HAPPY HOLIDAYS
In the of midst war, political strife and increasing uncertainty, it's important to have hope. Hope gives us the sense of being supported and cared for by the universe. Hope is an openness, a curiosity and a receptivity. It is an optimism about how things are going to reveal themselves because we are certain that the optimising thrust of reality moves towards balance. A renewed longing for harmony brings us comfort and strength. We realise life can be kind and so can we.
On 1 August, we experienced the sad and sudden departure of Mum, Nana, Jan or Grandma, depending on who she was for you. Mum was an advocate of hope. She hoped for many things during her life, rarely for herself but for countless others.
With 30 minutes of life left, outside on her trolley bed near the trees, accompanied by Diana and Alison, Mum was breathing softly and sporting sunglasses. I kissed her forehead and said, 'We love you, Mum. Thanks for everything. Have a great trip.’ She opened her mouth, but her words were inaudible. I put my ear to her mouth and she smiled a little and murmured cheekily, 'I haven’t gone yet!’
With less than a minute of life left, Alison I were sitting quietly with Mum and holding her hand. I touched Mum’s nose and upper lip briefly with a fragrant pink rose from Claire and Valentino’s garden, and said a prayer, 'God, take good care of Mum and keep her safe with you.’ Mum took her last peaceful breath and was free.
As this year comes to an end, may your soul be as free as a soaring eagle, rising above the challenges that surround you. This holiday season, may you also connect with the kind and loving spirit that binds us all, even in the most challenging of circumstances.
Celebration of Mum's life here: www.kings.etributes.com.au/etributes/elizabeth-hale/
JOHANNA
Johanna made trips to Melbourne in May, August and November this year to visit Sean and David and attend a professional conference, farewell Jan and support Claire's school production of the 'Adams Family'.
Jo spent time with her boys immersing in their lives. She enjoyed outings to multiple fabric shops, cafes and restaurants, a visit to the 'Impressionists' at LUME and some fun times hanging out in the local pool hall.
David's home cooked meals which involved sourcing unique ingredients from local businesses resulted in fun times and delicious dinners.
Johanna continues working part-time as a dietitian and has recently taken on a small role as a carer for a disabled single mom and her son, with naughty two dogs!
Yoga, pilates and the occasional cardio session are still a regular part of Jo's routine, as she learns to accept the gentle unravelling of time!
DAVID
With four years of Byron Bay restaurant experience under his belt, David started as a cook this year at Cutler & Co, a fine dining restaurant in a former factory located in the 'badlands' - the once notorious crime filled western end of Gertrude Street in Fitzroy.
David was drawn to Cutler & Co’s essence, and its mission to offer top end dining. Quality sans attitude.
This year David mastered degustation and a la carte menus alongside the famous wood-grilled ribeye - which is a long standing signature dish at Cutler & Co.
He heads back to Byron in 2024 to live with Kevin and save some money so he can relocate to Europe and continue his culinary adventures.
Bon Appetite!
SEAN
Last year Sean graduated with a degree in Fashion Design from RMIT and has completed his honours this year.
Sean can see that most people take care to stop their clothes from showing age, but as a new up and coming Melbourne fashion designer, Sean t/a Sean Serror, shares that wear and tear is where the inspiration starts.
Sean was featured in September's Vogue Magazine in the Vanguard Portfolio Designer pages.
He has spent endless hours and long days finishing his honours year collection. He has also continued his work at 'dot COMME' uptown on Swanston Street.
He will start 2024 by heading to London to complete an internship with Kiko Kostadinov.
Sean won the Australian Fashion Foundation Scholarship which includes the chance to work in NY in the near future.
LACHIE
With the worst of COVID behind us, some of us found ourselves exposed. It came to light that Lachie had utilised his precious lockdown time for secret training.
In 2023, Lachie's Brisbane Capitals Basketball Men's Team claimed the top spot in the Queensland State League regular season. John also emerged unmasked from basketball retirement to take on the role of the team's manager.
Lachie has set his sights on 2024 National League selection with Brisbane and is diligently training twice a day.
In his capacity as a part-time personal trainer and strength coach, John is being enlisted for 4 weight sessions per week with Lachie in the gym, in addition to maintaining his own running program.
With a likely muscle gain of 7kg to 10kg each, both of them will require new pants and shirts by March. John has just bought shares in GlaxoSmithKline, the makers of Ibuprofen (Advil)!
REBECCA THE ROCKET
This year Rebecca blitzed the Bridge-to-Brisbane 10km in 57mins. She has been driving leadership education for University of Queensland and progressing her studies in her Masters of Psychology.
A NIGHT OF STARS
Brisbane Basketball invited John and Johanna to the end of season awards night at The Greek Club in Westend to celebrate with Lachie and his team mates, including Brisbane Basketball Women's All Star and great mate Jasmine.
RUN FORREST RUN
John also came out of athletic retirement to complete the gruelling (hills) Brisbane Marathon! John was so hungry after 5 hours of running he was chewing on his medal! John covered over 1500 km (LA to Montana) in training from January to June! Run Forrest Run!
LAUREN
In March Lauren went to Europe. She sent wonderful snaps and messages from London, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Stockholm, Munich, Prague and Dresden before settling in Berlin. She successfully obtained a working resident VISA - an administrative and diplomatic feat.
