Home again on my birthday.

We had a nice few days in Sydney. The exhibition was ok, not as good as the Terracotta Warriors exhibition though. But I’m glad we went.
As we were walking to the museum we passed the ANZAC war memorial in Hyde Park, so visited it on the way back. It was really interesting, and had a small room at the side with some items belonging to soldiers. One small group of carvings was so lovely, but they didn’t know who had carved it. Presumably the soldier had died and someone brought them home when the war ended. They were so small it must have taken some patience to make them. Not being artistically gifted in any way, I was full of admiration for them.
We then made our way to a restaurant near Melissa’s house, and had a lovely veal parmigiana. Far too much but we ate nearly all of it. Then we had a nice stroll home.
Didn’t go out Saturday evening as I think we were both tired from the heat of the day before. Sydney had cooled down on the Saturday thank goodness.
Today was my birthday and we visited Paddy’s Market where I bought 2 nice tops. We had only gone there looking for socks for husband. But these lovely tops just called me over.
We decided to visit the casino for lunch before heading to the airport for our flight home. When we were leaving we stopped at one of the slot machines and as I was putting money into it, I said “be good to me as it’s my birthday” and we won $130. Yeah, a nice birthday present.
It was a bit sad for us leaving Sydney knowing Melissa wasn’t going to be there any more, and we may not go there again for a long time. So we’ll just have to visit her in Perth, when she moves to West Australia in Feb. But we do love Sydney.
Evan called to wish me happy birthday and asked how I was feeling. I told him I felt 65.lol However, I only feel a day older than yesterday.
I remember when my uncle died at 50, when I was 24, I thought he was old, but realised as I got older he had died far too young. My aunt was widowed at 49 and never got married again and was without him for 35 years. Sad when I think about it.
My dad didn’t make it to my age either. He died at 61 and my mum was on her own for 26 years.
Evan’s girlfriend died at 25, with her whole life ahead of her, having finished her Uni course in journalism, for which she had received awards. No words to describe that loss.
And my daughter Danielle didn’t have a chance to live, dying a few hours after her birth in 1985. I think of her often and wonder how she would look. And I know Melissa, like me, would have loved a sister.
So I’m glad to be 65 and hope to have many more years ahead of me. Beside, if I’m ever to be a grandparent, I’ll have to hang on for many years by the look of it!
When we got home from Sydney we discovered it had been raining most of the day. Lovely rain! The whole area will appreciate it. I just hope it’s falling where the fires are still burning.
Tonight will be an early to bed night. I missed sleeping in my own bed.

Bye………….