23/10/2024
Another long post:
As a parent I will never know the impact that others have on my children’s lives. There are so many people that influence, grow and develop my children. Some I will never even meet as they have already done the work they have done for my children’s lives and for you I am grateful.
In Bali, I swim daily and in swimming I have had an opportunity to reflect on those humans that have been fundamental to my growth as a human.
Today I swam and imagined my dear neighbour Joe Avison.
I doubt Joe will ever know the influence he had on my life and the lives of my children. Joe was a neighbour like no other. A teacher of art, a trout fisher, a gardener and a parent to his own two children. Jo, introduced me to art. He welcomed me to his home his door always open. I would often fake a reason to arrive but it was his house with Peter, Lousie and Heather his dear wife that I wanted to visit. Their home was filled with creativity, painting, paper mache, pottery and curio objects from foreign lands. Jo and Heather were neighbours of an incredible Calibre. Joe was also my Swim coach for a while at the Papakura swimming club.
Joe saw me and he saw my family. He gifted me a bow tree. A tree in his backyard that hung over my fence and grew bows. I would search this tree daily to find a new bow and estatic when one was found. Joe, was (secretly) my tooth fairy. When I lost a tooth I would write a letter and Jasmine my tooth fairy would write back. She wrote letters of love, kindness and how to be their for others. She told me
She loved my smile and this made me joyful beyond belief. Joe (secretly) a Santa Claus letter also. All these letter I have kept and they are my most important possession. I have kepted them through flat shifts, house alterations. Joe understood the world of the child for whatever reason as an adult he had not lost his own inner child.
When, I grew into teen-dom I out grew Joe I stopped visiting I stopped smiling at him. I stopped knocking on the door and asking for a swim when I had towel in hand and googles on my head. I forgot Joe. Until I had my own children and I saw Joe as a guide of how to be a good and caring adult to other people’s children.
Today I swam with Joe, Today I remembered all he gifted me unexpectant of anything in return.
What I would give for another meeting with Joe, to say Thankyou. Thankyou for your kindness your tolerance and your patience. I am sorry if it hurt when I moved on. But you were a very good teacher and the lessons you taught were beyond any class room learning I have been credited.
I will love you always.
I will never know who my children fully appreciate as influences to their journeys. Please know I am grateful to each and everyone of you. To the Joes of their lives. Much love always.
With loving Kindness Nicci
