This is one of my favourite photos of my daughter Zoe taken many years ago at her Year 10 School Formal.
For those of you who have followed my project for some time, you will know that Zoe tragically died on the 3 February 2013.
Today would have been her 38th birthday.
Sadly too, the young man in the photo, who was one of Zoe's best school friends, also died tragically about 3 years ago. The car he was driving was hit by a drunk driver and he and his girlfriend were killed instantly.
I don't want this to be a sad picture. The point I want to make is that whoever is important in your life please tell them that you love them because you never know how quickly your lives can change.
My other daughter Deb and I started 365 at the beginning of January 2013 and I wasn't sure if I should continue after Zoe died, but I felt sure she would have wanted me to carry on. It was the best thing I ever did because it made me go out each day and look for something good in the world when things were looking so bleak.
The support I have received from you all during the last year has been amazing and I want to thank you all so much. Words really can't describe how you have all helped me.
A few days after Zoe died, David, Deb and I were just about running on empty emotionally and we had to go to the local supermarket. Outside the supermarket was a young chap who I have since found out is called Henry Shanks. He is a New Zealander and travels around Australia playing a handpan. I took his photo on the 9 February last year playing the handpan outside the supermarket. I have since found him on youtube and here is his music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wonrRPr1oM4 if anyone is interested in listening. At the time it just lifted my soul. I stood listening to him for quite some time and eventually had a chat with him too. He was a beautiful person and got a lovely hug from him. I had never heard of a handpan before and if anyone is interested here is an explanation of what it actually is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0h4syLlw5g
This chap is called Daniel Waples and he is brilliant. I seem to be drawn to buskers with dreadlocks etc. for some reason.
It took me a while, but I have got my sense of humour back now (It was under the bed)!!! and I have more good days than bad ones now.
Today's Port Stephens photo
http://365project.org/onewing/topics/2014-03-23
Happy Birthday Zoe xxx
...luckily for me....my son reminds me of him very much.....my heart goes out to you, Babs...
There are not too many things worse than when the police knock on your door to inform you that your daughter has just died. However traumatic it was for David and I, we have to appreciate how difficult it is for the police too and any emergency services especially the ones who tried their best to bring Zoe back to life. I have nothing but admiration for all of them. They must suffer dreadfully from the things they experience. I have a friend who is a retired forensic police photographer who suffers dreadful flashbacks from the things he has had to take photos of during his career.
A few days after Zoe died, David, Deb and I were just about running on empty emotionally and we had to go to the local supermarket. Outside the supermarket was a young chap who I have since found out is called Henry Shanks. He is a New Zealander and travels around Australia playing a handpan. I took his photo on the 9 February last year playing the handpan outside the supermarket. I have since found him on youtube and here is his music http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wonrRPr1oM4 if anyone is interested in listening. At the time it just lifted my soul. I stood listening to him for quite some time and eventually had a chat with him too. He was a beautiful person and got a lovely hug from him. I had never heard of a handpan before and if anyone is interested here is an explanation of what it actually is. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0h4syLlw5g
This chap is called Daniel Waples and he is brilliant. I seem to be drawn to buskers with dreadlocks etc. for some reason.
I may copy this info to the explanation of this picture in case others may be inspired with the music.
Thank you all again. I'm off to bed now I am shattered. Night night.
Many hugs & I will check out your singing friend. Chin up to the whole family ! xxxxxx
Henry's music is fantastic and just what I needed at the time. Hope you enjoyed it. Here is the photo I took of him last year http://365project.org/onewing/365/2013-02-09
When we got home after Zoe's funeral I told a friend about him and would you believe it about 3 weeks later she was on holiday in Tasmania and came across him at the Salamanka market there. Small world eh, even in Australia.
If you check out the Daniel Waples clip too look out for the alien in the audience about 2.50 min into the clip. I think this was at the Edinburgh festival. You get all sorts in Scotland!!
Even on bad days I can check out pics on here and there is always something which will make me smile and cheer me up.
On our way back to New South Wales a couple of weeks after Zoe's funeral I saw a quotation on a wall in a café and it said "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass it is about learning to dance in the rain". That's what I try to do.
It seemed appropriate for the two of them to be in the photo as they were such good friends and both came to a sudden end. I hope they are together again.