some other much-loved ones to reunite for a week in a lovely spot, such as on Vancouver Island, to remember only the good times, and then try to slip gracefully away into whatever awaits us next, whether it be Paradise or oblivion.
