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Today we took Phil to St Vincent's hospital. He's actually in the hospice section - a brand new wing of the hospital - in a spacious room with city views. He's been admitted for a couple of days so they can stabilise him and he should be home by the weekend.
But he's not happy about staying and was actually quite agitated for a while. However after reassurances from Dr Carmen he settled, and Mum and I left him in an OK mood. Matthew is staying the night with him as well and that cheered him up a lot. In fact, Dr Carmen asked who else wanted to stay and she would arrange the beds :-)
While we love having him at home, we do recognise the need for expert help and attention when it's necessary. And it will give Mum a break. Tonight she can have a full night's rest and catch up on a few chores tomorrow before she goes up to see him.
We both look forward to him coming home and caring for him again. But for now he's where he should be - in the capable hands of the angels at St Vincents.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
One day at a time
"Life is what happens when you're busy making plans". If all had gone according to plan I would have been on my way back to TI today, unpacking and settling back in tomorrow and ready to start my new job at the high school on Wednesday.
But life happened and I'm still here. Since arriving home from our weekend in Adelaide I've been spending my days at Mum's and spending my time with Phil. For a while I was undecided about what to do - do I go back to the island and plan to come back in a few weeks? Or do I stay on for another week or two, go back to TI and wait for the phone call?
And then the decision was made for me. Phil had a particularly bad day and after I had helped Mum to settle him I knew that I didn't want to be anywhere else. I am grateful to God and the Universe that I have been given the privilege to spend this precious time with him.
Our days have a certain routine. In the mornings he tends to be restless until the nurse arrives and sets him up for the day with his meds. After that he rests - dozing, waking for short periods, dozing again. During this time Mum will sometimes try to get him to eat something - and he does try, although he doesn't always have appetite.
It's in the afternoon that he seems to perk up a bit. Maybe he's now rested and has a bit of energy, maybe the meds have kicked in and his pain is just a tad less. For that reason, the late afternoons have been a time to relax and enjoy each other's company.
I'll sometimes pour myself a glass of wine and Phil may join me with his chocolate drink. Although the other day he asked me to get him a beer from the fridge and we toasted each other - wine glass to beer can :-)
I go home about 6ish and give the rest of my time to Rob who has been so patient and kind. He's going through his own discomfort as he heals from the back injury he sustained about 5 weeks ago. I think he prefers time on his own - I tend to suggest that he do things, go places - and he'd rather not. Joking aside, he has been very understanding about my need to be with Phil and never complains.
I fall into bed at night exhausted. And tomorrow is another day.
Life is what happens ........
But life happened and I'm still here. Since arriving home from our weekend in Adelaide I've been spending my days at Mum's and spending my time with Phil. For a while I was undecided about what to do - do I go back to the island and plan to come back in a few weeks? Or do I stay on for another week or two, go back to TI and wait for the phone call?
And then the decision was made for me. Phil had a particularly bad day and after I had helped Mum to settle him I knew that I didn't want to be anywhere else. I am grateful to God and the Universe that I have been given the privilege to spend this precious time with him.
Our days have a certain routine. In the mornings he tends to be restless until the nurse arrives and sets him up for the day with his meds. After that he rests - dozing, waking for short periods, dozing again. During this time Mum will sometimes try to get him to eat something - and he does try, although he doesn't always have appetite.
It's in the afternoon that he seems to perk up a bit. Maybe he's now rested and has a bit of energy, maybe the meds have kicked in and his pain is just a tad less. For that reason, the late afternoons have been a time to relax and enjoy each other's company.
I'll sometimes pour myself a glass of wine and Phil may join me with his chocolate drink. Although the other day he asked me to get him a beer from the fridge and we toasted each other - wine glass to beer can :-)
I go home about 6ish and give the rest of my time to Rob who has been so patient and kind. He's going through his own discomfort as he heals from the back injury he sustained about 5 weeks ago. I think he prefers time on his own - I tend to suggest that he do things, go places - and he'd rather not. Joking aside, he has been very understanding about my need to be with Phil and never complains.
I fall into bed at night exhausted. And tomorrow is another day.
Life is what happens ........
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Being with Phil
Courage takes many forms. I see it every day as I sit with my brother Phil and watch as he courageously and silently battles with this cruel disease.
Phil spends most of his time lying on an outdoor bed on Mum's front porch. It's quite pleasant there - lots of greenery, a bird bath, fresh air. There's also a recliner, a camping chair and a small table on wheels that doubles as a bedside table for him. Phil is never alone - there's always someone to sit with him, to chat, to listen or to just be. So one or both of the chairs are usually occupied as well.
