I can't write about 'a friend' when you clearly had way too many friends for me to write about just one!
Some of your secondary school teachers once told me that your year level was so "together" that duty teachers had to ask you all to split up into smaller groups in order that your 'group' was not so intimidating. Apparently, there was often 30 or 40 of you 'hanging out' together! It was just the sheer size of the group that proved too daunting to a lone teacher on the beat!
This volume of friendship was particularly evident at your funeral. The church holds about 500 people and it was filled to capacity that day!! What a fitting tribute!
Two days after you died about 20 of your friends turned up on our doorstep. They came in silently, some shedding tears, all supporting us and each other. They sat on our lounge room floor for hours and cried and told stories of the things you got up to with all of them. They were still there when the funeral director came to organise your funeral and, without hesitation, your mates volunteered to carry your coffin, to deliver several of the eulogies and to provide the music.
They are good friends, Jake! They have been truly supportive of us and each other this past year. I know that they have been hurting without their mate! But, they have included us in their storytelling sessions (probably condensed versions) and have visited us occasionally. Some of them have invited us to their 21st birthdays...a lovely way for us to 'feel' a bit of you, as you would have been right there amongst them!!
They have continued to keep Amber in their lives and she is truly one of their 'friends'. Just the way you would have wanted! xxx
Saturday 30 June 2012
Friday 29 June 2012
"SOFT"
You had such a 'soft' heart. For all your bravado and 'coolness' you never, ever liked to see those close to you feeling hurt or upset.
When we got the news that my Nan had passed away, you and I were in the middle of a disagreement about various teenage 'things'. But, as soon as we got that phone call, you had your arms around me, you told your girlfriend she was going home and you told me you were coming with me, to be with my family.
On the day of Nan's funeral I was fine until the burial at the cemetery. Your brothers, Toby and Nick, had been buried in with my grandfather, and now my Nan was being buried in the same plot. I lost the plot!! You had the flu that day but it was you who comforted me and made sure I was alright.
You once showed your 'soft' side when you wrote a letter to your sister while she was going through some tough times. You told her that you loved her and hoped that she was ok.
I know of several friends who often used you as a sounding board. You were easy to talk to and had a great big, 'soft' heart.
When we got the news that my Nan had passed away, you and I were in the middle of a disagreement about various teenage 'things'. But, as soon as we got that phone call, you had your arms around me, you told your girlfriend she was going home and you told me you were coming with me, to be with my family.
On the day of Nan's funeral I was fine until the burial at the cemetery. Your brothers, Toby and Nick, had been buried in with my grandfather, and now my Nan was being buried in the same plot. I lost the plot!! You had the flu that day but it was you who comforted me and made sure I was alright.
You once showed your 'soft' side when you wrote a letter to your sister while she was going through some tough times. You told her that you loved her and hoped that she was ok.
I know of several friends who often used you as a sounding board. You were easy to talk to and had a great big, 'soft' heart.
Thursday 28 June 2012
"ON THE SHELF"
'On the shelf' in the spare room (I wish we didn't have a spare room!) are a few things that once belonged to you.
A photo in a frame shows you at the age of ten, standing very proudly beside Matthew Richardson from the Richmond AFL team. He was never your favourite player but he was a big name in the team so you were quite pleased to actually meet him.
Some of the beanie kids you used to collect as a little tacker are on the bedside table. You didn't want to appear prissy so you only collected a few lions and tigers and dogs.
On the shelf in the wardrobe are the shoes you were wearing on the day you died. They were the first thing I saw when I walked through the front door that day. You had kicked them off in your usual fashion beside the door. I couldn't bear to throw them out!
A photo in a frame shows you at the age of ten, standing very proudly beside Matthew Richardson from the Richmond AFL team. He was never your favourite player but he was a big name in the team so you were quite pleased to actually meet him.
Some of the beanie kids you used to collect as a little tacker are on the bedside table. You didn't want to appear prissy so you only collected a few lions and tigers and dogs.
On the shelf in the wardrobe are the shoes you were wearing on the day you died. They were the first thing I saw when I walked through the front door that day. You had kicked them off in your usual fashion beside the door. I couldn't bear to throw them out!
Wednesday 27 June 2012
"BATHROOM"
The bathroom went from being taboo in your 'boy' world to being arguably your favourite room.
You would spend ages in the bathroom making sure your hair was 'just right'. You would spend ages in the shower before dumping your towels on the floor along with your discarded underwear and your dirty socks.
You would shut yourself in the bathroom to trim those raggedy bits of hair that wouldn't go the way you wanted them. And then, much to Sian's disgust, you would leave the cut hair all over the basin and the floor.
