Rose of a Thousand Blooms

Dad called this the "Rose of a Thousand Blooms". We always had it growing at our place and it certainly lived up to its name. Sandra was adamant a spray of this was to be placed on her coffin at her funeral. The family were in panic this week because none could be found with flowers -- only buds. Miraculously one bud opened just in time for the Tuesday service. I now have that cutting, shown here, and plan strike it and plant it in memory of Sandra.

First Grandchild

This month we celebrated the birth of our first grandchild, Robert Luke Chippendale. The photo is of myself and wife Susan holding Robert for the first time.

What a Week!

What are the probabilities of three people you know all dying within a week without there being any connection between each person? Perhaps this is the week I should have bought a lottery ticket. The past few days unfolded thus:

1. I get a call Thursday afternoon from Gisella to tell me our friend Roger (age 65 - 4 years older than me) is in hospital and not expected to live through the night. I drop everything I am doing (preparing for a workshop in Canberra) and rush over to take Gisella to see Roger. The hospital won't let us take our dog Starkey even though Roger loves Starkey. Gisella decides to take one of the balls Roger gave Starkey (they used to love playing ball together so much). When we arrive at the hospital Roger is too sick to talk to us. We are sure he knows we are there and pleased to know it. Gisella places Starkey's ball in his hand. He clutches on to it. Saturday we get word Roger has died. Wednesday Gisella has to attend an information session for a new job she is interested in and has to leave early for Roger's funeral. I can't attend because I am in Canberra running a workshop.
2. I call Wednesday night to find out how Roger's funeral went. Gisella informs me another person we know (aged in his thirties) had died at the weekend from an asthma attack! The funeral is set for Friday just before her job interview with the same people she had an information session with before Rogers funeral.
3. Friday night I arrive home from Canberra. My wife (Susan) picks me up from the Airport. The first thing she says is, "Your cousin Sandra has died." Sandra is the same age (3 days difference) as myself. I have always been very fond of Sandra. This is a real shock. At least next week I'm not running a workshop so will be able to attend Sandra's funeral.

What a week!