Little things mean a lot. A day when pills are taken on time and pain is kept at bay is a good day. A day when food is kept down is an even better day. A day when he has appetite and asks for something that he likes has Mum smiling.
His world is now between two rooms. Sometimes he gets up and goes to lie on the bed set up in the lounge room - it's softer :-) But mainly he stays on the porch - he doesn't like being inside. We now take our meals al fresco so as to be with him, although he does tell us to eat inside at the table. But I for one like eating with him - especially if he's enjoying his food, little as it may be.
We are both comfortable in each other's company. I'm happy to sit and not talk - I'll have a book to read or my knitting. But more often than not he's on for a chat and we'll talk about anything and everything. Sometimes it's deep and meaningful, other times it's trivial.
His son Matthew comes after lunch and I'll leave them to enjoy a game of backgammon. Matt also sits with him into the night as this is his worst time.
One day flows into the next but not all days are the same. Each day I look forward to being with him and sharing time with him - be it quiet time, or time rubbing frankincense oil or deep heat on his legs to help relieve some pain, or time talking about things that I'd rather not be talking about.
Every day I see courage as I sit with Phil. He doesn't complain, instead he worries that he's being demanding - he's not. Every day as I watch my brother in pain my heart breaks for him. I want to hug him but I can't because it would hurt him. So I hug him with my eyes, my words and a soft kiss on his forehead.
Life - please be gentle with Phil.
Phil spends most of his time lying on an outdoor bed on Mum's front porch. It's quite pleasant there - lots of greenery, a bird bath, fresh air. There's also a recliner, a camping chair and a small table on wheels that doubles as a bedside table for him. Phil is never alone - there's always someone to sit with him, to chat, to listen or to just be. So one or both of the chairs are usually occupied as well.
Little things mean a lot. A day when pills are taken on time and pain is kept at bay is a good day. A day when food is kept down is an even better day. A day when he has appetite and asks for something that he likes has Mum smiling.
His world is now between two rooms. Sometimes he gets up and goes to lie on the bed set up in the lounge room - it's softer :-) But mainly he stays on the porch - he doesn't like being inside. We now take our meals al fresco so as to be with him, although he does tell us to eat inside at the table. But I for one like eating with him - especially if he's enjoying his food, little as it may be.
We are both comfortable in each other's company. I'm happy to sit and not talk - I'll have a book to read or my knitting. But more often than not he's on for a chat and we'll talk about anything and everything. Sometimes it's deep and meaningful, other times it's trivial.
His son Matthew comes after lunch and I'll leave them to enjoy a game of backgammon. Matt also sits with him into the night as this is his worst time.
One day flows into the next but not all days are the same. Each day I look forward to being with him and sharing time with him - be it quiet time, or time rubbing frankincense oil or deep heat on his legs to help relieve some pain, or time talking about things that I'd rather not be talking about.
Every day I see courage as I sit with Phil. He doesn't complain, instead he worries that he's being demanding - he's not. Every day as I watch my brother in pain my heart breaks for him. I want to hug him but I can't because it would hurt him. So I hug him with my eyes, my words and a soft kiss on his forehead.
Life - please be gentle with Phil.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Weekend in Adelaide
You know for someone who never wanted to live anywhere else, i.e. Brisbane, I've developed quite a love for a number of other places :-) We all know how I feel about Thursday Island - and have I mentioned I could also live in Cairns? Well let me now add Adelaide to that list.
Rob and I flew there last weekend for the second time in six months. The occasion? The wedding of Lauren - Rob's lovely daughter, and Adam - his now lovely son-in-law. Adelaide turned on a beautiful day - warm, sunny and inviting - and all the guests arrived with one thing in mind. We were there to celebrate the union of a wonderful couple, and to support them in starting out their life together.
When we come together like that in love and friendship, then we are assured of a joyful and fun time.
This weekend was special to me for another reason. A couple of years ago I joined an on-line forum and since then I have become friends with a group of very special women. We share so much. We support each other through the tough times and delight in our joyous times - weddings, birthdays, holidays - any and all celebrations.
I've had the pleasure and privilege, over the past few years, to meet up with some of these wonderful women. We live all over Australia - so once a year we try to organise a "meet". Unfortunately, I've not been able to go to any of them. But I have at different times been in Sydney and then Adelaide so have arranged to meet the girls who live there. And I have also played hostess to Kathy when she was over from WA.