However, a few years before you died, I decided that I had worked long and hard enough to warrant having a cleaner once a fortnight. Her main job was to thoroughly clean both bathrooms, in particular the showers which my arthritis found hard to cope with. After only a few months of this you questioned why I would pay a cleaner when I could be paying you to do the same thing. I scoffed at the idea and dared to suggest to you that the state you left the bathroom in was not a good job reference.
But, in your usual style, you managed to persuade me to give you a go.
And....you were fantastic!!!
I miss my bathroom cleaner! xxx
You would spend ages in the bathroom making sure your hair was 'just right'. You would spend ages in the shower before dumping your towels on the floor along with your discarded underwear and your dirty socks.
You would shut yourself in the bathroom to trim those raggedy bits of hair that wouldn't go the way you wanted them. And then, much to Sian's disgust, you would leave the cut hair all over the basin and the floor.
However, a few years before you died, I decided that I had worked long and hard enough to warrant having a cleaner once a fortnight. Her main job was to thoroughly clean both bathrooms, in particular the showers which my arthritis found hard to cope with. After only a few months of this you questioned why I would pay a cleaner when I could be paying you to do the same thing. I scoffed at the idea and dared to suggest to you that the state you left the bathroom in was not a good job reference.
But, in your usual style, you managed to persuade me to give you a go.
And....you were fantastic!!!
I miss my bathroom cleaner! xxx
Tuesday 26 June 2012
"WHERE YOU SHOP"
Well, nowhere if you can possibly help it!!!
Shopping just wasn't your thing!!
I remember, when you were about 8 or 9 years old, my Nan (your "Grandnan") asked if I would take her Christmas shopping at Fountain Gate. I can't for the life of me think why because she also hated shopping and she would have been about 88 years old at the time!! I also can't think why your Nan and I agreed to take, not just Grandnan, but you and Clare as well!! You wanted to do your Christmas shopping too! How silly were we?
We laugh about it now but, at the time, it was a nightmare!!!
Both Nan and I knew not to plan any shopping for ourselves as our hands would be full with the three of you. But, when we got there you, Grandnan and Clare decided to nick into the $2 shop. So, I nicked into Target and Nan had to go downstairs to pick up something from K-Mart.
The three of you were finished in 5 seconds flat! All of your shopping was completed in the $2 shop! And as far as you were all concerned it was then time to go home. I had finished in Target but Nan was not back yet so I bought the three of you an ice-cream and found a table for you to sit at!!
Grandnan then spent the rest of the time trying to persuade me to put an announcement over the PA system so that Nan could be paged. How embarrassing would that be??? Of course I didn't do it but I did vow that I would never take you, Clare or Nan to Fountain Gate again!!
Fancy going all that way for 5 minutes of shopping in a $2 shop!!
Last of the big spenders!!! xxx
Shopping just wasn't your thing!!
I remember, when you were about 8 or 9 years old, my Nan (your "Grandnan") asked if I would take her Christmas shopping at Fountain Gate. I can't for the life of me think why because she also hated shopping and she would have been about 88 years old at the time!! I also can't think why your Nan and I agreed to take, not just Grandnan, but you and Clare as well!! You wanted to do your Christmas shopping too! How silly were we?
We laugh about it now but, at the time, it was a nightmare!!!
Both Nan and I knew not to plan any shopping for ourselves as our hands would be full with the three of you. But, when we got there you, Grandnan and Clare decided to nick into the $2 shop. So, I nicked into Target and Nan had to go downstairs to pick up something from K-Mart.
The three of you were finished in 5 seconds flat! All of your shopping was completed in the $2 shop! And as far as you were all concerned it was then time to go home. I had finished in Target but Nan was not back yet so I bought the three of you an ice-cream and found a table for you to sit at!!
Grandnan then spent the rest of the time trying to persuade me to put an announcement over the PA system so that Nan could be paged. How embarrassing would that be??? Of course I didn't do it but I did vow that I would never take you, Clare or Nan to Fountain Gate again!!
Fancy going all that way for 5 minutes of shopping in a $2 shop!!
Last of the big spenders!!! xxx
Monday 25 June 2012
"SOMETHING CUTE"
Easy one!!! You were very cute from the minute you took your first breath until the minute you took your last!! Just ask all the girls!!
But, everyone knows how cute you were in your latter years so I decided to put up some reminders of how cute you were as a 'littley'!
You often made everyone laugh with your infectious giggles and cute smiles!
Your 'cuteness' changed from a pudgy, smiley, little baby to a tall, angular, but still very 'cute' and smiley teenager!
You were even cute when you were being toilet-trained. Here you had Mary and Sian dancing with joy because you had successfully used the potty.
