I’ve just got back from one of the best and worst weekends of my life – and if that sounds schizo well what else do you expect from a not so sane mother like me?
My fav (and eldest) nephew got married in Port Macquarie with a beautiful but extremely hot outdoor ceremony and wonderful reception. We were booked into a fab resort that made us feel like VIPs (without the bank balance arrghh) and got to spend time with my far flung family who I only see once a year.
The downside that was getting to me all weekend was that this family weekend was minus one very important member, Ben, who couldn’t be with us as he was playing in his very first grand final (woohoo Under 14’s Bears!!!!). Anyone who knows me knows what a blow this was – we have never stayed as a family somewhere so flash and I really wanted Ben to be a part of that experience. I know he was upset too, but mainly because he wouldn’t be able to see his grandparents who have not been well this year, and time grows short for them.
We knew as soon as the Bears got into the semi-final that they would be at Oakes oval that weekend, playing their hearts out as they had done all season and for many years – I cried in the last ten minutes of that semi as I knew I wouldn’t get to see him run onto the field and wear sombreros and green & gold zinc with the rest of the mad Dunoon supporters that day.
And I cried because I didn’t want to think that the decision for him to stay and play instead of being at the wedding might mean him never getting to see one or either of my parents (Pop and Nan) again.
Some would say “there’ll be other grand finals in his life” but there are no guarantees, and this is the first year the Bears have got what they deserved, recognition for big hearts and a do or die attitude no matter how skilled a team they are up against. The magic of Dunoon soccer teams which I hope never changes is that it has NEVER been about putting the best players together and grading them like other clubs, it has been about who wants to play, no matter their skill level and giving them that chance.
All weekend while Paul, Sarah, Ethan & I were away, I couldn’t stop thinking about my missing son, his cheek, his grit and determination on the field against much bigger players and how wonderful it would have been to sit in the bleachers at Oakes oval and cheer not only his team on, no matter the outcome, but all the other brilliant die-hard Dunoon teams that played that day and the next.
I think there were five teams playing – correct me, I wasn’t there! Out of whom the Mens and Under 14’s Girls team won, and Under14s Bears drew to become equal premiers (with highest point score).
Thanks so much to Corinna and Dave Piggott for making it possible for Ben to stay with them and play for his team while we were away, and their support throughout the soccer season  getting both Ben & Sarah to practises and some games. You are both shining examples of what makes this community so wonderful.
Speaking of team spirit and fabulous support I have got to make mention of well-earned success of the Modanville Tournament of the Minds teams of who both made it through to State level – with the Social Science team winning and now going on to the Australasian championships (I hope I am saying that right!) competing in Melbourne in October against not only other Australian state winners but teams from Singapore, Hong Kong and New Zealand!
Tournament of the Minds teams have to work closely together to blend their individual talents to bring out the best in one another under gruelling mental conditions – showing creativity, spontaneity, quick thinking, resourcefulness and team work amongst many other things. They have a little guidance from a coach/teacher to keep them on track during practices but that is the only input from adults.
Good luck kids – we are so very proud of you all, showing the world what a small public school can produce in skill and heart up against much bigger schools and private ones too.
Enough – I am getting all weepy as I usually do when thinking of the kids of our communities and how much they put into all they do, and the support they give one another – support learnt from example watching their parents help each other out and being there for their kids and one another.
Today is a rare day off for me, so I can go party at the Lismore races with friends who definitely deserve to let their hair down, always being there for others, the schools and families. It’s freezing outside and we will probably have to wear gumboots but who cares? It’s a chance to get dressed up and feel good – makes me feel like I am one of the wealthy set for one day!
That is something that always makes me feel strange – I have no desire to be one of the rich list, where appearances always matter and a zillion dollar house and a yacht come with the territory – I am too much of a country bumpkin for that, but it is fun to stay at flash places once in a blue moon and feel like a bit of a princess. And I still consider taking a plane trip a privilege and exciting, I don’t think it could ever be commonplace to me. When I have done things like that (hotel or plane) I feel like someone is going to come in and say “what do YOU think you are doing here – are you a celebrity or something?” – my upbringing was caravans and stays with relatives and very long car trips!
I have never been overseas and I find myself very jealous of every customer who buys Lonely Planet travel guides from my work – especially if they don’t look even slightly excited about the opportunity to go. My eldest sister is a world traveller who appreciates seeing the world and she rang me on my mobile (I was in Woolies) and asked me if I could take a week off in November to go to New Zealand with her (accommodation, flights and car hire paid by her) – I am still in shock!
Of course I am going but not really believing it is happening to ME. There is a lot to organise including passport and trying to scrape together enough for other expenses there, like actually eating (do they eat stuff aside from lamb and fush & chups over there?). My passport photo looks like I have hidden a bomb under someone’s seat on the plane and am daring the immigration security squad to bust me. What do you expect my eyes to look like when the photographer told me to take off my glasses and look directly at the camera and FOCUS. What camera – where? Focus on what? All I could see was blurry shapes!!
Stay tuned for my adventures in NZ – which will be like the Amazing Race on valium if my sisters itinerary is anything to go by – or as she said “Thelma & Louise without the spouse abuse, car park assaults, Brad Pitt or driving off a cliff to our certain doom.”
In the meantime.  I hope to have seen you all at Dunoon’s soccer presentations celebrating our great community spirit!