It's exciting. And the meets always involve food - and why not? What better way to celebrate a friendship than over a meal and a glass of wine?
On Saturday I met Judi and Sophia - no wine this time - but a delicious brunch in the heart of Adelaide. Good food, good company, lots of chatter, feeling very relaxed and comfortable with each other. And then we did what all women do when they're feeling good - we shopped, and we shopped well :-)
Things have been a little hectic here recently so this weekend was a lovely sojourn away - a time to relax, breathe and enjoy the company of family and friends.
It's times like this that I can honestly say - life is good.
Rob and I flew there last weekend for the second time in six months. The occasion? The wedding of Lauren - Rob's lovely daughter, and Adam - his now lovely son-in-law. Adelaide turned on a beautiful day - warm, sunny and inviting - and all the guests arrived with one thing in mind. We were there to celebrate the union of a wonderful couple, and to support them in starting out their life together.
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| Lauren getting some help from her sister Natalie - there were 29 buttons to be done up!! |
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| Adam (groom), Lee (Rob's son) and Lachlan (grandson) |
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| Pretty flower girls - Chloe and Amelia |
This weekend was special to me for another reason. A couple of years ago I joined an on-line forum and since then I have become friends with a group of very special women. We share so much. We support each other through the tough times and delight in our joyous times - weddings, birthdays, holidays - any and all celebrations.
I've had the pleasure and privilege, over the past few years, to meet up with some of these wonderful women. We live all over Australia - so once a year we try to organise a "meet". Unfortunately, I've not been able to go to any of them. But I have at different times been in Sydney and then Adelaide so have arranged to meet the girls who live there. And I have also played hostess to Kathy when she was over from WA.
It's exciting. And the meets always involve food - and why not? What better way to celebrate a friendship than over a meal and a glass of wine?
On Saturday I met Judi and Sophia - no wine this time - but a delicious brunch in the heart of Adelaide. Good food, good company, lots of chatter, feeling very relaxed and comfortable with each other. And then we did what all women do when they're feeling good - we shopped, and we shopped well :-)
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| Sophia, Judi and Silvana |
It's times like this that I can honestly say - life is good.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Feel the fear and do it anyway
On Tuesday night I caught up with my Toastmasters group. Still on a high from the success of the newly formed club on TI, I was eager to attend a meeting and catch up with my Toastie friends. The club is growing week by week and Tuesday night was no different - we enjoyed the company of 3 guests and we signed up a new member. Riverside rocks!
The club's president is the effervescant Lisa and she is aided and abetted by a very capable committee - Lea, Sheryl, Kelli and Scott. Everyone benefits from Toastmasters, that's a given, but when you see for yourself the growth and development of one individual - you're left in awe.
Kelli joined Riverside about 3 years ago, shy and terrified of public speaking. But this amazing woman never held back and very soon began taking an active part in the meetings, nominating for roles and volunteering for extra duties.
As a result, for the past few years she has successfully run the Youth Leadership Program at our local girls' high school. She is assisted by other Toastmasters who, over the weeks of the program, present Educationals/tutorials to the girls on the various aspects of public speaking.
On Tuesday night she stood in front of us - confident, articulate - to explain the duties of a club secretary. It's nomination time, and the club is getting ready to elect a new committee. Secretary one year, president the next Kelli? Well the position is still open ......
Kelli is an inspiration. She's conquered her fear by taking the bull by the horns and the other night she shone. And, as with anyone embarking on a self development journey, she was supported and encouraged by the other club members. At Riverside you are never alone.
When we move out of our comfort zone - well, life just gets better.
The club's president is the effervescant Lisa and she is aided and abetted by a very capable committee - Lea, Sheryl, Kelli and Scott. Everyone benefits from Toastmasters, that's a given, but when you see for yourself the growth and development of one individual - you're left in awe.
Kelli joined Riverside about 3 years ago, shy and terrified of public speaking. But this amazing woman never held back and very soon began taking an active part in the meetings, nominating for roles and volunteering for extra duties.
As a result, for the past few years she has successfully run the Youth Leadership Program at our local girls' high school. She is assisted by other Toastmasters who, over the weeks of the program, present Educationals/tutorials to the girls on the various aspects of public speaking.
On Tuesday night she stood in front of us - confident, articulate - to explain the duties of a club secretary. It's nomination time, and the club is getting ready to elect a new committee. Secretary one year, president the next Kelli? Well the position is still open ......