How could a smile like this be anything BUT cute!!!
You had started kinder here and your popularity just grew and grew... you were just SO cute!!! Irresistible!!
But, everyone knows how cute you were in your latter years so I decided to put up some reminders of how cute you were as a 'littley'!
Sunday 24 June 2012
"ON YOUR MIND"
You probably always had a lot of things on your mind as you were highly intelligent and always talking about your dreams for the future.
You wanted to complete your apprenticeship at The Gazette and work there for a few years. After that you wanted to travel and were particularly taken with the idea of going to Belgium to try to locate the Chateau de Berlo which was named and occupied by your ancestors in ancient times. I hope that your sister or one of your many cousins gets to fulfil that dream for you one day.
Your travel dreams included the USA and, in particular, Disneyland and New York. Some of your friends are doing just that this year and next year...perhaps they can share a few photos of what might have been.
Your dreams for the future included running your own online business and investing in property and the share market.
You spoke of one day getting married and having a family. You even named Rhys and Jaydan as your groomsmen.
You had a lot of things on your mind... bands to see, music to play, campsites to visit, fish to catch, places to drive to. The list goes on....
But, we can only dream of what might have been!
You wanted to complete your apprenticeship at The Gazette and work there for a few years. After that you wanted to travel and were particularly taken with the idea of going to Belgium to try to locate the Chateau de Berlo which was named and occupied by your ancestors in ancient times. I hope that your sister or one of your many cousins gets to fulfil that dream for you one day.
Your travel dreams included the USA and, in particular, Disneyland and New York. Some of your friends are doing just that this year and next year...perhaps they can share a few photos of what might have been.
Your dreams for the future included running your own online business and investing in property and the share market.
You spoke of one day getting married and having a family. You even named Rhys and Jaydan as your groomsmen.
You had a lot of things on your mind... bands to see, music to play, campsites to visit, fish to catch, places to drive to. The list goes on....
But, we can only dream of what might have been!
Saturday 23 June 2012
"MOVEMENT"
You weren't the fastest basketballer on the team but boy, could you jump?!!! Your standing jump was amazing! You were always an asset on the basketball team because you were so tall, you were so accurate and you could jump to even greater heights beneath the ring. Therefore, you were often one of the top scorers. With Joe's speed and your accuracy, the game was always good to watch.
At Primary school you would always score really well in the 'beep' tests but, in particular, the standing jump.
You loved sport and anything to do with throwing. You were quite good at throwing things at windows, skimming stones on Dad's fishing trips, doing detention for your accuracy with bits of tan-bark and hitting the bulls-eye on a dart board.
You could move on all fours with lightning speed when playing on the floor with Snoop.
But, if I asked you to do anything with a hint of housework in it, your 'movements' were quite slow. Your usual verbal response was, "Bit busy at the moment!" when it was quite obvious that the 'busy-ness' consisted of playing computer games or watching TV!
At Primary school you would always score really well in the 'beep' tests but, in particular, the standing jump.
You loved sport and anything to do with throwing. You were quite good at throwing things at windows, skimming stones on Dad's fishing trips, doing detention for your accuracy with bits of tan-bark and hitting the bulls-eye on a dart board.
You could move on all fours with lightning speed when playing on the floor with Snoop.
But, if I asked you to do anything with a hint of housework in it, your 'movements' were quite slow. Your usual verbal response was, "Bit busy at the moment!" when it was quite obvious that the 'busy-ness' consisted of playing computer games or watching TV!
Friday 22 June 2012
"FROM A HIGH ANGLE"
Everything would have looked like it was "from a high angle"to you because you stood so much taller than most of us!
However, again, this post lends itself to photos rather than words. So here are some more memories:
This one shows you 'from a high angle' and wearing your christening gown. You were about 2 months old on the day of your baptism. Your godparents are Helene and 'Funny' Mick. This is a good example of the red tuft of hair which stood straight up in the air. It eventually turned white and then a sandy colour as you grew older...but it always stood straight up in the air
You look a bit shell-shocked as your big sister tries to 'feed' you with her dolly bottle 'from a high angle'.
You both loved baths at that age! You later went through that typical 'boy thing' of not wanting a bath or a shower. However, once we got you there you would have stayed under the water for hours if we let you!!
This one is such a cute photo taken 'from a high angle' and showing you and little Charlie both having a kip on the lounge room floor.
I'm not even going to hazard a guess about this one...I just know it's been taken 'from a high angle'!
