Christina had to have a knee operation and wanted to celebrate my birthday ahead of time with me beforehand, so we went to the Ritz Carlton on 28th Feb and were staying overnight. She had all sorts of wonderful surprises for me and really spoilt me, but unfortunately whilst I was crossing the road in Northbridge that evening I stumbled and broke my left foot – so our partying came to an abrupt end and I had to seek medical attention the next day and subsequently will be in a Moon Boot for 6 weeks.
I started my actual birthday on Sunday 19th March 2023 by opening my gift from my husband Vince, a family tree ring he designed and had made for me that showed my family of origin 3 round diamonds at the top right for Mum, Dad and Jacky, centre emerald cut diamonds representing myself in the middle, Christina on the left and Kyle on the right and round diamonds for my 4 grandchildren 3 for Amy, Connor and Piper and 1 for Cash – very special!
Next was visiting Pinnaroo with my Sister, Jacky, who had come down with my Mum and Dad from Darwin to celebrate my “Diamond Jubilee” turning 60!. Jacky was driving as I had a broken foot. We put some flowers at Kyle’s memorial rock and I also cleaned and polished his plaque as it was looking a bit weathered. We had a little sip of Moet (which Kyle and I would drink together on special occasions) as a token of wishing he was here to be with me today, and that he would have brought Cash as well – so all my family would be together. But of course that is only dreaming and wishing – the reality is very different.
We then met my daughter, Christina and her family, with my Mum and Dad and Jacky at “Swell” at Mullaloo where the children were doing the surf life saving classes. We enjoyed a nice brunch together before I headed off with Jacky to pick up my birthday cake and go home to decorate it for the evening.
We were celebrating at the “Duke” – our local pub and the last place I got to see and hold my grandson Cash. There was about 25 of us in total including my family, step family and friends from my “dog showing”. It was so lovely to have the people I care about there with me and I got totally spoilt all night.
Although Kyle and Cash were not there, I could feel Kyle around me and we saw a dragonfly several times throughout the day, and I got a feather in my garage as I was packing the car to go to Pinnaroo – so I like to think he was there with us. I also lit a special candle on the table at the Duke to represent Kyle and Cash – my loved ones who couldn’t be with us!