MEETING AN OLDIE IS NOT SO PAINFUL. LINGER AND GIVE IT A GO

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Monday 6 October 2008

Something unexpected ...



On my walk this week I came upon a small shrine which remembered a little boy called Travis. It must help his family come to terms with something that remains terrible.

I paused, thinking I must not intrude on a private moment.

But I came to believe that Travis' family wanted to make a statement. To declare to all who passed that way their love for the little boy, and to share a grief.

And so I stood quiet and decided to pass on the message to you.




Many people who loved Travis apparently gathered together on what would have been his second birthday.

They came carrying teddy bears, toys, flowers and birthday cards. There were especially written poems and messages from those who cared.

They tied all to an Australian native tree, there on the bank of the waterway.



Even today, the teddies keep watch.

The shrine is on a lovely quiet spot not far from a newish housing estate.

Birds call each other and there are many ducks.



I did not know Travis or his family, and had never passed that way before.



His memory is in good hands ...






My walk took me along some of the kilometres of canals used to drain former wetlands where you could once glimpse Australia's only stork, the jabaroo.

A few years ago, just before the bulldozers moved in, I actually saw two of these magnificent creatures fly off, their great long legs dangling behind ...

Now, apart from some small areas of bushland, the area is residential houses.



There are some nice spots where animals scurry ...



I continued my walk and found 'civilisation'.



Here the new growth bush ceases and suburbia begins.



I live on the hill in the distance.



Some species have learned to live alongside us. But others have disappeared.



This guy didn't move a feather, even though I came very close. He/she had his/her eye on me though!



Human beings are certainly well catered for here. The bike/walking track is a blessing.



It's easy to chat with friends under a shady shelter.



Exotic plants have moved in, adding colour and drama.



Michelangelo would have been horrified to find his David left unadorned beside an Australian backyard swimming pool. A less than sensitive talking point.



And this fierce pooch made a show of being a great guard dog until he began wagging his tail!


Mine was a day marked by sharp contrasts ...

26 comments:

  1. What a neat walk! And what a cute pooch!

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  2. Thanks for dropping by Margie.
    Jue

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  3. I felt like I was on your walk with you June. I felt the tears start at the tree with the bears and the tribute to the little boy. Then, I enjoyed all the flowers, the cute little guard dog, and the beautiful trail and nature. Austrailia is so beautiful. Thanks for letting me share your journey.

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  4. Lovely touching photos. you blend the sad (litle Travis's death) with the funny (the pooch) so nicely, wisely putting them next to each other, like the way life is.

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  5. June,
    Thanks for sharing your walk. I grieve for the parents of little Travis.
    I grieve that wetlands were drained for a housing development. We're slowly but surely taking away the habitat of so many birds and animals. I volunteer at a wetlands preserve.
    You live in a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing your pictures.

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  6. You're a lovely softy Judy. Hugs. And I'll take you with me next time!
    luv
    June in Oz

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  7. Thanks for being so understanding and thoughtful, yet again, Sucharita. True - life is like that. Life is full of contrasts, silences and spaces, and helpful writing reproduces them!
    June

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  8. Well done Linda - volunteering at the wetlands reserve. It's too late for our little corner really in that way - the developers have won.
    And Linda - sharing is what we do isn't it? It creates a balance ...
    June

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  9. That was a great post June.

    Your photographs are excellent and I love the way you gave us images along your walking journey. Shame I am lazily sitting at my computer though. I initially thought the wee boy must have drowned but perhaps they just came to a place he loved to celebrate his birthday.

    I loved the picture of the bike track and the one of the jabaroo. As for the statue - mmmm, interesting. My father always wanted something like that - my mother would never agree to it in her backyward though (thank goodness!). Seems like you live in a beautiful part of Australia June - looks peaceful and its great you can walk safely on those paths too!

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  10. Thanks Lilly
    It is true that the little boy drowned. I wasn't sure exactly what had happened when I wrote the post, but knew it must have been a tragedy. I was speaking with my sister this afternoon who knew that the little chap had wandered from a playground at the edge of a housing estate 200 metres away. Terrible.
    The shrine was established on the anniversary of his second birthday.
    It is an intersting walk - especially because of all of the contrasts.
    By the way the bird you thought was a jabaroo was actually an ibis - there are lots of them around here. I'm afraid the much rarer jabaroo is nowhere to be seen since the bulldozers moved in.
    It is a beautiful area - a suburban part of the Tweed Valley which is a magic art of the world. And safe - certainly in the daylight.
    Are you a city girl Lilly? Sydney?
    I am a Sydney native actually.
    Cheers
    June

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  11. What a heartfelt honest memorial for a little boy, in a place he probably enjoyed playing and exploring. And it all blends in so well with the landscape and nature in that area. Thank you for taking us on a little walk with you. Isn't the Net great.... I can sit here , thousands of miles away, feel for the little fellow I never knew, and imagine you taking a walk on those green paths, commenting on the development around you.....