However, again, this post lends itself to photos rather than words. So here are some more memories:
Thursday 21 June 2012
"WHERE YOU SLEPT"
You were the easiest child to take on outings as toddler! We used to go to friends' houses for dinner. There would be kids everywhere and you would run around with them for hours at a time. But, when you were tired, you would need sleep straight away...and if you didn't climb up on my knee to go to sleep you would just lie on the floor at my feet and be asleep in seconds!
It always amazed me that you would sleep anywhere because you were really a terrible sleeper. The thing was that when you were tired you would sleep instantly and you would sleep so soundly that nothing would wake you! But, your sleep was often short-lived! You didn't need much sleep...maybe because you slept so soundly in short bursts!
In the car you would be lulled to sleep very quickly. I remember screaming at Dad to stop the car when you were about 8 or 9 months old because I had turned around to check you and you had your eyes partly open but I could not rouse you. After that I often noticed that your eyes would be open just a slit. I think it contributed to poor eyesight as your eyes must have been quite dry.
So...to sum it up!! You would sleep anywhere!!!
It always amazed me that you would sleep anywhere because you were really a terrible sleeper. The thing was that when you were tired you would sleep instantly and you would sleep so soundly that nothing would wake you! But, your sleep was often short-lived! You didn't need much sleep...maybe because you slept so soundly in short bursts!
In the car you would be lulled to sleep very quickly. I remember screaming at Dad to stop the car when you were about 8 or 9 months old because I had turned around to check you and you had your eyes partly open but I could not rouse you. After that I often noticed that your eyes would be open just a slit. I think it contributed to poor eyesight as your eyes must have been quite dry.
So...to sum it up!! You would sleep anywhere!!!
Wednesday 20 June 2012
"FAVE PHOTO YOU'VE EVER TAKEN"
I don't have many photos taken by you...just hundreds that have been taken OF you!!
However, I managed to resurrect these two photos which were probably not your favourite but they still tell a tale of the Jake we know and love.
This one is a screen shot taken as you and Amber chatted online to an unknown guy who proceeded to pile shoes on his head!! You were highly amused by his absurdity...which displays a little of your sense of humour.
The next picture is not a photo taken by you but tells a story of the sort of things you were able to do with photos. Above the bridge, and slightly to the right, is a photo of you smiling down at us all!! You have to look closely and sometimes you need to change the angle of the screen but, like a hologram, it is definitely there!! Very clever! I love it!!
However, I managed to resurrect these two photos which were probably not your favourite but they still tell a tale of the Jake we know and love.
This one is a screen shot taken as you and Amber chatted online to an unknown guy who proceeded to pile shoes on his head!! You were highly amused by his absurdity...which displays a little of your sense of humour.
Tuesday 19 June 2012
"IMPERFECT"
I'm not sure that I can say anything about you was imperfect when you spent your whole life being a perfectionist! You hated making mistakes, everything had to look just right and you didn't suffer fools!
But, if you thought there was a chance that you might not live up to your own expectations, then you would sometimes become a little bit 'imperfect' on purpose! In my world it's called 'dumbing down' and its quite common amongst gifted and talented students who don't like to fail. This describes you to a tee!
But, let me list my favourite 'imperfections' about my 'perfect' son:
You had an 'imperfect' little mole just to one side of your nose.
You had an 'imperfect' little finger which was rendered permanently crooked when you broke it AND dislocated it in a football match at school.
You had an 'imperfect' knee which would pop out just when you needed it not to!
You had 'imperfect' eyesight and needed contact lenses to perfect your vision.
You had 'imperfect' habits such as leaving towels on the floor, having a messy room and laziness.
But, to me, you were perfect!!! xxx
But, if you thought there was a chance that you might not live up to your own expectations, then you would sometimes become a little bit 'imperfect' on purpose! In my world it's called 'dumbing down' and its quite common amongst gifted and talented students who don't like to fail. This describes you to a tee!
But, let me list my favourite 'imperfections' about my 'perfect' son:
You had an 'imperfect' little mole just to one side of your nose.
You had an 'imperfect' little finger which was rendered permanently crooked when you broke it AND dislocated it in a football match at school.
You had an 'imperfect' knee which would pop out just when you needed it not to!
You had 'imperfect' eyesight and needed contact lenses to perfect your vision.
You had 'imperfect' habits such as leaving towels on the floor, having a messy room and laziness.
But, to me, you were perfect!!! xxx
Monday 18 June 2012
"SOMETHING WE DON"T KNOW ABOUT YOU"
We don't know how you are feeling today. Are you feeling happy and at peace? Are you feeling some regret that your desperation drove you away from us? We don't know if you are missing us as much as we are missing you.
We didn't know all the things you got up to at school...probably just as well!! But, in hindsight, who cares? You never sought to hurt anybody and, as far as we know, you didn't.
