The Return
The flight back to England was relaxing and felt rather decadent as I reclined in my seat. Tony insisted on taking care of the boys and the girls were engrossed in their iPods and books leaving me with my thoughts and memories of the time we'd spent with our family and friends. There'd been highs and lows, the former being far more prevalent despite the sombre reason for our visit.
We really couldn't have chosen a better time to return, it felt as if Rita had conspired with the universe to make the time as perfect as possible for her loved ones.
We had been there for the hundredth anniversary of Anzac Day which had truly been a wonderful experience. When we lived there we'd attended every year and always appreciated the efforts of all involved but this year the RSA groups, the councils and even the government had outdone themselves. The boys being most impressed and excited about the Orion Flyover. The girls by the professionalism of the events, for one day the good old kiwi 'she'll be right, mate' seemed to have taken a back seat as every effort was made to ensure it was rather than just hope.
We had also managed to spend a lot of time together, making an extremely large group wherever we went. One such trip was a day at Rainbow's End, a gift to us all from Rita. She'd wanted us to make the most of our time together. Some of us felt a little guilty until it was explained she didn't want us to bury her then simply disband. Rather she wanted us to support, help and love each other. The letter she left behind explaining that in this gift had given her a chance to think of something other than her health and her illness.
The hardest part about being with the rest of the family was that it made me more acutely aware of being separated from Emma. It really was an unnatural state and I was truly grateful for the speed in which the aircraft covered the miles that lay between us.
Much had happened in our absence, as life carried on for everyone. It had been exciting to hear of the birth of the new princess and yet strange to be away, Emma and I generally liked to share such things with each other. Just four years ago we'd watched the royal wedding together and had been witness to many milestones since, like many things we enjoyed the magic came from sharing them with each other and so being on opposite sides of the world from each other was a state best avoided.
I looked over at the girls who smiled back at me making me wonder how much of my thoughts they read or guessed. When Annabelle had asked me if I'd heard the news I had a clear and strong thought that another babe was on his or her way, a feeling which had made getting home to Emma feel even more urgent.
My mind was just replaying the conversations I'd had with Bryony, Rory and Emma the evening before, my thoughts being confirmed, my sense of urgency heightened.
I felt Tony take my hand and gently squeeze. "You're a million miles away", he said, "Try not worry, we'll be there soon."
I smiled and closed my eyes, trying to sleep. I was glad we'd had this time together, happy we'd been able to give Rita the send off she deserved despite her leaving being such an unwelcome event. More than anything I was glad to be returning to the place that was now home, and determined that it would be a very long time before I ever left there again.
We really couldn't have chosen a better time to return, it felt as if Rita had conspired with the universe to make the time as perfect as possible for her loved ones.
We had been there for the hundredth anniversary of Anzac Day which had truly been a wonderful experience. When we lived there we'd attended every year and always appreciated the efforts of all involved but this year the RSA groups, the councils and even the government had outdone themselves. The boys being most impressed and excited about the Orion Flyover. The girls by the professionalism of the events, for one day the good old kiwi 'she'll be right, mate' seemed to have taken a back seat as every effort was made to ensure it was rather than just hope.
We had also managed to spend a lot of time together, making an extremely large group wherever we went. One such trip was a day at Rainbow's End, a gift to us all from Rita. She'd wanted us to make the most of our time together. Some of us felt a little guilty until it was explained she didn't want us to bury her then simply disband. Rather she wanted us to support, help and love each other. The letter she left behind explaining that in this gift had given her a chance to think of something other than her health and her illness.
The hardest part about being with the rest of the family was that it made me more acutely aware of being separated from Emma. It really was an unnatural state and I was truly grateful for the speed in which the aircraft covered the miles that lay between us.
Much had happened in our absence, as life carried on for everyone. It had been exciting to hear of the birth of the new princess and yet strange to be away, Emma and I generally liked to share such things with each other. Just four years ago we'd watched the royal wedding together and had been witness to many milestones since, like many things we enjoyed the magic came from sharing them with each other and so being on opposite sides of the world from each other was a state best avoided.
I looked over at the girls who smiled back at me making me wonder how much of my thoughts they read or guessed. When Annabelle had asked me if I'd heard the news I had a clear and strong thought that another babe was on his or her way, a feeling which had made getting home to Emma feel even more urgent.
My mind was just replaying the conversations I'd had with Bryony, Rory and Emma the evening before, my thoughts being confirmed, my sense of urgency heightened.
I felt Tony take my hand and gently squeeze. "You're a million miles away", he said, "Try not worry, we'll be there soon."
I smiled and closed my eyes, trying to sleep. I was glad we'd had this time together, happy we'd been able to give Rita the send off she deserved despite her leaving being such an unwelcome event. More than anything I was glad to be returning to the place that was now home, and determined that it would be a very long time before I ever left there again.