Storytime

I'm not one for teams. Have never played a team sport, and not good at all with a crowd, especially when I don't know anyone. Hello anxiety. However this past weekend was a great example of how teamwork gets things done. It was the Cancer Council Casey Relay for Life 2019...and our group, Mobile Book Worms took to the track. This group is part from work, partners and children, ex-workers and even friends of friends.  It takes some captaining to get this group together and our Fay is amazing. She does it year after year and always with a smile, even if a tired one. This year was hard. It was hot, very hot. There were fires locally (staff members had been evacuated ) and the skies were smoke choked and the sun at one point was blood red. But we walked, and we walked and we walked. I walked for so many people. So many loved ones and family have died from cancer, but my main two were mum and dad. Both lost to this horrid disease. And we walk to...

This has been my third Relay for Life  , and once again not only was I amazed at the sense of community but it was a very bitter sweet time for me. Last year Dad had a white luminaria bag, as a survivor. This year his was a memorial luminaria bag. Honestly there is nothing so touching as walking past all these lit bags. Each one in memory of someone, either someone gone or someone surviving. It's an amazing experience....and a great bonding one. Once again, the Mobile Bookworms stormed away. This photo is of those at the end of the relay. Most had been walking for hours and hours. This year we had over 40 members, some came with their children, some came with their spouses. Everyone walked. Our amazing leader, Fay, walked over 40 laps. Over 32 kilometres...well deserved cup of tea and hot bath waiting for her that night! As I walked, my thoughts turned to Dad. Of his random visits to see us when Kate was working in Melbourne. How he would always take hom...

Ah, if only we could bottle it. Determination that is. Some days it is so easy to find. You have a list of MUST DO's and each one is neatly ticked off, often before lunch time. You are so motivated and determined that before you know it, three chapters from an old work are edited and you are 3000 words into a new piece. Other days... It's almost impossible to get off social media and the thought of a blank page is enough to give you nightmares. Last weekend I did my second Casey Relay for Life.  Along with a great group of people, we were the Mobile Bookworms. The majority of us work (or have worked) at the library. Others are friends/ partners/ children of those that work there...hence the name. A fantastic group of people, eager to put their feet to the test. We had dedicated folks who slept in their cars...others managed naps in chairs or tent. Some of us went home for a few hours kip, then back for more laps. The cause is something so many of us feel very...

On Saturday I joined in with the Mobile Bookworms for the Casey Relay for Life .  It wasn't exactly on my list of things to do. I had thought about it when the memo did the rounds. Thought it would be a good idea. And that was that. Until Mr M (organizer) came into work with a 'your name isn't down, why not?' I couldn't think of a reason why not so promptly put my name down. Now I did it easy, unlike so many that stayed the night...a few even went to work the next day...or is that the same day?  That is dedication. I could say I had my sister and 3 of her kids down and staying for the night...which in fact is true...and an excuse if I want one.  But I did arrive on the Saturday about 10 am...and walked...and walked...till the closing ceremony at six. There were rests of course. Not many, and not for long. Soon learnt the longer you rested the more your legs ached when you began walking again. So walk it was. Unless we were getting o...