We didn't know the full extent of your depression or of your addiction. We knew of both those afflictions as you discussed them with us quite tearfully...but we really didn't think that they were bad enough to take you away. I wish we did!
We didn't know all the things you got up to at school...probably just as well!! But, in hindsight, who cares? You never sought to hurt anybody and, as far as we know, you didn't.
We didn't know the full extent of your depression or of your addiction. We knew of both those afflictions as you discussed them with us quite tearfully...but we really didn't think that they were bad enough to take you away. I wish we did!
Sunday 17 June 2012
"IN YOUR BAG"
Many, many parents will relate to this entry as I tell tales of the green sandwiches and sloppy bananas which seemed to breed in the bottom of your school bag. And, what's more, (I hate to tell those parents of today's schoolchildren) it didn't really stop until you left school.
Your school bag had to be thrown away after you finished school as I couldn't seem to get rid of the 'mouldy' smell.
We rarely knew about things happening in your secondary school life as those furry, once-edible creatures that lived in your school bag would devour any notices you were given. They were truly irresponsible little monsters!
When you packed for your stays at 383 you would shove things 'in your bag' in order of priority. The list went as follows:
Your school bag had to be thrown away after you finished school as I couldn't seem to get rid of the 'mouldy' smell.
We rarely knew about things happening in your secondary school life as those furry, once-edible creatures that lived in your school bag would devour any notices you were given. They were truly irresponsible little monsters!
When you packed for your stays at 383 you would shove things 'in your bag' in order of priority. The list went as follows:
- Phone charger
- Cookie dough
- Doritos
- Frozen pizzas
- Other food items
- Jocks
- Socks
- A change of clothes
- Doona
Saturday 16 June 2012
"OUT AND ABOUT"
I thought a few photos might tell more of a story than I could write here. You were very popular right throughout your life and therefore, you had a busy social life. I think your easy-going nature and your warm smile endeared you to many people. These photos show you with your mates at local venues or at friends' homes.
This photo was taken just before Christmas 2010 when you and Amber spent a couple of days in the city celebrating your anniversary.
These next few pictures show you at the pub and hanging out with your mates.
With Jaydan, Fozzie and Nathan
With Andy, Jaydan and Alysha
'Great' mates Walshy and Kingo.
Just hanging out at a mate's place.
This last photo shows you and Sian at your cousin Mark's wedding just a few weeks before you died.
Gosh, I have beautiful children!!!xxx
This photo was taken just before Christmas 2010 when you and Amber spent a couple of days in the city celebrating your anniversary.
These next few pictures show you at the pub and hanging out with your mates.
This last photo shows you and Sian at your cousin Mark's wedding just a few weeks before you died.
Friday 15 June 2012
"YELLOW"
For almost 20 years you waited to sing the famous "Yellow and Black" chorus at a grand final. It didn't happen and I think it will be a few years before it does!
We loved going to the games together to watch Carlton playing Richmond. Sian and Dad would wear their blues gear and you and I would wave our yellow and black flags and proudly wear our yellow and black scarves.
Sadly, our team seemed destined to be 'ninth' every year. Once, after a game, we walked out of the MCG after yet another loss with you singing "Oh we're from Fairyland" instead of the usual lyrics. You had the crowds giggling and joining in.
Each year you would threaten to barrack for a different team but you never did! We would text each other every time Richmond won and the only words we ever had to write were "Yellow and Black!" I think I was always more pleased to get your text message than I was to see Richmond win! I loved that you were so pleased!
I love the atmosphere at those games but I'm not sure that it will ever be the same without my 'yellow and black' buddy! xxx
We loved going to the games together to watch Carlton playing Richmond. Sian and Dad would wear their blues gear and you and I would wave our yellow and black flags and proudly wear our yellow and black scarves.
Sadly, our team seemed destined to be 'ninth' every year. Once, after a game, we walked out of the MCG after yet another loss with you singing "Oh we're from Fairyland" instead of the usual lyrics. You had the crowds giggling and joining in.
Each year you would threaten to barrack for a different team but you never did! We would text each other every time Richmond won and the only words we ever had to write were "Yellow and Black!" I think I was always more pleased to get your text message than I was to see Richmond win! I loved that you were so pleased!
I love the atmosphere at those games but I'm not sure that it will ever be the same without my 'yellow and black' buddy! xxx
Thursday 14 June 2012
"TIME"
"If I could save time in a bottle..."
You never liked wearing a watch until Amber bought you one for Christmas a few months before you died.
Time was never high on your list of priorities. You would leave for work at 8.29am for an 8.30 start!
