It is amazing how many stages of grief a person can go through in a very short time. Grieving anything, or anyone can be individually heartbreaking but also cleansing and full of personal growth.
The day my husband returned to us to tell us we were now a homeless family – after everything he had been through that day already – he tried to easy my pain by showing me some of the treasures he managed to save before the house burned down.
This picture of our house and yard in full bloom was one of them.
I didn’t have the heart that day and for many weeks to come to tell him that I didn’t ever want to see that photo again, think about it or even hang it up elsewhere to forever remind me of our wonderful lost home. I couldn’t face my feelings and the memories of good times, happier times, times when we had no idea what challenges our friends, neighbours and us will have to endure in the future.
The future is here now. A future where the government tells us to stay home, mocks all of us that have lost so much in the summer bushfire disasters and are craving for our places of comfort.
So I put the picture up, to look at, to dream again, to remember what has been and will be. Because we are strong, we are okay, we can do this and so much more. On Kangaroo Island we are the lucky ones, we still have plenty of room, a big nature playground, space to ourselves everywhere to enjoy the sun, the freedom, the joys in life, so much to look forward to and so much to be grateful for.
You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to I’m now grateful he saved this picture, this memory, for us and forever.
Happy Easter. From me and mine to you and yours. X
Sabrina Davis 