Randwick City-My Special Place

26 January is Australia Day. I decided to hold a luncheon to celebrate my 35th year in this country. Most of the people who came were migrants like myself.They are mostly schoolteachers-retired and semi-retired. We are certainly getting on but not quite ready for the waiting room of God i.e.Retirement Homes,not yet anyhow!

We had so much fun remembering the mistakes we had made(old age makes you laugh at your mistakes!),the culture shock,the extreme homesickness and loneliness.

Being a migrant for whatever reason-economic,political persecution or absolute desperation -still entails a deep sadness and bereavement that may take a very long time to overcome. There are such high hopes and expectations of the adopted country and adaptation can be very challenging. There is also a tendency to idealize the country left behind forgetting the reason for leaving. The hankering for the old familiar places,people and smell(good or bad) could be painfully real.

It took three years for me to adjust.I used to cry myself to sleep.But then I met a man I fell in love with and moved to Randwick where I have now lived for thirty two years!

Where is it?It is six kilometers(4miles)from the Central Business District of Sydney,a historic residential suburb coveniently close to the many treasures found just beyond its borders.There is Centenial Park to the north,200 hectares(over 400 hundred acres of beautiful rose garden,duck ponds ,equestrian and other sporting facilities,bike tracks and playgrounds for kids.The Randwick Racecourse to the west was the venue when the late Pope John Paul came to beatify Mary McKillop and will now be the venue to be used for  the World Youth Conference to be attended by Pope Ratzinger.Beautiful Clovelly and Coogee Beach to the east were holiday destinations for many people. The well-equipped Prince of Wales Hospital and New South Wales University are located to the south.It is well serviced by public transport although walking is very much favoured.One needs not own a car!A big plus for the environment.

In spite of being a city with one of the highest density population,it has remained a friendly village where people give a friendly smile,a nod,a comment about the weather or a “How are you?”This may seem odd for a total stranger but it is just normal on this side of the world.How are you?-being a greeting ,not a question.

A daughter of mine who studied and now working in London carried this friendliness when she first got there.She told me that when she was walking to the tube station one day she met an old lady and she told her “What a beautiful day?(rather rare!)”The lady answered”Yes,indeed!”BUT Do I know you?When my daughter answered”Not really.Just want to share my appreciation of this glorious day”She said”How nice!” as they went on their separate destinations.

So,what makes a place special? The location,the people or one’s hopes and expectations!I believe all of the above!More importanly perhaps,are the inhabitants of the place.

There was a group of men who used to sit at the corner of the park.They indulged in their love affair with alcohol.As I walked past them regularly I used to give a nod and say “Lovely day” or “Isn’t it cold/hot whatever!” Someone will always respond the same way as I maintained my walking speed until one day someone called out “You’ve been away?Love”I stopped , turned around and said “Yes,I visited my children in London”He said”We thought that might have been the case.Glad to see you back”I said “Thank you” and went on my way.I was moved .I had been missed by these people because I took a bit of time to acknowledge their existence.From then on I made a point of letting them know I’ll be away and they always tell me to have a safe trip.

Unfortunately,one member of the group was found dead one morning.He was a diabetic.To have problems with alcohol and homelessness,he was living on borrowed time.

There is a lady I often see walking her three poodles.She wouldn’t be out of place in Paris.

There is a couple from Spain.They are getting more frail each day but their faces light up when I talk to them in my little Spanish!

There is a group of Asians who meet regularly without really intending to.They go to the same spot exchange recipes,inform others of special sales. The kids have grown,finished University and new kids ,young families come and go.I provide community service as a Justice of the Peace to witness signatures on documents and certify copies of documents.

I love this vibrant,happy community. It is not perfect but what is?

I hope I can live and enjoy this place for a long time to come.God willing!

  

Gratitude

I read”Tuesdays With Morrie “by Mitch Albom two years ago. It is a true story of a man’s journey  towards death-difficult and painful, but very uplifting and inspiring! It could have been harrowing and terribly confronting but the indomitable courage and strength of spirit that was lovingly observed and recorded by Mitch of his former teacher’s steady decline and loss of control of the most basic physical functions and the matter-of-factness acceptance of help without resentment must have been an honour and privilege to witness. May we all be blessed with such dignity,hope and acceptance of the inevitability of death.

I then read Mitch Albom’s “Five People You Meet in Heaven”.

Just as inspiring! It got me to think back in my own life and the people who had a role and had influenced me in what I am today.   

I had to start with my own mother. It was only shortly before she died that I found out the horror she had endured during the war.Suffice it to say that no woman should ever suffer such indignities. Most importantly,she survived it. She had to marry out of necessity and to save her parents and brothers and sisters. At the end of the war she married my father.This time she married for love but loved too much and carried the burden of bringing up eight children. Whenever I feel a little low I only think of her and I get out of the doldrums-quick-smart!

She wanted to be a teacher but didn’t get the opportunity so she insisted that I become one.She lived her dream through me. I wanted to study law!

Then there was my first love who convinced me to study at the most selective school in the country. I had the needed school marks but not the determination to compete at that level. Love conquers all.He was going there so I did too.I lost my first love but I gained a science degree at a prestigious university.

This in turn made it possible for me to migrate to Australia as a fully qualified schoolteacher.

While studying for a Master’s Degree at Sydney University, a friend who was also doing the same course invited me to attend a graduate student’s party. It was a stormy ,wintry evening.I was ready for bed and reluctant to go but relented in the end.Lo! and Behold! This was where I met my wonderful husband(a Lecturer at a different department)who became the father of my four intelligent,beautiful and responsible children.My friend also married a Lecturer and had three children.Our husbands were friends and still are!

There are also those who extended unconditional love and friendship over the years and has continued to do so.

I even enjoyed,relished the kindness of strangers.On the plane to Sydney,I sat beside a lovely couple. We chatted and they found out that I didn’t know anybody in the country.Nobody was meeting me.They didn’t know I had very little money as well. Before we parted at the airport,this gentleman came up to me and told me “Young lady,I don’t want to go through life forever wondering whatever happened to you. You must come with us until you get a job !” He turned out to be a Member of Parliament. I lived with them.He rang the Department of Education and demanded that they give me a job since I was holding a certificate from them that I was qualified. They agreed to give me an interview and I received my appointment a week later.

My love and gratitude go to all these people.I have had a very fortunate life. There were many difficulties that I had to overcome,near death experience from a car accident as well as critics,detractors,people with malice and evil intentions.All these made me who I am today.I take the good with the bad.It makes for a well-balanced life.

I would like to thank them all. I don’t have to wait for death or meet them in heaven.I am so grateful for meeting them all on earth.

For any wrongdoings,sins of ommissions I seek forgiveness.

On my kitchen window sits a plaque that states:

I shall pass through this world but once,

Any good thing therefore that I can do,or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature,let me do it now,for I shall not pass this way again.