Your lunch hour was usually a full hour...at home! You would leave to go back to work only after you had had exactly an hour at home! Your bosses didn't seem to mind..they were very easy-going!
Time now is very relevant to what matters most. It seems like forever since I have heard your voice and seen your smile and been held in one of your 'tall hugs'. But it seems like only yesterday since that dreadful day when our world was turned upside-down by your desperate departure.
You never liked wearing a watch until Amber bought you one for Christmas a few months before you died.
Time was never high on your list of priorities. You would leave for work at 8.29am for an 8.30 start!
Your lunch hour was usually a full hour...at home! You would leave to go back to work only after you had had exactly an hour at home! Your bosses didn't seem to mind..they were very easy-going!
Time now is very relevant to what matters most. It seems like forever since I have heard your voice and seen your smile and been held in one of your 'tall hugs'. But it seems like only yesterday since that dreadful day when our world was turned upside-down by your desperate departure.
Wednesday 13 June 2012
"ART"
To get the full picture of this blog you have to first get a picture of where we lived. When we first moved into our house at Maple Way there were beautiful views of the Strzelecki Ranges but nowhere to enjoy the view. So, we put a very large deck on the east end of the house. Then we put a double glass door leading out on to this deck. There were no windows on this east wall, only the double glass door, as the deck was built on to the end of the garage. This deck overlooked the backyard as well as a kindergarten and a primary school. And, because it faced east, it was quite sheltered from the rain.
You and your mates loved socialising both in the garage and on the deck. And, here's where the 'art' comes into the picture.
One night you and your many 'friends' decided that the brick wall on the deck needed some 'art' work! So, you used coloured chalk to draw a giant penis surrounded by smaller ones of the same variety and many different profanities!! All over the brick wall!!
Great!!! How come you objected so vehemently when we produced a bucket of soapy water and some scrubbing brushes and asked you and your mates to clean it off?!! You thought WE were so rude asking your friends to wash a wall when they were your guests!!
Hello!!!
On a lighter note...our dining room table still bears the impression of some of your more decorous 'art' work from when you were doing a rare moment of homework! A precious memory! xxx
You and your mates loved socialising both in the garage and on the deck. And, here's where the 'art' comes into the picture.
One night you and your many 'friends' decided that the brick wall on the deck needed some 'art' work! So, you used coloured chalk to draw a giant penis surrounded by smaller ones of the same variety and many different profanities!! All over the brick wall!!
Great!!! How come you objected so vehemently when we produced a bucket of soapy water and some scrubbing brushes and asked you and your mates to clean it off?!! You thought WE were so rude asking your friends to wash a wall when they were your guests!!
Hello!!!
On a lighter note...our dining room table still bears the impression of some of your more decorous 'art' work from when you were doing a rare moment of homework! A precious memory! xxx
Tuesday 12 June 2012
"FROM A LOW ANGLE"
The first pic was taken from 'a low angle' beneath the tree as you monkeyed around with your cousins, Simon and Peter.
Showing one of your many silly faces and taken 'from a low angle' in Amber's pool.
I hope you don't mind me using this one, Amber! It's a great shot of the two of you 'from a low angle'.
Monday 11 June 2012
"DOOR"
You were almost as tall as the door frame...or it always seemed that way!
You once put a hole in your wardrobe door. It was just before we sold that house so we had to turn the door inside out before people came through with the agents!
Even today, this all seems so surreal! It's as though at any any minute you will stroll casually through the front door into the kitchen and give us one of your disarming grins.
But I know that's not going to happen! Not all dreams can come true!
You once put a hole in your wardrobe door. It was just before we sold that house so we had to turn the door inside out before people came through with the agents!
Even today, this all seems so surreal! It's as though at any any minute you will stroll casually through the front door into the kitchen and give us one of your disarming grins.
But I know that's not going to happen! Not all dreams can come true!
Sunday 10 June 2012
"BEST BIT OF YOUR WEEKEND"
Mmmm...let me see! Was it stepping through the front door at 5:15pm on Friday evening, kicking off your shoes and leaning back in your chair while you played on your computer?
Was it leaving the house just before 6pm on Friday evening, only to return 20 minutes later with Jimi in tow so that we could give him a good feed?
Was it having 3 or 4 mates over (more like 16 or 17) to play pool or poker or watch the footy in the shed?
Was it heading down to the town at about midnight to see what the social scene was like in the pubs?
Was it going to see Amber, or to a party, or both?
Was it the get-togethers at any one of your mates houses?
Was it the sleep-ins after the late night?
Or, was it the Sunday evening roast?
I think it was all 'the best bit of your weekend'!
