One of a kind

My wonderful Grandpa passed away on Friday evening.

He lived an amazing life for 89 years. He and Grandma would've celebrated their 67th anniversary next month.

They have 5 children.

15 grandchildren and a whopping 29 great-grandchildren.



I would say a life well lived.



My Mum, sister and I have flown over to be with Grandma for a few days in the home that they've lived in for 63 years.









This house contains oh so many memories!



The "mysteries" of Grandma and Grandpa's house still come alive for me even now.

My Grandpa was the most incredibly skilled carpenter.

















Everything in this home has been made by him - from cleverly designed cupboards to ornately carved mirrors, ball and claw feet on lamp stands and matching side tables for their lounge chairs. There is nothing he hasn't thought of!









My sister and I were in his workshed yesterday looking for the vacuum cleaner. We stayed in that shed for ages.... It smells like Grandpa.

It's full of tools and gadgets and bits and pieces - tins with nails, little cupboards with tiny boxes and I'm betting Grandpa knew exactly what was in every single one of them.



When they built this home Grandpa planted some fruit trees. The peach and the apricot are STILL fruiting 64 years later.







(check out the thick trunk!)



Every year Grandma and Grandpa dry, stew, bottle and preserve fruit so they can eat them year round. Ok, so there are more dried apricots in Grandma's pantry than I've ever seen but they are better than ANY you'll buy in the shops. (My sister and I have slightly gorged ourselves and are suffering the windy consequences!!!)



Both of my Grandparents are "old-school". They make the most of everything. Reuse and recycle aren't new buzz words for them - it's been a way of life forever.

If Grandma needed something fixed, Grandpa could fix it AND improve it.

No, they don't throw much away. And yes, they have a bit of clutter. But they've had a full life and have lived every minute of it.



Our generation thinks nothing of jumping in the car to drive around the block to pick up some groceries. These two walked.

We chuck cheap socks out when they have a hole. Their generation buys good woolen ones and darn them if they wear through.

We grab a quick bite to eat and plonk in front of the tv but they set the table for every meal, with a placemat, side plate, cutlery and a glass. They sit at their little table in their tiny kitchen and they dine.

Younger generations pass the day by working and rushing and telling everyone how 'busy' life is. These spend their time living. Making their garden beautiful, pruning and planting and picking the flowers they've grown. Sharing a cuppa, a bikkie and a chat with one of the many many friends they've made. They wave hello to the neighbours because they know them and write letters to those who no longer live nearby.



My Grandma is a lady and my Grandpa was a true gentleman.









They are a rare and precious generation.

I shall miss him so very much.

Xx

Lucas' adventure

Yesterday was Fathers Day here in Australia. Marc bought himself a second hand ride-on lawn mower and he and Lucas were taking turns riding around the yard. Lucas wanted to mow so Marc and I went inside for a cuppa.
I heard Lucas calling "Muuuum" in a tone that no mother wants to hear and this is what I saw...


Yep, that is a STICK piercing my child's chest. It goes all the way in to where his tank top is sitting.
He was pretty freaked out - um actually we all were!
We had to call emergency services as the nearest hospital is 30mins away in the next country town. They were amazing. They sent out an ambulance to stabilise him and they deployed the rescue chopper to air-lift him to Royal Perth Hospital.



Guess who went with him?




Yep, me. (The pilot took the pic and told me to "smile" - can you tell by the clenched hands I wasn't smiling on the inside?) Now guess who suffers REALLY badly with motion sickness?? Me again!
Mind you I was too busy stressing out about my son.....




Choppers are loud, very loud. But we got to Perth very quickly and before I knew it I was in a waiting room and Lucas was off. They x-rayed him to see how far it had gone in and made sure it hadn't hit any vital organs or arteries and then removed the stick.



It had gone in a nice 3-4 inches - good work Lucas.

After quite a few hours in a very busy hospital he was heading home. Wound flushed out and sutured and him pumped with painkillers and anti-biotics.
My wonderful parents had met us in Perth and drove us all the way back home.

Here's the important parts.

As soon as this all happened I knew what to do, stay calm. Call 000, explain clearly, don't panic etc. But I also knew there was a need for something far greater.
Here's where I get bold about my faith in God. I was praying, but I was in 'Mummy' mode so I needed others. I rang my Mum, my best friend in my hometown and a new friend up here. Gave them a brief description and asked for prayer. Within minutes people in both towns were lifting up my son in prayer trusting and believing that nothing had been ruptured or damaged and that he would be healed by the Master Healer.
Our pastors called us from ROME to let us know they were praying and how much they love us.
We were overwhelmed with txt messages and facebook posts supporting and praying for us.

Let me say quite clearly - prayer works. The doctors all told me that "he's a very lucky boy". Any higher and the stick could have gone in his throat, any lower, his heart and any deeper, his lungs.

I am so thankful for God's protection over my family. For His divine blessing on our lives. For His peace that enveloped me all of yesterday.

I am so grateful for loving friends and family who care for us. My parents, Marc's parents, the owners of the pub who gave Mum n Dad a room for the night and refused to charge them (we had no beds), the new friend who bought dinner over for us this afternoon and the one who came bearing chocolates and gifts and hugs tonight.

We feel so loved guys.
Thank you all and Praise Jesus.

Xx