Letters to Ann

Dear Ann

Well, here we are at this time of the year again. With big brother Philip having already reached the big 60,  David is fast approaching this milestone in his life.

It just about seems a lifetime ago when I was a mere 60, but over a quarter of a century has passed by since. I think the older you get the quicker time passes, but there is nothing we can do about it. Life goes on regardless.

However, whatever the age, birthdays are a special day & I feel should be celebrated. Where David is concerned he has been a little apprehensive about birthdays as his open heart surgery last year affected him immensely.

Joice, David and Dawn in the kitchen before heading out to dinner.

For David I think, death was a bit too close at that time, which makes one think of how long we, as individuals, have left on planet earth. However we must appreciate what we have in the now & concentrate on our blessings &, in my opinion, the biggest blessing is life itself & good health.

One of the nicest things that happened on David’s birthday was that my sister, Joice, was able to be with us, which was an unexpected surprise. I will tell you more about this later, but it will possibly be the last birthday Joice will share with David in person.

I think David really enjoyed having her share in the festivities too. His Auntie Joice was a very important person in his very early life.

David and Joice on his birthday

My mind went back to when David was a little fellow in his cot. Max & I were going to Melbourne for a holiday & Joice was looking after my two little boys, We delivered the children to Joice’s home just up the road & around the corner, along with David’s cot as he was only a few months old at that time.

Philip was already sleeping in a big bed – as we called it – & interested in things he could pull apart & see how they worked, which entertained him a lot. David also had an enquiring mind & was a very active child.

Joice later told us that we were hardly over Bass Strait when David learned how to climb out of his cot! The ultimate was that Joice & husband, Jan, at that time, had to use his play pen & fastened it securely on top of his cot to fence him in. I

think you have a photo of this in one of my letters to you – it was drastic measures for sure & we have had many laughs about that over the years.

Auntie Joice played a big part in David & Philip’s early life, so it was nice that she could be with David on his 59th birthday. I know David appreciated it too.

The plan was for all the family to meet at David & Lauren’s place, then we would all be transported to the Thai Restaurant, ‘Benjamas’, which is in town. I had been organised with my gifts well ahead that were taken up to the home to be unwrapped before we went out.

My birthday card was simple which just read:

“Even though you are not so small anymore you will always be my little boy. Some of my best moments. my sweetest memories will always be having a son like you. There is no doubt about that.

My Fond Love Always, Mum.”

We have talked at length in our Saturday afternoon chats about his young life, how inquisitive he was, how active & how it affected his adult life. And one of the things he mentioned to me recently in these chats of ours was when he was a teenage boy.

I had to go on those long trips up north during the Tupperware years. I would be away from home for at least three days & how he looked forward to his Mum coming back home. He said how very important this was in his life & it touched me deeply.

I think David had fun unwrapping his simple gifts after the main one eventuatedt. First was a little pen with his name on it saying what David meant…daring & determined..- that’s why I bought it, no words could be more true.

I also had for him a very beautiful tile from the San Antonio winery that can be used as a plate to place the kettle on or, as something to display, it is very attractive. I also bought a sign to be put up in the kitchen with words taken from the Desiderata which said:

“Lord grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

Courage to change the things I can, & the

Wisdom to hide the bodies of the people I may have to kill because they piss me off!”

David and his new kitchen rules.

The other thing i took along was a passionfruit sponge cake filled with whipped cream: David’s favourite all his life. I wasn’t asked to make a cake, I just did it out of tradition because David loves it so much.

When Lauren saw it on the kitchen bench, she said she hadn’t thought of a cake & was glad I had brought one along. I remember asking David what cake he wanted for his 21st birthday, which are usually very meaningful &, without a thought he said “A passionfruit sponge cake”!

So how could I not do it for the past 38 years!

Joice gave David a birthday card & said:

“I have nothing else for you except this card. but it comes with all the best wishes this world can hold for you.”

That was enough from Auntie Joice & great cuddles took place between Auntie & nephew. For me, it was great to witness the love shown between the two. There is no doubt that those very early years plant some very deep emotions.

I think the years when Joice & Jan, Max & I had our holiday house at Scamander & would take our four children – Philip, Kassandra, David & Michelle – there at every opportunity were years cemented in the bond & love held ever since.

Back to David’s birthday. The entourage then took place. David, Lauren, Joice, Pat & Dawn in one car. Riley in her car to pick up boyfriend, Dave, on the way & Georgia & Mick arriving at their own convenience, along with Charley.  We were all bound for David’s favourite restaurant, Benjamas.

Happy Birthday cake.

There was a lot more gift giving as we sat down which is always a joy to watch. A delicious meal was served & at the end the cake was brought in by the proprietor of the restaurant, with candles flaming as three beautiful ladies watched it being placed before David.

Three beautiful ladies: Charley, Dawn and Joice.

The beautiful ladies were none other than: Auntie Joice, Mumma Dawn & child, Charley Anne. It was a good birthday & our wishes to David is Many Happy Returns & good health along the way. It was a very happy evening & a birthday well celebrated with loving family.

Love you heaps. Dawn X O X O