Was it leaving the house just before 6pm on Friday evening, only to return 20 minutes later with Jimi in tow so that we could give him a good feed?
Was it having 3 or 4 mates over (more like 16 or 17) to play pool or poker or watch the footy in the shed?
Was it heading down to the town at about midnight to see what the social scene was like in the pubs?
Was it going to see Amber, or to a party, or both?
Was it the get-togethers at any one of your mates houses?
Was it the sleep-ins after the late night?
Or, was it the Sunday evening roast?
I think it was all 'the best bit of your weekend'!
Saturday 9 June 2012
"YOUR VIEW TODAY"
You rest on a hillside with your twin brothers and two of your maternal great-grandparents. Your paternal grandparents are nearby.
From there, your view is the green hills which form part of the foothills of Mt. Baw Baw. Just down the valley is the far end of the Tarago Reservoir and, at the bottom of the hill you rest on, is the fishing spot you frequented with your Dad on Elton Rd.
It's a beautiful, peaceful place. It's a place you used to call "Heaven" when, as a small child, we visited the very gravesite where you now lie, to place flowers for your brothers. You and Sian would run around, jumping over the graves and racing up and down the hill. We didn't ever feel this was inappropriate as this was the playground of your brothers. It was just a different place to play.
Before we went there you would ask, "Where are Toby and Nick?" We would explain that they lived in Heaven, so it was natural for a little boy like you to put two-and-two together and decide that the cemetery must be Heaven!
Now your view is Heaven!
From there, your view is the green hills which form part of the foothills of Mt. Baw Baw. Just down the valley is the far end of the Tarago Reservoir and, at the bottom of the hill you rest on, is the fishing spot you frequented with your Dad on Elton Rd.
It's a beautiful, peaceful place. It's a place you used to call "Heaven" when, as a small child, we visited the very gravesite where you now lie, to place flowers for your brothers. You and Sian would run around, jumping over the graves and racing up and down the hill. We didn't ever feel this was inappropriate as this was the playground of your brothers. It was just a different place to play.
Before we went there you would ask, "Where are Toby and Nick?" We would explain that they lived in Heaven, so it was natural for a little boy like you to put two-and-two together and decide that the cemetery must be Heaven!
Now your view is Heaven!
Friday 8 June 2012
"6 O'CLOCK"
You were usually in bed by 6 o'clock!! ...and I mean a.m. NOT p.m!
On Saturday mornings it was quite usual for you to arrive home somewhere between 4 o'clock and 6 o'clock. You would then sleep until about 1pm.
It was funny really because that was about the time you would have been waking up as a precocious 2 year old!! What a turnaround!!
That wasn't the case on weeknights of course! You would usually play on the computer until about 11 o'clock, unless you were playing basketball or visiting Amber.
On Saturday mornings it was quite usual for you to arrive home somewhere between 4 o'clock and 6 o'clock. You would then sleep until about 1pm.
It was funny really because that was about the time you would have been waking up as a precocious 2 year old!! What a turnaround!!
That wasn't the case on weeknights of course! You would usually play on the computer until about 11 o'clock, unless you were playing basketball or visiting Amber.
Thursday 7 June 2012
"DRINK"
You liked a drink!!
From the moment you were born you liked a drink! You would have fed 24/7 if I let you as a baby! Then when we put you on to a bottle it was the same.
Of course, in later years, you liked a few drinks with your mates too! But I think you were actually a worse drinker at around 17 or 18 rather than in your last 12 or 18 months of life.
You were quite often the driver in the later months. You would offer to drive everyone to whatever venue was choice for the night. Then, much later in the night, when everyone was back at someone's house, you would start your drinking.
You liked a beer. You sometimes stole wine from Dad's collection in the shed. You once drank the vodka I had on the wine rack and replaced it with water.
You needed plenty of water when you played basketball and drinks to replace electrolytes once you had finished as you were prone to cramps and these drinks seemed to help dissuade them.
From the moment you were born you liked a drink! You would have fed 24/7 if I let you as a baby! Then when we put you on to a bottle it was the same.
Of course, in later years, you liked a few drinks with your mates too! But I think you were actually a worse drinker at around 17 or 18 rather than in your last 12 or 18 months of life.
You were quite often the driver in the later months. You would offer to drive everyone to whatever venue was choice for the night. Then, much later in the night, when everyone was back at someone's house, you would start your drinking.
You liked a beer. You sometimes stole wine from Dad's collection in the shed. You once drank the vodka I had on the wine rack and replaced it with water.
You needed plenty of water when you played basketball and drinks to replace electrolytes once you had finished as you were prone to cramps and these drinks seemed to help dissuade them.
