Wednesday 18 December 2013

Good-byes and gatherings

 
I have just returned from the always stunning Coffs Harbour. Just. As in I still have bags and clothes strewn across the house. Where they will stay until I can somehow gather the energy and will to tackle the job.
Unfortunately I was visiting for the worst possible reason, and whilst there farewelled an amazing soul that was taken by the vile, despicable, repugnant, disgusting disease, cancer.
My wonderful cousin had been in a smack down with the disease for over a decade and had been victorious so many times, so when the news was given that the disease was now untreatable, we all still kind of believed that he would, once again, body slam that fucker. But cancer got the final blow this time.
So we all said goodbye in the only way my cousin would have approved - with a huge, bang up party where everyone gorged themselves, shared stories, laughed like loons, wept and got really pissed.
And instead of wallowing in my grief I am trying to take inspiration from my cousins life and spirit, for he was a person to always say yes to life, to take chances and to always embrace life's pleasures.
 
 
And to treasure the important people who make life worth living.
So we all shared the pain, and tried to help those who suffered the most, and gave our love and respect to a truly heroic person.
It felt wrong to do fun things and enjoy ourselves whilst away but with my kids with me I didn't want the trip to be all doom and gloom so we tried to break up all the family gatherings with some beach exploration,
 
 
 
 
appreciation of the beautiful area,
 
 
 
and the local wild life that enjoyed breakfast on our little balcony.
 
 
 
 
So beautiful.
We all enjoyed the beach that my cousin so adored.
I hope that my cousin is catching some waves and having a beer wherever he is!
 


13 comments:

  1. I'm sorry to hear about your cousin, Brooke. What a wonderful idea to celebrate his life and make something positive out of a sad situation.
    Coffs Harbour is utterly beautiful - those parrots! You make a gorgeous family! x

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    1. Thank you. He was a great guy ( an absolute larrikin and charmer all in one!) and his life was to be celebrated. When I was little I used to live in Coffs, so I love to return. Hopefully next time it will be under happier circumstances. X

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  2. O, honey, I'm so sad you've lost a cherished cousin.
    I haven't been to Coff's Harbour since I was a child.....love LOVE rosellas. I'm sure the cheeky buggers are prancing about with your cousin in some gloriarse sunshine! XXX

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    1. We will all miss him as he was a great guy. I lived in Coffs and surrounding area's as a kid so it is great to return and reminisce about the past. (Big Banana still bonkers!) I am sure my cousin is making the most of the sunshine and catching some enormous waves wherever he is. XXX

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    2. Oh Brooke, I am so sorry to hear about your cousin, I think it's lovely you all celebrated his life and spirit, the laughs, the tears and comfort help a lot, especially reminiscing about them and how they were, I absolutely believe he will be on a wave and having a beer somewhere - Coff's Harbour is beautiful x x x

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    3. Thanks. We had a great party to celebrate his life, which he would have loved, and we all remembered how great he was and I'm sure it did help everyone. XXX

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  3. You have the right viewpoint to treasure your life and I'm sure that your cousin would agree. Best wishes to you for your loss and it is so wonderful to hear how you paid tribute to your cousin.

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    1. Thanks. Life is a great gift and it should be celebrated - I'm sure my cousin would have approved of his big send off.

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  4. Oh I'm so sorry to hear about your cousin, Brooke. A big ass party sounds the perfect way to celebrate his life, he sounds a right character. What a beautiful place, even though you were there for a sad reason. xxxx

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    1. Thanks. The party with all its tears and laughs (and booze to free up the emotions!) was the perfect celebration for my cousins life - he was a character, and a great guy. XXX

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  5. I'm very sorry, I have lost many people from my family this way, cancer took them away. It's always so horrible and not fair!
    I think the way you said good bye to your cousin was very tasteful and he is looking at you now and smiling. Many hugs!

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    1. Thanks. Cancer isn't bloody fair and I could rant and rave about it all day long. I'm sure that my cousin was with us helping us to celebrate his life and boozing along with us.

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    2. Im sure of that too, when mygrandfather passed away I could feel his energy around, like his spirit was still there.

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