Kelli is an inspiration. She's conquered her fear by taking the bull by the horns and the other night she shone. And, as with anyone embarking on a self development journey, she was supported and encouraged by the other club members. At Riverside you are never alone.
When we move out of our comfort zone - well, life just gets better.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Musings on a Sunday afternoon
I love living on T.I. - you know that. And I love coming home - to see family, friends, to spend time in our lovely cottage and to make the most of those things that don't happen on the island:
Every few months we are able to leave the rock and reconnect with family and friends - and that's important for my mental and emotional health. Rob also prefers living with a refreshed and happy me.
I know that one day soon, we will be coming home for good. And that will be a happy day. But for now, I want to enjoy what I have, live in the moment, and be thankful for all the blessings that God has given me.
Life is good.
- Nikki calling in on a Sunday morning
- Mum picking me up for an outing
- Friday night dinner with my kids and their spouses
- lots of take-away choices on a Saturday night
- wearing my pink knitted scarf with jeans and boots
- finding my favourite dark chocolate mousse in the supermarket
- finding my favourite cheddar cheese rice crackers in the supermarket
- finding lots of things in the supermarket
- knowing that any coffee shop is open on a Sunday afternoon
- movies !!!!!
- hospitals and doctors that know what they are doing
Every few months we are able to leave the rock and reconnect with family and friends - and that's important for my mental and emotional health. Rob also prefers living with a refreshed and happy me.
I know that one day soon, we will be coming home for good. And that will be a happy day. But for now, I want to enjoy what I have, live in the moment, and be thankful for all the blessings that God has given me.
Life is good.
Friday, April 8, 2011
The men in my life
Rob and I arrived in Brisbane bright and early Thursday morning, safe and sound after a smooth two hour flight from Cairns. I'd flown in from TI the night before and met up with Rob at Rydges hotel where we shared a lovely meal and a couple of glasses of wine in the hotel dining room. It was nice to be together after four days apart and while Rob was still in pain, we both felt that once back home things would turn out for the better. And they have :-)
We saw the specialist on Thursday afternoon and she has told us that Rob does not require surgery for his injury. She is confident that after a course of cortisone injections and some very specific physiotherapy he will heal. Thank God. It was so great to finally have him seen by a professional who knew what they were talking about, knew what to do, was willing and able to take control and to make things happen.
Over the next three to four weeks things are going to get better.
I'm also here for another reason. My brother Phil has been diagnosed with lung cancer - it seems it's been there for a while. Yesterday I went to the hospital with Mum - I hadn't seen him since February when I left to go back to TI - and although he looks sick and is very thin, I thought he looked just like Phil.
Mum left us for a short time while she spoke to the palliative care co-ordinator which gave us a chance to catch up and talk about what's been happening. He still has his wicked, dry sense of humour and Mum came back into the ward to find me laughing at something he'd said and Phil shaking his head at his own joke.
He'll be in hospital at least until Monday while they fine tune his medication, and then they'll send him home to be cared for by Mum, me (while I'm here) and the palliative care team. This morning I went to see him by myself. When I got there he was up and about to take himself into the garden (the beer garden as he calls it) for some fresh air.
We sat outside for about an hour and a half and he talked the whole time. I feel sad because (i) my brother and I have never sat and talked for one and a half hours before and (ii) he is holding onto a bit of anger. At one point I told him to let it go, but then I decided that he needed this time to vent, that maybe if I just sat and listened he could get it out and feel better. So that's what I did. I sat, I listened, I didn't agree or disagree - I was just there. And it was good.
I'm amazed at how easy it was to be with him and to say the things that we did. We talked openly about things that should have been awkward but it wasn't. And, his dry sense of humour is still alive and well, so much so that I found myself making jokes at his expense, which he thoroughly enjoyed :-)
I want Phil to have peace of mind and if that means being with him for ten minutes or for hours as he talks, remembers, laughs, cries, hopes, dreams, sleeps - or we just sit and watch TV together, then so be it. I'm sad for me that I've waited so long to spend quality time with my brother.
Life is about opening your heart to love.
We saw the specialist on Thursday afternoon and she has told us that Rob does not require surgery for his injury. She is confident that after a course of cortisone injections and some very specific physiotherapy he will heal. Thank God. It was so great to finally have him seen by a professional who knew what they were talking about, knew what to do, was willing and able to take control and to make things happen.
Over the next three to four weeks things are going to get better.
I'm also here for another reason. My brother Phil has been diagnosed with lung cancer - it seems it's been there for a while. Yesterday I went to the hospital with Mum - I hadn't seen him since February when I left to go back to TI - and although he looks sick and is very thin, I thought he looked just like Phil.