Wednesday 6 June 2012
"HAT"
You would NEVER wear a hat...it would have messed up your hair!!! It always made me laugh when you said that!!!I didn't think it could get any messier!!
I remember when you went and did a day's work for Steve, our neighbour. You were digging a trench in 35 degree heat but you steadfastly refused to wear a hat!!
I bought you a school hat once you went to Marist Sion but it still looked brand new when you left!
At primary school it was compulsory to wear a hat for terms 1 and 4. You were a student leader and therefore had to set an example so you did wear a hat sometimes. But, every time I saw you, the hat was protecting your hand from the sun, not your head!
What a ....head!!! xxx
I remember when you went and did a day's work for Steve, our neighbour. You were digging a trench in 35 degree heat but you steadfastly refused to wear a hat!!
I bought you a school hat once you went to Marist Sion but it still looked brand new when you left!
At primary school it was compulsory to wear a hat for terms 1 and 4. You were a student leader and therefore had to set an example so you did wear a hat sometimes. But, every time I saw you, the hat was protecting your hand from the sun, not your head!
What a ....head!!! xxx
Tuesday 5 June 2012
"SIGN"
I decided to use 'signs' as my prompts for this topic.
I'm so glad i was never very house-proud! I allowed you to make lots of memories for me to keep in my heart and to use in this blog!
Yep!! You definitely had that ability!
This one would have meant "Game On" to you and Walshy!! It would just have been a challenge to see what you could actually do that wasn't included on the list!!
And...this one just says it all!!
Monday 4 June 2012
"CLOSE UP"
I thought I would include some 'close-up' photos here as the title lends itself perfectly to this one!
But a quick word about you in 'close-up':
But a quick word about you in 'close-up':
- You very rarely had pimples so your skin would always look ok in close-up!
- Your face was always smiling so close-ups are a must!
- Your teeth may have had a lot of money spent on them but you couldn't tell that it was ever needed...they always looked quite good in close-up...especially if you had bothered to clean them!
Sunday 3 June 2012
"ON YOUR PLATE"
I think you had more 'on your plate' than you let on. We knew about your gambling problem and how it fuelled your depression. But, although you were open and communicative about it all with us, I don't think we were fully aware of the extent of the problem.
Your problem was really only huge in your mind but it obviously got to the point where it was 'too' big!! With a combination of depression, a gambling addiction and no resilience as far as 'failure' was concerned, you "had a lot on your plate!"
Your problem was really only huge in your mind but it obviously got to the point where it was 'too' big!! With a combination of depression, a gambling addiction and no resilience as far as 'failure' was concerned, you "had a lot on your plate!"
Saturday 2 June 2012
"EMPTY"
We have an empty room in our house now. It is only filled when friends or family come to stay.
We have an empty place at the table where once we had four-way conversations about our days.
We have an empty seat in the car which even now is unspokenly called "Jake's seat".
I often feel an emptiness when small reminders of you pay fleeting visits, usually at inopportune moments.
My heart has a 'hole' in it which was once filled with your presence and the worries and care that come with being a mum of a beautiful, teenage son. But it is not an empty hole....it is a space filled with love which will never die and memories which will remain within until we meet again. xxx
We have an empty place at the table where once we had four-way conversations about our days.
We have an empty seat in the car which even now is unspokenly called "Jake's seat".
I often feel an emptiness when small reminders of you pay fleeting visits, usually at inopportune moments.
My heart has a 'hole' in it which was once filled with your presence and the worries and care that come with being a mum of a beautiful, teenage son. But it is not an empty hole....it is a space filled with love which will never die and memories which will remain within until we meet again. xxx
Friday 1 June 2012
"MORNING"
We taught you to tell the time when you were three! We had to...or we would have gone around the twist 'cause we were SO sick of being up half the night 'playing' with you and then 'waking up' with you at 5:00am! So, we taught you how to read 6:30 on the clock and you were not allowed to come out of your room until then! It worked! You just played in your room until that time!
But, in your later years, you would still 'play' for half the night but we didn't have to wake up with you...only as you snuck back home in those wee small hours thinking that we wouldn't hear you! Saturday morning quite often consisted of 'playing' until about 4 or 5 o'clock and the bed for the rest of the morning!
You teenagers live in a topsy-turvy world!
Wish you still did! xxx
But, in your later years, you would still 'play' for half the night but we didn't have to wake up with you...only as you snuck back home in those wee small hours thinking that we wouldn't hear you! Saturday morning quite often consisted of 'playing' until about 4 or 5 o'clock and the bed for the rest of the morning!
You teenagers live in a topsy-turvy world!
Wish you still did! xxx
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