our travels: MY BLOG

Three weeks ago, I finished off my blog by asking everyone to stay safe in this time of uncertainty with the Corona Virus going mad all over the world.....and that we would continue on travelling, as soon as we could!

Well at the time, I really had no concept of what this virus was all about, and how much devastation it would cause to families and loved ones around the world.

How naive was I???

First I must explain here that this blog will now become more of a journal for me. We cannot travel....so for my sanity, I’ve decided to write this journal so this may continue on.....and let me express how we as a couple are feeling with every day life as we know it.

As I write ....I think you will understand why I’m doing this. So tune out if you don’t want to read this babble as it will sometimes be....because I’m the Queen of babble!

I loved English at school....and I always remember my lovely English teacher telling me....Jan.....write what you want to tell....but when you write...be descriptive...... everyone loves details....whether they read a book, read the trashy magazines, or read a true story...we need details!

So being that that’s very true...how many of us go on Facebook...or Instagram...and want details!?

So this won’t be a trashy magazine....but, ....these will be my details in truth.

This is for my grandchildren to read....or me to read ....maybe....later down the track....when questions can’t be answered by me.....

Here goes.....

Let me go back three weeks....

When Ed and I heard that the Australian State borders will be closing....we decided to get back to Tweed Heads as quick as we can, from South Australia... which I’ve said.

I needed to get back because of my Mum, here at Tweed in a nursing home. She had Dementia and I was expecting her not to recognise me.

Half way to Tweed, I got a phone call to say Mum wasn’t well, she was having trouble breathing. I thought straight away she had been affected by the virus..but.....

that wasn’t the case, I was told by a very compassionate doctor from the hospital....Mum had lung cancer and wasn’t expected to live long. He was so so sorry to tell me that over the phone. Needless to say, I was devastated as the word cancer had never been uttered before then.

So back to the nursing home we raced.

Being that the dreadful virus was around, the nursing home was in complete lockdown....as it should be...so I had to gown up, mask on, shoe protectors and gown, temperature taken given the all clear to go in...which made me look more like a nurse than someone’s daughter....but that’s how it was to be ....to be able to sit with her.

Luckily I got to spend 6 days with Mum before she passed away. It wasn’t pleasant seeing her like that, but I would not, or could not, have stayed away.

I sat and read to her, played her favourite music, and told her that she would soon be back with her beloved husband Bertie and that she was so loved.

Mum passed away peacefully about an hour before I went to see her the next day. It was a blessing for her...and I.

The staff did a guard of honour for her as she was wheeled from her home...which nearly broke both Ed and I....but that was the dedication of the whole nursing home....where Dad spent 11 months before he passed, and Mum had 6 years there.....they were wonderful carers...who really loved both Mum & Dad.

I was told by one of the carers......that when you lose your parents....you lose your past.....and that is so true. No longer can you ask them questions about their life and their times.

Mum and Dad went through the War....and experienced similar times as we are now....but I can’t ask them ......My Dad was in the Navy. He was a Mine Sweeper....which meant his ship cleared the mines that the enemy had put there. He loved it....but it was such a dangerous thing to do....but I can’t ask him.....how I wish I had of asked more questions....

Anyway....Thats enough explanation for now....we all have stories to tell...every one of us....but sometimes, for many reasons, we don’t get to tell them...sometimes it’s too late..

So for me...I love journaling (is that a word?)

Our travels will be told again..once we can resume...so this will be a bit different...but I think everyone needs an outlet..whether to grumble or just to say hello through these words i write.

It won’t be every day.....but for my sanity....just a mental blog 😂😂 literally..😜😜🤪🤪❤️❤️❤️❤️

We did go out for a bit of mental and physical exercise today (which you are allowed to do as long as you social distance yourself )

It was such a lovely day and I actually got to dip my toes in the water....

Beaches are closed, but this was Jack Evens Harbour today.