She is now immersed in the 'Gesamtkunstwerk' and teaching kindergarten children English, Art and Magic Tricks.
Lauren made a beautiful video for Mum in her final hours, while sitting in a field of yellow daisies and wearing a purple sweater. Grandma loved watching the video and was always inspired by Lol's creativity and sense of adventure.
NOW THERE ARE FIVE
Dad is doing well and soldiering on. We are so proud of him. Dad has a new daily exercise routine and is now cooking for himself. Despite his hearing challenges, he is still as sharp as a tack, which bodes well for him being around for plenty more years. Go Dad!
Diana has reduced her property portfolio (selling in Tasmania and Queensland) and bought a new home in the farmlands of Doreen, NNE of Melbourne. Diana lives with her wonderdog 'April' and has lots of lovely spaces for Geert, family and friends to stay.
Philippa has been a great help to Dad, living only a few hours away in Ararat near her partner Damien. Phip is that family member who never misses sending a funny birthday card and a gift to loved ones. Phip is following in Mum's footsteps with her Renaissance inspired poetry being published recently. More creative works coming from Philippa in 2024 :-)
Alison is the clear winner this year, fending-off greedy heart surgeons wanting to operate on her. We are proud of the way Ali stayed open, asking better questions and continually checking and triple checking her results. In the end, a quick thyroid hormone rebalancing was all that was needed. Alison is back on the bike and track with fresh medals in her sights.
CLAIRE
Claire and Valentino's new home is an absolute gem! The garden is bursting with roses and 0-100km in 5s sports cars (Nissan 370Z) are appearing in the garage, vrrrrooom!
These two are still fresh from their recent escapades in Japan, where they savoured sushi, explored ancient temples, ate more sushi, mingled with the locals, devoured sashimi, witnessed the strength of sumo wrestlers, sipped on ice-cold beer, raced through Tokyo's back streets in drag cars, and indulged in dumplings, feeding deer along the way – oh, and did I mention they really, really enjoyed the sushi?
Now, the excitement continues as they jet off to Germany to celebrate Christmas with Lauren. These two thrill-seekers are bound to make every moment in Europe as exhilarating as their adventures in the Land of the Rising Sun!
IF YOU FIND IT'S ME YOU ARE MISSING
Rebecca and Claire sang a gorgeous duet, 'Homeward Bound' backed by cousin Quentin for Mum at her Celebration of Life.
21st
Lachie turned 21 in February. At his party, there were lots of loud drunk mates to look out for. We danced and partied hard in Brisbane's Valley district with a full complement of family and friends from far and wide, including Texas!
60th
John had an amazing surprise birthday seafood lunch at Rebecca and Jack's place. When Bec asked John to grab something from the pantry, out popped Claire and Valentino unexpectedly from Melbourne!!!
Bec and Jack spoilt us all with tickets to 'The Corrs' live concert at Sandstone Point Hotel. John had a great 60th birthday celebrating with Johanna, Jack & Bec, Valentino & Claire, Lachie & Charlie and Leo & Luna!
90th
For Dad's 90th Birthday celebration in February, John joined Mum and Dad for a quiet, no fuss lunch at the Jan Juc Hotel, near the sea.
Dad was due for a new pacemaker for his birthday, but due to COVID and Mum's passing, he waited until October. When I went to collect Dad post-op, he had at least two nurses fussing over him. Good to see Dad is still as charming as ever.
HOME OWNERS
John and Johanna left Brisbane's spiralling rental market in June and have their own home, thanks to a very generous cash injection from Mum and Dad to help avoid the banks. We love our new apartment situated in the fun and artsy Westend of Brisbane.
Our preferred home would be near the beach with a border collie, but for now, the city offers us the work life we need to pay the bills, keep investing for our retirement and increase our tithing.
GIVING SIGHT
Each month we give what we can to the Fred Hollows Foundation, who perform cataract surgery around the globe. In 2023, the Fred Hollows Foundation trained 53,133 surgeons, teachers, and nurses in how to restore people's sight.
Globally, there are 43 million people with avoidable blindness who can regain the gift of sight through cataract surgery. Cataract surgery provides one of the highest returns on investment of any disease intervention, delivering a $20 economic benefit to society for every $1 spent.
Ending avoidable blindness through medication, surgery, education, prevention and training helps lift people out of poverty and gives them a new lease on life.
SELLING BOOKS
In March, John was the closing speaker at Town Hall for the Rotary Centenary. As John walked off stage, queues formed for his books.
Alas, the Square Reader failed for 2 minutes. However, thanks to Jo's patience and common sense, she was able fix it and sell a couple of dozen books before John arrived back from the green room.
WORKING HOLIDAY
In October, John and Johanna escaped to picturesque Stradbroke Island staying above the amazing white sands of Frenchmen's Beach.
Jo played with the roos and joeys and sunbaked, while John led a daytime strategy workshop for the Island's community and industry leaders.
BUSINESS EXCELLENCE
This year, John was given the honour of judging the Scenic Rim Business Excellence Awards, which culminated in a magical awards night of fine dining, live music and a celebration of excellence.
Normally a little shy, Johanna shone. She chatted with award winners, the mayor and dignitaries alike.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
We wish you, our family and our special friends a happy holiday and all the best for 2024!
Sending love, hope and peace
John and Johanna
PS. Who said she was shy!
