Arrival

Arrival BY: Elaine Lutton.

A Letter of Thanks

The other day I was thinking about what a mixed year this has been. A real curate's egg, good in parts. There have been the obvious not-so-brilliant aspects of the last twelve months, but on reflection, I have much to be grateful for. It all boils down to family and friends and I certainly seem to have been blessed in both departments. As regards family, today my son and his tribe of girls arrived from Melbourne. There is his wife Leigh and daughters Ava, Eadie and Penny in descending order. Being slightly nervous about their arrival, I had the whole place in what I considered to be, immaculate condition. However, my son gave the place the kind of inspection that only one's adult children are capable of doing. I think they are checking that one's mental capacities are still functioning in a proper manner and although it is kindly meant, am I alone in finding it slightly irritating? He did find a spot of dust under the charger of the vacuum cleaner which had to be removed, but really this was nothing compared to the chaos that three healthy primary school children reduced the place to within fifteen minutes of their arrival. Nevertheless, I know I have a good and loving son just as I am equally privileged in my daughter. She and her family live in Burpengary so I get to see her often. This Christmas she paid me the ultimate compliment of thanking me for being "a low maintenance mother". Whilst she was looking forward to nothing more exciting than sleeping and being with her husband and sons, her mother was out partying, eating oysters, drinking far too much Prosecco and Champagne and, so to speak, dancing on tables with her friends. There was so much laughter that another guest was heard to say "this is all very well but at our age, it does present issues of continence control". Many thanks to Bill and Peter who have organised these riotous events and during the past year have helped with the purchase and assembly of beds for my Berage (transformed garage) enabling Ferrari to sleep peacefully at night after his daytime exertions. Many grateful thanks to all my fellow partygoers who made the Festive Season so enjoyable. Other folk to thank are all the strangers that Ferrari and I have bumped into, thankfully not literally, whilst out and about. It would be great if all the courtesy and good manners showed both by pedestrians and riders of all persuasions, would extend right throughout 2021. Small children practising their "Hellos" and Goodbyes" accompanied by enthusiastic waves are a joy. Whilst I am writing my letter of thanks, I must not forget all those people on checkouts who are so patient with my fumbling’s, and pack my bags so much more speedily and efficiently than ever I could, and the patience of shoppers behind me who tell me not to hurry. More thanks to those of you who say you enjoy my writing in the Islander, especially Cherrie who has always encouraged me. You have no idea what a boost it is to my morale, or how much I enjoy writing them. Thank you, Anne, for putting Writer on my Rotary badge, you galvanized me into action after a long period of not venturing into the "realms of gold". Special thanks to Jack and Suzie at Bongaree P.O. who are patience personified when it comes to addressing my post, to Dr Nash, my dancing dentist and to Dr Khan, who should be on holiday in the U.K. but has remained here purely to make me laugh. Or so he tells me. Thank you to my accountant Ron, without whom I could not face Tax Time, the tellers at my bank, my computer man, Tony, my telephone man, Chris, and all those who have mowed my yard this last year and friends that have helped keep my home to rights. To Nikolai and Helen who managed to give birth in the midst of a Melbourne Lockdown, well done! Particular thanks to friends such as Pat, Marie, and Judith; close female friends are invaluable. I have begun to list people which is dangerous as I am sure to miss someone out and feel bad about it afterwards so to all who have shown me kindness over the past year, many many thanks. I must not leave before mentioning overseas friends such as Harriet, Jenny, Mary, Efrem and Luciana, Cousins Jill and Jane, my brother John and nieces Susan and Nikki. How fortunate I am to have such friends and family. To all, I hope you had as good a Christmas as I did, and let us pray that, with the help of a few needle jabs, 2021 will be a better year.