Mum left us for a short time while she spoke to the palliative care co-ordinator which gave us a chance to catch up and talk about what's been happening. He still has his wicked, dry sense of humour and Mum came back into the ward to find me laughing at something he'd said and Phil shaking his head at his own joke.
He'll be in hospital at least until Monday while they fine tune his medication, and then they'll send him home to be cared for by Mum, me (while I'm here) and the palliative care team. This morning I went to see him by myself. When I got there he was up and about to take himself into the garden (the beer garden as he calls it) for some fresh air.
We sat outside for about an hour and a half and he talked the whole time. I feel sad because (i) my brother and I have never sat and talked for one and a half hours before and (ii) he is holding onto a bit of anger. At one point I told him to let it go, but then I decided that he needed this time to vent, that maybe if I just sat and listened he could get it out and feel better. So that's what I did. I sat, I listened, I didn't agree or disagree - I was just there. And it was good.
I'm amazed at how easy it was to be with him and to say the things that we did. We talked openly about things that should have been awkward but it wasn't. And, his dry sense of humour is still alive and well, so much so that I found myself making jokes at his expense, which he thoroughly enjoyed :-)
I want Phil to have peace of mind and if that means being with him for ten minutes or for hours as he talks, remembers, laughs, cries, hopes, dreams, sleeps - or we just sit and watch TV together, then so be it. I'm sad for me that I've waited so long to spend quality time with my brother.
Life is about opening your heart to love.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Toastmasters on TI
I love being a Toastmaster and last year when I arrived on the island one of the first things I wanted to do was to start up a Toastmasters club. I’m a member of the very dynamic and vibrant Riverside club in Brisbane and I wanted to share with my new friends on TI the thrill and excitement of belonging to a public speaking group. So I took a few tentative steps and put up a few notices around town with my name and number. If I got enough interest I was going to hold an information night and take it from there. I got a couple of calls.
But then I got scared. What if it took off? What if dozens of people turned up on the night? How would I handle it? Could I do it on my own? So I let it go.
You see my friends, I was in big city mode. I had forgotten that I was on an island and that while many people were probably quite interested, it would have been a miracle of biblical proportions if dozens of people had turned up.
So, last month, after nearly ten months on the island, I tried again. And I did it differently. I bit the bullet and actually set a date, time and place and waited for people to turn up. And they did – 7 very keen, enthusiastic and excited would-be Toastmasters showed up for an information evening held in an office provided by the bubbly Sylvia.
The result of that night was our first Toastmasters meeting last night, Tuesday 5th April. The group was small – the original 7 members and 3 guests. We had organised our roles from our previous get together so we all set to go. There was a bit of double up because of the small numbers but everyone handled it like professionals. As happens in most meetings one of the speakers could not make it so I stepped in and presented a speech I had given in a district competition before leaving Brisbane.
It felt great being back at a meeting. We all left on a high. It was exciting to be a part of a new group and I felt so good about showing them how it’s done and seeing their enthusiasm and delight.
While most TM meetings are held every two weeks, our next meeting is in May. A lot of people leave the island at holiday time so this is the next best time for us to be together. Remember this is TI and you have to go with the flow.
And I don’t mind because last night the flow was brilliant, keen, enthusiastic and fun. And that’s what gave me the buzz – that everyone was having fun, even with some very nervous moments.
My work is done - and life continues to be good :-)
But then I got scared. What if it took off? What if dozens of people turned up on the night? How would I handle it? Could I do it on my own? So I let it go.
You see my friends, I was in big city mode. I had forgotten that I was on an island and that while many people were probably quite interested, it would have been a miracle of biblical proportions if dozens of people had turned up.
So, last month, after nearly ten months on the island, I tried again. And I did it differently. I bit the bullet and actually set a date, time and place and waited for people to turn up. And they did – 7 very keen, enthusiastic and excited would-be Toastmasters showed up for an information evening held in an office provided by the bubbly Sylvia.
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| TI Toastmasters: Silvana, John, Suzanne, Louisa, Sylvia Front row: Janelle, Melissa, Flo |
The result of that night was our first Toastmasters meeting last night, Tuesday 5th April. The group was small – the original 7 members and 3 guests. We had organised our roles from our previous get together so we all set to go. There was a bit of double up because of the small numbers but everyone handled it like professionals. As happens in most meetings one of the speakers could not make it so I stepped in and presented a speech I had given in a district competition before leaving Brisbane.