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  12. So true Suranga! I didn't EVER think I would get to an Indian festival.
    Yes, I think the family's sensitive way with the little boy's memorial is fairly typical of Australians. We're informal and love the open air. We love our children and don't mind showing it that's not unusual of course.
    May I say I enjoy your icon - you wicked witch you!
    Cheers
    June in Oz

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  13. June,

    The icon that i show, is not a witch. You see, its the custom in India to have household help ladies, who come in daily to your house. The stuff they normally wear, a saree and blouse, is what you see on the icon. Of course , the brooms we use at a bit different, and more amenable to sweeping floors. (Carpets are NOT de rigeur; its very hot, and the floor feels better , cool)

    My household help has been with me for the last 25 years or more. I even blogged about her twice. here and Here .

    Just thought it might interest you...

    suranga

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  14. What a nice shrine in memory of Travis. It made me sad, but by the time I got to the end of your post, I was happy again. Thanks for the walk. Just beautiful!

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  15. Dear Friend, (although I just met you in your blog), I really enjoyed the pictures and the story of the little boy who drowned near the shrine that has since been placed there in his memory. How sad, and how sweet to be remembered in such a way! I will be back. It is wonderful to read blogs written in other countries. I have visited many countries, but haven't had the pleasure of seeing Australia. I hope you will visit my blog at: http://rubyndub.blogspot.com
    I will certainly be back to visit yours. I linked up to it from Judy's blog. Sincerely, Blabbin' Grammmy.

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  16. Clara, that's what life's about. Ups and downs. Hopefully plenty of ups for us all ...
    Cheers
    June

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  17. Welcome to Oz GRAMMY. I visited your blog and loved it, leaving a message.
    Blogging is such a great way to meet others with lives so different from your own.
    I noticed you reminisce in your writings about such matters as old remedies. I think we oldies do have a bit of a responsibility to speak of the past in its many forms. Little things will be forgotten otherwise. I always remember that history is owned by those who write it! In the past only rich men got to write it. Now it's our turn eh?
    Cheers
    June

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  18. SURANGA I am sorry to mistake you for a witch! I must be a bit more careful when speaking to someone from another culture. I hope I didn't offend you in any way. I think it wonderful to put a memory of your cleaning friend on your blog. Is that what you were doing?
    I will read your other posts with interest ...
    I really want to learn.
    Sincerely
    June

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  19. I, too felt like I was on the walk with you and I felt such a sense of compassion for that little boy's family. Your pictures are gorgeous! Wish I could have gotten to Australia somewhere along my life's road. Thanks!

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  20. Don't give up Sylvia - it's never too late.
    At least, that's the way I keep thinking ... perhaps I'm kidding myself!
    Cheers
    June

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  21. Loved this photo/blog post. Especially the photos of the ducks - lovely.
    I will be back to visit.
    PS: I tried to click on the Followers feature to sign up but couldn't find a way to get in.
    Love,
    Jlo

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  22. Hi Jlo
    Apologies with the problem with 'Following'. Generally you simply click on 'Follow This Blog' and bingo!
    I have reported your comment to Blogger as I see 'Follow' has been replaced by 'Stop Following' !!
    I do hope you come back again to sign up - I want to see your photo daily! That laughter!
    Pleased you liked the ducks.
    Cheers
    June

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  23. Hi again Jlo
    Follower seems to be working now - maybe have another go?
    I find Follower really handy - it's a very easy way to follower your favourites without too much clicking. I wish more people would put it on their blogs.
    Cheers
    June

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  24. Hi to Green who has quietly become my follower. I tripped over to hers - 'Feminine Opinion' - and loved it!
    With the name of her blog 'Green' and her signature 'Emerald Green' she almost has to be an environmentalist? I'll follow and find out ...
    Welcome Emerald.
    Cheers
    June

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  25. I enjoyed going along with you on your walk. Roadside shrines are common here in S. Florida, to commemorate an auto accident. It was a touching memorial to the lost boy. And such a contrast between the beauty of the place and the tragic accident of such a wee mite.

    I enjoyed seeing the ducks. They are quite different the most common ducks around here. I love their lovely feathers in black, white and gray. Great post, June.

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  26. Thanks for the visit Tropigal. Yes, roadside memorials are everywhere here, sadly. So many traffic bingles.
    Travis' little shrine was so unexpected in that place ...

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Maybe you'll also be interested in my other blog www.journeysincreativewriting.blogspot.com