Tag: loss

February 2026

The end of February caught me off guard. Such a short month with many things going on! “Back to school”, I repeat. My daughter corrected me when she was a secondary student, telling me that it was back to school for her, but back to work for me. Absolutely right.

I think about the teacher/learner, work/school, dichotomy. I love teaching because it’s eternal learning. I love my job because I learn and connect. I have a privileged opportunity to make a difference. So many new things to learn in all kinds of ways: new students, new curriculum(I’m teaching art!), new leadership role (Marrung Lead– so humbled to take on this role) and a new team in our office. I miss having Peter in our office. My son-in-law is one of the best men I know. I’ve been so lucky to have him in my office for the last couple of years. When I recollect what’s happened in the past month, moments of such variety, I feel overwhelmed by the constant change. The overload of input and output and the range of feelings. I have noticed a shift in my energy levels and capacity to get things done. I have cried a lot about the losses that have rewarded me with this time and energy.

I went to my grandson’s first market stall. I bought a necklace he made and have received plenty of compliments about it. I feel so pleased that he is learning these entrepreneurial skills at a young age.

I could get ai to improve this writing for me, and the reader would likely appreciate it. I want to be considerate, but this is a space that has never been well read, so I’m just doing it for me.

The best thing I’ve read this month: https://tommydalts.substack.com/. It’s inspired me to write more words, rather than just sharing what I’ve been into.

This review was a good read. I never liked the novel. I love the Kate Bush song, as the introduction to enjoying her music for a lifetime.

Back to Living

Re-establishing Order
It’s been a pretty demanding week, yet I am blessed with another day’s grace from facing work. We have a mid-year break long weekend. Today I get my home in order! It’s ridiculously messy and chaotic. I have been coming and going for almost a week. So many family members have been at my parents home and so I have spent most of my time there.
Little Incident
We had a thief in the early hours of Wednesday morning, last week. I disturbed him/her because I was sleepless and stepped out my front door and noticed the light on in my car. I panicked, rushed back into the house and locked the front door. I lay in bed really still hoping I was wrong. Pathetic reaction I know. When I told the men in my life the next day, they dismissed it as a reflection. With all the chaos, Andy didn’t notice until Saturday that his good camera had disappeared from his car. He phoned the police, who came around and took a statement. An hour later they phoned to say they had the camera and had caught the culprit. Great result.
Pa
There is so much to say one day about my amazing grandfather. I am bursting with gratitude right in this moment for having been blessed with such a role model and loving person in my life. Other moments I feel crushed and just want to pop over and visit him one more time.
Support
I have received so much support and love from others. Visits, flowers, chocolates, consoling books, phone calls and a most wonderful card from my students. The card had a loving message from each kid in my class and I can’t find words to express how much that meant to me. I knew I had an awesome group this year and they just keep proving me right.
Raining Challenges
When I look back on the last two weeks, I feel strong. Apart from the shattering loss of Pa, I’ve had gastro/flu, a theft, we had a fire at our school and the art rooms burnt down last weekend (not that I was too helpful as I’ve been so absent lately) and numerous small incidents that occur when large families gather, yet it’s over now and I am ready to return to living.

I’ll leave you with this quote from my Pa that captures his essence brilliantly. He said this at my cousins wedding in his speech a couple of years ago:

“It doesn’t matter what wealth or worldly goods you accumulate in this life, the most important asset you will ever acquire is your family”

Cyril Lyons 2005

Back Soon

My pa died on Wednesday 14th. I loved him so much and feel so blessed to have had him in my life. My large and wonderful family and awesome friends are spending time together crying and laughing and remembering all that we loved. I feel loved, supported and devastated all in waves. The funeral is tomorrow. That’s all I can say for now.