Memories of visitors and such

Mum and dad came to stay for a few days
After Tim's car accident in May of 1982...
Helped us out and took care of us
They arrived on Saturday the 29th of May
It was also our 3rd wedding anniversary
Three days before: on the 26th of May
Ian and Kathy came to see poor Tim
Spent a few hours chatting to pass the day
My cousin George also came to say hello
He and Molly lived just up the road
At West Lakes Shore with little Alicia
I had visited them with mum and dad and Alec
I still remember George arriving at 8 am
In his regular work clothes: ready for his day
Sitting on our old second-hand floral couch
Kaiser sitting next to him: begging for attention
Ah the memories that come into play...

We saw a solicitor as the other driver was at fault
Ian and Kathy visited again a few days later
John took me shopping as we had lost our car
We bought an old morris 1100 from Fiona W
It cost us $350 with number plate 143-861
Got a parking fine on the 11th of June
It was for $4.00: number 912216...
Wish parking fines were as cheap today...
We sold the Morris for $400 a few weeks later on
Wow...that's the only car we ever made money on!
We picked up the Ford Escort van on 25 June
(Thanks to Graeme Thiele: ANZ Bank Manager
In Port Adelaide where we got a loan: SXY-344
Showed the car off to Ian and Kathy...
Stayed at their place till very late...
Had a late night pizza at La Trattoria restaurant
In King William St Adelaide: been going there for years
We even took in a few movies at the drive-inn
Saw "Eyes of a stranger" and "I the Jury"
Apparently they were "Horrible" 
Not even worth remembering I guess...
They got a mention in my Diary none the less!

Flashes of memory from 1982

I get flashes of memories as I read along
Dear Diary it is amazing to catch up again in 1982
43.2 degrees C: Monday the 11th of January
Tim bought some insulation for the lounge room
We had to try and keep cool in that summer heat
Apricot cutting time it was and we were living there
At Kingston-on-Murray in the Riverland
Helping mum and dad with the fruit season...
Nothing more is written there for the next few months
Until Tim's accident is mentioned on the 24th of May
At the corner of Magill and Portrush Roads, Trinity Gardens
I was working at the time and couldn't get to the hospital
They wouldn't let me go: said there was nothing I could do
So I went in early in the morning: exhausted from the stress
Mother Andersson was already there visiting with Tim
That's what I called her in those early days...
My boss dropped me off at the RAH as we had no car
We felt so sad and miserable as we hugged...
Commiserated with each other over our sad fate
Now we'd lost the car that we were going to trade in
For that green Ford Escort van that we needed
To start our new carpet cleaning business
We'd just bought the machinery from Taylor's Cleaning 
And everything was suddenly falling apart for us
Ah the feelings: that return when we look back
To those days so many long years ago...

Hughie's 3rd Birthday party

Found a little note in my diary
Hughie's 3rd birthday party...
On the 6th of January in 1982
It was held at Auntie Betty's place
In Kingston-on-Murray that's true
Mum and dad and I went...
Tim went to Adelaide that day
Debbie was there and sister Kerry too
Kerry had a boyfriend called Rod back then
Laurie and Clare were there as well
Obviously: Hugh was their grandson too!
If I remember correctly: Nana Drogemuller
Was still around to join the celebrations
Bodie was their little dog: Hughie's little friend
They ran around, had heaps of fun
Enjoying all the attention that was showered
Upon that little birthday boy...

Beautiful to remember that blessed day

Now I recall Pop Drogemuller too
Thin and wizened as he was...
Sitting in his easy chair...
His precious little whippet dog
They looked very much alike: those two
Thin and tall and gangling
All arms and legs as I recall
But the date is a mystery
That I cannot recall at all...

A matter of trust

How can you trust someone?
Unless you really know them
How can you read someone?
Unless you really show them
That you can see into their heart...
That you can understand that part...
That shines from deep within
Their soul will appear so bright
If only there is God's light...
So how do we discern a soul?
Can we truly see who is in control?
Do actions speak?
Of those things which we seek?
Do those signs that appear?
Show that one is sincere...
Indeed: can I tell a man by his deeds?
God sees everything and knows
He sees into our very hearts
Before anything else shows...
For His all seeing eyes follow
Our every move and thus
Our intentions appear opaque
Yes, nothing can we hide from Him
Because he sees all

In denial

She's in denial: doesn't want to accept
The life that has passed her: is bereft
Her pain surrounds her: she is awash
With the shame that fills her: pulls her
Deeper into those darkest depths: no light
Shines into those darkest corners of her past
Her daughters call her: need her, but she is deaf
Sadness is her constant companion every day
This is no longer such an easy game to pay
Her friends have left her: they have had enough
Of her neediness that grows larger every day
She wallows in self-pity: alcohol drags her...
Further into that deep despair: doesn't shower
Doesn't care to even comb her beautiful dark hair
She chooses to give up her heart to Satan's wiles
Says "nobody loves me: nobody cares for me"
These thoughts fly around within her befuddled head
No longer will her friends support her...cannot...
They have their own lives to lead: families to feed
Too many times they have rescued her...
Saved her from her own mistakes: enough is enough
She does not listen to their words of wisdom...
She is in denial: is determined to stay this way
For she is used to being rescued: being saved
Her "poor me" attitude is losing sway...
Only prayers are given by her friends now
For they have lost their patience: it is gone away!

Is this how God feels about us?
Sinners that we are...
Do we grieve the Holy Spirit?
Do we ignore dear Jesus' pleas?
When will our probation end?
When will God have enough?
Of asking, of begging us to come...

A breath of summer

A breath of summer upon the breeze
A rustling among the Eucalypts leaves
Warmth of sunshine upon my skin
Spring is showing what is to come
From coldest winter to sultry days
Blessings falling from clearest skies
Seemed like winter would never end
And yet here come glorious warm days
Will we be happy now spring is here?
Will we cease complaining of the cold?
How soon will our thoughts return?
To complaining that it is too hot again...

The battle within

There's a battle going on within
My thoughts are in turmoil...
Jumbled feelings and worries
Each vying to win...
I worry for my family...
I worry for this world...
So many things are going on
So many things are happening
Wars and rumours of wars
People: lost and dying every day
Ah dear Lord...
Is there no other way?
Why can we not love each other?
Why can we not forgive?
Can we not feel each other's pain?
Can we not understand another's sin?
We are each upon our own journey
We are each struggling to find a way
Ah dear Lord I feel your sadness
As you look down upon us all
Your dear children: lost along their way