Just Six Weeks

Not the best holiday.

I left Kununurra, chased by phantom blog haters, a week earlier and $1000.00 poorer than planned.  Menopausal and a little frightened, I took a bus to Darwin to catch the plane to Canada.. no connecting flight.  It was a long way to go…

After the 8 hour bus ride and 30+ hour flight, I take the train, a bus, catch the ferry and am picked up by my sister who informs me that mom is unwell and asks that I take her to the cardiologist, back in Vancouver. 

Mom makes an appointment for surgery, a pacemaker, for the day I get back from Cuba. A small cloud hangs over the festivities.. as I worry, just a bit. 

But… off to Cuba and fun in the sun.  I go early to meet Vas, who has made the trip to be with my family at this very important time in my son’s life. 

We have a great time.. amazing really.  The families hit it off and Vas fits in wonderfully.  We eat and drink way too much, which is what a wedding is all about: Celebration!

Everyone but the bride, groom, their parents and daughter, leave after a week.  These five stay on and explore Havana and the countryside.  They wallow in one another’s company.  

Back in Canada mom and I stay the night at my brother’s place, then mom goes in for surgery and Vas snoozes on the couch at the hospital. Then he returns to Australia and I head to Madeira to try and help mom as she heals. My efforts do not meet with a lot of success.

Still in his wheelchair, dad is getting stronger every time I visit. I take him for coffee in the morning.. until it snows and we can’t get out. 

Then we get a phone call that my brother’s step-daughter has died of a blood clot.  Suddenly.  Tragically.  Back on the ferry to Vancouver. 

I am back trying to help out in Madeira for almost a week before it is

back to Vancouver and the airport, where I discover that I have the wrong day, which leads to a few extra days at John’s.. which is good. 

I appreciate the time I spent with him and Lynne. 

Relaxing at my brother’s in Coquitlam, on the couch in my pajamas surfing Facebook, I discover that my son’s new father-in-law has passed on.  Suddenly.  Tragically. 

Not a good holiday.

But I learned a lot.  

It is just not that far from Oz to Canada.. and back again.  You can get on a bus.. pay a little extra and make a connection to almost anyplace. 

No one has to stay in a place that makes them unhappy.

And pacemakers work well.  Mom is hard to keep down because she feels so good!

Everyone has to take responsibility for their own life.

Jackie is learning about dad’s art and will be able to pass on the carving tradition to .. who knows?  Me?  Little Abby?  Dad has learned to share what happens in his shop and Jackie is growing as she helps out in Madeira.   

I learned about this new phase of life: and how we can always learn something new if we are willing to embrace the lesson.  And I am so proud of my family as they demonstrate this ability.   

There were moments when I got to see how Jackie sees the world: and I like it. 

Losing Chelsea allowed me to bear witness to the strength of my brother and Lynne.. and their relationship: the deep love and trust they have for one another.

Things change… and sometimes change happens in mere minutes and arrives tragically: but life goes on and after we cry and rant and rave, we deal with it.

And sometimes, when you think you’re at your limit, you can actually endure more, and it’s easier to survive great pain when you are helping others.    

I don’t think it is right that Abby lost her grandfather.  He could have made her world so much.. bigger, safer.. gentler.  I don’t think it fair that Travis lost his father-in-law when he really could have grown from even a couple of ‘George’ years. 

I sure as heck don’t think it’s fair or right that sometimes life just isn’t fair, or right.  

Nope.  Nor has it made any sense this last six weeks.  There have been such high highs and low lows: Total chaos.. but I’m still going along on the ride. 

My place is with Vas, and so that is where I am heading.  But my heart will be here in Canada with other people I love.  It really hasn't been much of a holiday. 

Here at the airport I’m going to say yet another prayer.. for everyone that loved and is a little lost this holiday season by the passing of Chelsea and George.

May they Rest in Peace.