The Rowlands family together again - at last.
Well George has been coming to Australia nearly every month since Mum’s diagnosis. You may remember that we had Yuko, John and Emma (our neighbours in Singapore) now residing in Sydney visited us in Melbourne. They offered to reciprocate and we went to visit them last week.
Highlights of the trip:
1. Mya and Emma’s “homecoming” – talk about long lost friends – when they saw each other, there were spontaneous hugs kisses, holding hands and then it was like not a day had passed since they saw each other last. It looked like a reunion of long separated family members.
2. Mya slept in Emma’s room. Here first official sleep over. (Something she’s been wanting for a long time) Of course, George and I – the overprotective parent’s were sleeping downstairs, so it was a good ease in for both parties.
3. Seeing John and Yuko and their lovely (read smashing!!!) new house in Sydney.
4. Being treated to opening night of Don’s Party – second row seats at the Opera House!!! by John and Yuko.
5. Having 3 year old Emma for a whole day. She was just the best girl coming everywhere with the Rowlands family and it felt like the four of us really were a family.
6. Meeting up with John (who I haven’t seen for at least 15 years) and his new wife Elissa and baby son Tom. What a delightful couple and family. John’s mother shared a cabin on the boat when migrating to Australia. Maria was mum’s “koubarra” – Loretta’s godmother, and every year we had John over the Christmas holidays or we visted them in Sydney. We were like family, and there were frequent trips from Melbourne to Sydney and vice versa- a bit like what Mya and Emma are doing now. Despite being a very famous radio personality in Sydney John remains John in my eyes, and has become a lovely family man with a wonderful loving wife. It was so nice to meet the new and special additions to our extended family.
7. We also met up with Esther. Esther is the reason George and I are married. After the many proposals whilst holidaying in Queensland, I stopped in Sydney to visit my sister’s old neighbour and close friend of mine Esther Jean. (And if you’ve read Salvation Creek – you’ll know whose mother she is). Her advice was – “forget the great sex and the insatiable lust now just think if you can stand living with him in the future when he’s had a stroke and has a dribbling mouth. He has to be your companion for life”. Well that was the best advice anyone could have given me. Esther lives in a fantastic retirement village in outer Sydney which we walked around – it felt like being in a national Park or rainforest – I could move there tomorrow.
8. A fantastic Japanese meal with John and Yuko and friends. Followed the next day by a wonderful home cooked meal supplemented with the dishes they heard us rave about the most from the restaurant. Great hosts John and Yuko.
9. A fantastic Tuina (Chinese) massage by a doctor of Massage. It was supposed to be 1.5 hours but when he heard I was a massage therapist I got extra. Then we spent time swapping favourite techniques. I came home and everyone said I looked radiant. I do love my Chinese massage. There were even bars on the ceiling of the cubicle so he could stand on my back with his complete body weight. MMMMMMMMMMM bliss for my aching, neglected body.
10. And best of all was being with my husband and daughter AS A FAMILY again. No pressure running around seeing things, just relaxing with good friends and having a memorable time.
We look forward to John, Yuko and Emma's visit in November when George will be back in Melbourne to celebrate Mya's and his Birthdays.
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