Summer, where the days are longest and the nights are shortest. As the sunshine, warmth and sea temp rises so does my disposition. I'm a summer human. The warm ocean, late sunsets and break from the daily ins and outs. Summer means Christmas, beach picnics, family reunions, friends visits and New Year. This year summer also meant baby showers, new bubbas, a wedding, international visitors and happiness! As the season begins to change and the rain patters on my roof I reflect on the wonderful season of life Summer 19 entailed. Here are my top 11 highlights:
O N E - Summer began with a celebration of a soon to be mumma of three. My soul sister slash best friend Martine and her little hedgehog were celebrated with sunshine, cake, kids, tea and loads of laughter. I am forever astounded by Marti's strength and poise and as her family grows so does her love and beauty. The love continued at Evie's sixth birthday as we celebrated in a fairy garden.
T W O - Sydney my second home. Over summer I have visited this city many times. Each time a different event, activity or friend calls me there. This trip was full of Vegan markets, exchange reunions, waterfalls, nephews, bridesmaid dress shopping and much much more. How lucky I am to be well and able to jump in the car to discover new places with those I love.
T H R E E - Those who know me well will know that there are few things in this world I love more than Christmas and my Special Nipper family. You can then imagine my absolute joy when we hosted a Special Nipper Christmas in the gorgeous sunshine at our beautiful beach. The absolute joy on the kids faces shown within their ear to ear smilies filled my heart. As surf Santa entered on the back of our ATV 'buggy', the squeals of delight, the over flow of lollies and the pure glee was palpable.
F O U R - Little Hedgehog arrives. We waited for what felt forever for Kobey Easton Alda to join us. I was finally able to visit, hug him and squish is adorable cheeks. He is a ridiculously cute bundle of squish and brings so much joy to us all. Congrats Marti, i'm so proud of you. Thanks for my nieces and nephews to love and dote on!
F I V E - Christmas is here! What an absolute joy! (I seem to be typing that world a lot) To have my 98 year old Nan and my 6 Month old nephew together enjoying a wonderful time of year, safe, healthy and happy was so memorable. How lucky I am to be surrounded by so much love. For a week we relaxed on the beach, ate delicious food, played family games, laughed together, watched iluka, played with iluka, doted on iluka, sang to iluka.... you get the jist.
S I X - New Year - We rang in 2019 together as a family with friends, drinks and laughter. I have many hopes for 2019 personally and globally. I hope for health and happiness for me and those around me. I hope for humans to be kind to one another, to the earth and to animals. We have but one life, one planet and one soul. Please be kind, help others and love in the face of hate... oh and blow raspberries in matching stripes, because... goals.
S E V E N - Our Danish family are here! Just as the Australian summer sun was at its hottest our Danish exchange student from 15 years ago, Katrine came to visit with her partner Claus and their adorable daughter Ida. My Danish was at the same level as Ida's English. None. So we communicated through hand gestures, blueberries and smiles. It was incredible to share nearly a month together catching up on life and reconnecting like no time had passed. The power of Rotary exchange was felt strong and hard. I still miss them everyday!
E I G H T - February began and what an immensely epic month it would be. First, my Katy Kentucky came down under! 11 years ago Katy and I were on Exchange together in Belgium. We lived 30 minutes from one another and spent many an hour on trains to Brussels, drinking Jupiler, dancing in Celtica and relaxing in Namur park together. 11 years later and here she was, in Sydney with me! We played tourist for two days straight, walking our little feet off and seeing as much of Sydney as we could cram in. Our other Exchange Katie, Katiekins, joined us for dinners and lunches. The three of us reminisced, laughed, made new memories and reflected how lucky we were for our experiences. How remarkable to still be such close friends across oceans and decades.
N I N E - K's Hens - As my first ever time as a Bridesmaid I was so excited to plan and execute a Hen's party! What a day we had. Wine tasting, Rooftop Dinner and drinks followed by Karaoke. It was the perfect day filled with Kirsty's girls to celebrate her as soon to be bride. One week to go...
T E N - There is little more I can say about the wedding of my brother Tobias and my Sister in-law Kirsty than, a weekend of absolute perfection. Walking down the aisle to witness my brother marry my sister in law was one of the greatest honours of my life. The ceremony, reception and following days of connection and celebration will be forever some of my fondest days. Walking down the aisle filled me with happiness. Witnessing them marry was breathtaking. Walking into the dome was electric. Delivering a poem speech alongside my sister-sister in-law Caro felt so special. Seeing both my grandmothers in their nineties listen in tears to my brother's speech was monumental. Holding my nephew while his parents nailed their first dance gave me goose bumps. Celebrating their love for an entire weekend with so many important people was life changing.
E L E V E N - Yanko Avenue. Following the wedding our now even larger Benjo-Young family ventured to Sydney to spend time all together. It was an incredible week filled with family dinners, beach walks, pool competitions, pool swims, brunches, Mardi Gras fun, watching iluka, the banana dance, doting on iluka, singing to iluka... you get the jist. It was a wonderful opportunity to see all my friends. We went to concerts and ate delicious vegan food. We went to the french film festival and laughed til our faces hurt. We lunched and snuggled with the newest little bundle Oscar. Sydney you always have my heart as you have some of my favourite humans on earth.
S U M M E R . 2 0 1 9 has been one of the most exciting and formative seasons I have ever experienced. It hasn't been without downs, as with all seasons of life there are difficult days and events. I whole heartedly believe that you are not what happens to you but how you react to them. There were years of my life where I dreamed of being able to do so many of the things i have experienced and accomplished this summer. I will forever carry gratitude and appreciation in my heart for my health and happiness. As the rain begins so cease and I look up from my computer I smile having reflected on so many incredible times that will live within my mind and soul always.
La vie really is belle
Peace and Love
The Little Earthling