ATOM feed
Two things happened this morning that set my mind towards today’s blog post. I was casting about a bit, and not wanting to put my Angel’s pictures away just yet, I hadn’t really decided to post.
So, as usual, I went reading first to see what everybody has been up to through the week. I’ve been working, so not here as often. The first thing was finding Puss-in-Boots, a new blogging grandmama from Queensland. Now, this is MY home state, so finding Puss was a buzz...
Then I went to see what Norvona is up to - and she talks about old friends and classmates. “Speaking of the ‘find your classmates’ sites....” - and travel -
Story of my life - losing friends - I grew up in North Queensland, leaving for the first time at age 17, I spent the next three years travelling foot-loose around Australia, spending time in such far-flung places as Tenants Creek in the Northern Territory, Perth in Western Australia and Sydney in New South Wales. I returned to Townsville and married for the first time at age 20.
I had my 21st birthday in Sydney, and my 22nd birthday in Auckland, in New Zealand, having decided to take a look there after my marriage broke up. I spent the next 16 years in New Zealand, married again and raised my two children, well, almost... I moved back to Australia (but not to Queensland - we went to South Australia) with my daughter in 1982, leaving my son, who had finished schooling and just started his first job, in New Zealand in the care of his father.
By 1984 I was married again, and divorced again in 1995... prompting what so far has been my last move, back home to Queensland. Along this journey I have made many friends, and called various collections of husband’s rellies ‘family’. I have managed to leave behind almost all of those friends, not quite all - and whole ‘families’ lost at the stroke of a divorce...
I really wouldn’t change very much about my life so far, I have no complaints and only one regret; but I do envy the people I see around me who are still living in the area they grew up in - being part of a community that knows each other and grew up together, with long-standing friends and kids that did the same. I have kids scattered across Australia, and their immediate families are in New Zealand.
I wonder if we have ‘find-your-classmates’ sites in Australia?
So, as usual, I went reading first to see what everybody has been up to through the week. I’ve been working, so not here as often. The first thing was finding Puss-in-Boots, a new blogging grandmama from Queensland. Now, this is MY home state, so finding Puss was a buzz...
Then I went to see what Norvona is up to - and she talks about old friends and classmates. “Speaking of the ‘find your classmates’ sites....” - and travel -
Story of my life - losing friends - I grew up in North Queensland, leaving for the first time at age 17, I spent the next three years travelling foot-loose around Australia, spending time in such far-flung places as Tenants Creek in the Northern Territory, Perth in Western Australia and Sydney in New South Wales. I returned to Townsville and married for the first time at age 20.
I had my 21st birthday in Sydney, and my 22nd birthday in Auckland, in New Zealand, having decided to take a look there after my marriage broke up. I spent the next 16 years in New Zealand, married again and raised my two children, well, almost... I moved back to Australia (but not to Queensland - we went to South Australia) with my daughter in 1982, leaving my son, who had finished schooling and just started his first job, in New Zealand in the care of his father.
By 1984 I was married again, and divorced again in 1995... prompting what so far has been my last move, back home to Queensland. Along this journey I have made many friends, and called various collections of husband’s rellies ‘family’. I have managed to leave behind almost all of those friends, not quite all - and whole ‘families’ lost at the stroke of a divorce...
I really wouldn’t change very much about my life so far, I have no complaints and only one regret; but I do envy the people I see around me who are still living in the area they grew up in - being part of a community that knows each other and grew up together, with long-standing friends and kids that did the same. I have kids scattered across Australia, and their immediate families are in New Zealand.
I wonder if we have ‘find-your-classmates’ sites in Australia?
9 Comments
Oh Della, I can really relate to wanting to live in one place for most of your life. I, too, have moved all over the place. All around NZ (I also lived in Auckland) when I was a kid, went to countless schools and continued the trend when I married. However, since I have been in Aust, I actually lived in one place for 6 1/2 years! However, that is my life's journey and on looking back, I have learnt a lot. You will have too.
Take care, fellow Qlder. Hugs
Della, this is so good. Are you ever as amazed as I am at how much all of us have in common, even when our lives seems so different?
I'm going to finish my thoughts on this for tomorrow’s blog.
Take care...
Norvona
I too was reflecting on the loss of friends as I've moved through different stages of my life, and I wonder if it's the norm for people in our age group. Our generation is probably more mobile than previous generations and that may be a big reason. My mother, in her 80s, is still in touch with friends she had as a child, on the other side of the country. That was her one major move in life, moving from NY to California. It's sad for her now that these friends are passing away but she's had a lot of friendships over the years. By comparison I've had so few. They've been good friendships and I've been happy with that situation, but what will that situation mean for us as we get older?
You're right Della I didn't give my review on the Bobby Darin film "Beyond the Sea".
I thought it was excellent. Kevin Spacey did a great job of directing & at times he even looked like Bobby. Critics have said that when he did the film he was older in real life than what Bobby was when he died at 37, but what the hell this was a one man's love of another man's life and career and he wanted to show Bobby's life warts and all to the world. Kevin did his own singing and a great job he did of this. Sometimes you would even think it was really Bobby singing. Great movie, great singing, some good dancing. Proberly will only have a short run at the cinema, but when it comes out on DVD go and view it, altho' nothing is better than watching it on the big screen.
An interesting posting about your life and thoughts. So many different places and memories, But I understand your feeling of not having firm roots, but I daresay you also have some wonderful experiences in all of those places. I am interested in going to NZ again, after last year visiting the south island, so I may get some tips from you beforehand. I loved the South Island.
val has made some good points, I think maybe we need to make new friends as we get older !! that doesn't seem to happen so much, but there is no reason why Not !!.
Best wishes
Hi puss-in-boots, we keep learning I reckon; I've just worked out that this house is my longest home yet - 10 years next year. Thanks for visiting.
Norvona - yes, the same thing is starting to amaze me - such different paths, so many similarities of thought..
Wazza, it is one DVD I will be watching out for, for sure. We don't get out to the movies much, but with PayTV and videos we eventually get to see most things.
Lindsay - I've always found the best way to make new friends is to reach out - perhaps we do that less as we get older? I find I get more satisfaction these days out of solitary activities than I used to - more settled in myself I guess..
Val .. I think you are right, the reflection is definitely coming from this stage of our journey - and on further reflection I can see that the people who have 'stayed' in my life are family.. that's a thought worth pursuing too I reckon.
Hello Della ~ You have had an inteesting life with lots of changes
and homes. A great experience for you
You have really lived, which is good.
Thanks for sharing your story with us
Also, thanks for your comments.
Take care, Merle.
you wondered about any Australian school friend sites - try
http://schoolfriends.com.au/
I found a couple of my old school friends there,
thanks Merle, yes, lived I certainly have, I have been thinking lately that is why I am so pleased to have come to a 'rest-spot'.
Erica, thankyou, I am off to have a look - will report back on what I find.
:-)
Della
Post a Comment
Links to this post:Create a Link
<< Home