Tag: family

December 2025

I turned 60 this month. It feels ridiculous.

It will be our first festive season without Dad. His past presence is felt deeply in his absence. I’ve been thinking about the great care we received at the end of his life. Some places are a soft place to land when life feels particularly heavy. At O’Mara House, we found a true community of care at a time when my dad needed it most.

The Conversation: What can trees teach us about resilience and loss? A grieving daughter reflects. “She asks “what would the world look like if care became our organising principle?””

The Conversation: How charitable are Australians? “Evidence shows that both giving and receiving from others is associated with better mental health.”

Rune Soup: The Purpose of Ghosts

I’m pleased to finish this year. Amongst the challenges, there have been good things. I feel closer to my siblings. I appreciate the loving support from my family and friends. I’ve experienced joy as my kids and grandson grow and live good lives and share them with me. I have made home improvements, getting my fence repaired (thanks Peter) and bought furniture I love in the bedrooms. I achieved the VIT registration, as much as it annoys me that I had to do it. My collegues at work have been fun to work with and I couldn’t ask for more a more supportive workplace. I have continued learning astrology and Portuguese. I read 31 books, according to Goodreads; I think there were more, but I haven’t kept it up to date. I’ve donated money to causes that I care about.

January 2025

I’m back to work after a long and warm summer. Teaching has exceeded my expectations. I enjoy walking around the school, speaking to people and getting to hear about a wide variety of lives lived. I like the routine of the days and the learning.

I don’t have any posts to share this month. I have read a lot, but there’s been a lot of doomscrolling, so why share that – it’s everywhere!

I’ve joined Substack and spend my attention there. I haven’t posted and may never.

I’ve enjoyed reading this summer and lots of time with my family.

Here is a photo with a view from the hammock I shared with my grandson last week. Time with him is precious to me.

I’m Spoilt

I’ve got some awesome presents this month. I haven’t really had time to take it all in before now. Everyone seems to have left town now and I am home and have the house to myself so I have been noticing how spoilt I’ve been.

My kids gave me a pile of my favourite DVDs as well as aromatherapy treats, new headphones for my much loved and used ipod and a great photo file. My dear brother has delighted me in many ways by giving me a beautifully framed family photo taken at his wedding last year. I treasure it. He has also given me a stack of great music, which is an annual treat from him. I have been enjoying them for the past couple of days. He also got me a grill as my family has a Kris kindle type thing with the grownups. My parents gave me quite a few great gifts, as they always do, it’s cause I still believe in Santa and I’m a very good girl, but my favourite is the crisp white sheets. I love white sheets, especially new ones!

This month of December, with my birthday as well I have been literally showered with great presents from all my friends. The kinds of things I really wanted too. The kids at school spoilt me as well on their last days with very generous pressies.

Tonight Andy has surprised me with a belated gift and I am gobsmacked. I love astrology, yet most people in my life don’t seem to recognise that. Not sure why that is, anyway he has given me a Jonathon Cainer subscription for the next year and I am over the moon about it.