It felt great being back at a meeting. We all left on a high. It was exciting to be a part of a new group and I felt so good about showing them how it’s done and seeing their enthusiasm and delight.
While most TM meetings are held every two weeks, our next meeting is in May. A lot of people leave the island at holiday time so this is the next best time for us to be together. Remember this is TI and you have to go with the flow.
And I don’t mind because last night the flow was brilliant, keen, enthusiastic and fun. And that’s what gave me the buzz – that everyone was having fun, even with some very nervous moments.
My work is done - and life continues to be good :-)
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Bize
While Rob’s 5-day stay in hospital about a week ago was painful to say the least, some good has come out of it. In the bed across from him was a very quiet islander man who would smile and nod to us as he came in and out of the room. And soon, as eventually happens in a hospital ward, he and Rob got together to compare injuries, scars and meds. So by the time I got back to the hospital that evening I too got to meet Bize (pronounced ‘busy’).
Bize comes from a small village in PNG and was admitted to hospital after being attacked by a wild pig. He sustained injuries on both arms and on one hand. But to get to hospital Bize had to first travel for 5 hours by dinghy to Boigu, an outer island of the Torres Strait, where he was given first aid in the medical centre. From Boigu he was air lifted to T.I. and when we met him he had been away from his family for 6 weeks.
What a beautiful, gentle, well spoken man – and extremely humble. Bize and his wife have 3 children, the eldest is at school and the family lives on $200 per fortnight. Both he and his wife – missus as he calls her – are pre-school teachers in their village. But any thoughts you may have of colourful rooms with posters and toys, and little tables and chairs can be discarded right now. In Bize’s world the children use slates to write, and pencils and paper are a luxury.
Rob being Rob - well, he had to do something. So one afternoon saw us in Ibis stocking up on pencils, plasticine, A4 notepads, spirax notebooks, scrap books and pens ….. and a backpack. That night we picked Bize up from the hospital and brought him to the unit for a drink (soft drink) and a cup of tea. And Rob, like a very happy Santa Claus, presented Bize with a little something to remember us by. We ended up spending about $100 (this is TI remember) on a few basic stationery items, but to Bize it meant the world.
Bize paid us a lovely compliment later that night when we took him back to his ward. He asked to be remembered to our kids. You see we had made him feel like family, he told us, and he wanted us to tell our families about him so that they would know him too. He certainly was going to do the same.
He was discharged the next day. That would have meant a long, arduous journey home as he waited at Boigu island for a message to be sent to his village, then more days to wait for a boat to come and collect him. So to facilitate all of that Rob gave him an amount of cash so that he could hire a boat once in Boigu and get home sooner.
Rob thinks of him often. I don’t know if we’ll ever see him again but whatever happens, we will never forget him.
Sometimes, life can be memorable.
Bize comes from a small village in PNG and was admitted to hospital after being attacked by a wild pig. He sustained injuries on both arms and on one hand. But to get to hospital Bize had to first travel for 5 hours by dinghy to Boigu, an outer island of the Torres Strait, where he was given first aid in the medical centre. From Boigu he was air lifted to T.I. and when we met him he had been away from his family for 6 weeks.
What a beautiful, gentle, well spoken man – and extremely humble. Bize and his wife have 3 children, the eldest is at school and the family lives on $200 per fortnight. Both he and his wife – missus as he calls her – are pre-school teachers in their village. But any thoughts you may have of colourful rooms with posters and toys, and little tables and chairs can be discarded right now. In Bize’s world the children use slates to write, and pencils and paper are a luxury.
Rob being Rob - well, he had to do something. So one afternoon saw us in Ibis stocking up on pencils, plasticine, A4 notepads, spirax notebooks, scrap books and pens ….. and a backpack. That night we picked Bize up from the hospital and brought him to the unit for a drink (soft drink) and a cup of tea. And Rob, like a very happy Santa Claus, presented Bize with a little something to remember us by. We ended up spending about $100 (this is TI remember) on a few basic stationery items, but to Bize it meant the world.
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| Rob and Bize |
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| Bize's stash |
He was discharged the next day. That would have meant a long, arduous journey home as he waited at Boigu island for a message to be sent to his village, then more days to wait for a boat to come and collect him. So to facilitate all of that Rob gave him an amount of cash so that he could hire a boat once in Boigu and get home sooner.
Rob thinks of him often. I don’t know if we’ll ever see him again but whatever happens, we will never forget him.
Sometimes, life can be memorable.
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