On Remembering and Celebrating

I always find myself pondering and musing at this time of the year. As I thought about it, I realised that August and September are significant for us in many ways. Next week, we celebrate our arrival in Perth thirteen years ago to begin a new life - a husband, wife, three children and several suitcases holding most of our worldly possessions.

It was my father-in-law's birthday in late August and he and his wife celebrated their anniversary and her birthday just a few days after in early September. They passed away years ago, as did my dad in late September 2006, so this time of the year brings some of the sweetest, and saddest memories.

We used to plant sweet peas in mum's honour when we first arrived. She used to grow the most amazing sweet peas I have ever seen and anyone who visited always left the house with an armful of fragrant, brightly coloured blooms. She taught me how to plant my own, even though they were never quite as glorious as hers. We didn't plant any this year, but a few of the seeds from last year must have germinated yielding a couple of little plants recently. My husband picked a couple of gorgeous magenta blossoms this last weekend, and we remembered our precious parents fondly. It is amazing how sights, sounds and scents can evoke such strong and tender memories.

We also celebrated Father's Day this last Sunday. While I thought about our dads and their gracious, funny interactions with our children, I was so grateful to celebrate two of my favourite fathers in the world - my husband and my son-in-law. Watching them 'father' and 'grandfather' is a joy and so good for my soul.

I'm not sure why, in Australia, we celebrate Father's Day in September, while most of the rest of the world celebrates it in June - but I'm all for it. After all, it coincides with the coming of Spring when all of nature shakes off the cloak of winter and begins to blossom and bring new life.

This Father's Day has been very difficult for so many with the world-changing Covid-19 pandemic still in our midst. Celebrations have looked different with regional and international travel restrictions and limited social gatherings leaving many families grieved, regretful and feeling isolated.

But, as I look around, I am encouraged that even in distance and loss, we can celebrate our treasured family members through the gifts of modern technology or sweet memories, and find great comfort in gratitude and thanksgiving.