1/12/2024
Dear Diary,
C drinks decaffeinated tea with milk and one sugar.
C drinks one cup throughout the day, asking that it be reheated when it cools down.
Occasionally C asks for the tea to be a little stronger, or that there be a little more sugar added.
A nice cup of tea is a simple pleasure.
To not be able to get up and make it yourself, precisely how you like it ..is a travesty.
27/11/2024
Dear Diary,
Today I went to C's house - the weather was hot and humid. Not the best combo for C.
An outing was rescehduled they watched tv instead.
We talk a lot about so many aspects of our lives.
They often cry from the frustration of there being a full stop end of against so many things that they can no longer do.
When I leave their home and step back into my own life my whole being tingles with gratitude...
25/11/2024
Dear Diary,
Today I spent 7 1/2 hours with C.
We went to an op shop. Oh what fun we had.
Yesterday friends came to visit.
One brought Sunflowers and news that they have bought a house.
The other brought news that The Spanish Dancer has arrived in their life.
When they left.
I felt the full weight of their news.
My Sunflower Friend will move interstate next year to work and live in their new house. I shall visit them. But will miss them too. The friendship is rich and rare - we arrived at the friendship via conversations we would have - me leaning on the fence of my old apartment - street level - a revelation of connectivity- my friend riding past - home from a long shift at work.
My Sunflower friend has the ability to sit still - listen with an unflinching intensity. We talk often about serendipitous moments, the way that roadside pieces of furniture - appear at precisely the right time. The way that when adversity hits we use the well worn practice of holding the line.. knowing that we have the ability to get through.
My Spanish Dancer friend - I have known for many years.. through the gruelling early years of parenting, to the exasperation of teenage years, to having adult kids each bringing their own twist on what it is to be a mother.
The well of sadness that they may not be here for much longer, is counterbalanced by the infinite joy to have them in my life. Our greeting is always a belly laugh in anticipation of the sheer joy of spending time with each other.
We have our own language and have had many long meandering conversations of shared wisdom and infinite love for each other. Often conversations are a revelation - we learn what it is to be a mother and a friend and to be with partners old and new...
24/11/2024
Dear Diary,
C messaged to confirm a shift with her tomorrow.
There is nothing better on a Sunday night than having the purpose and dignity of work to turn up to on Monday.
& I did a gig today. Gosh it felt great to be back in the saddle.
Another man in a grey suit is trending on twitter
22/11/2024
Dear Diary,
Today I talked to G about their daughter L who needs a support worker.
It's like reading a very busy room.
L has no friends.
L's mother said that she is very tired, three times in the very short conversation.
When I write fiction I draw upon people I've seen on the street, or the image of a bird on a wire, or the way a manager might bully a staff member in a tone as sweet as honey.
Putting the pieces together of a life.. and how to help. Now there's a great story.
#workinpublishing is trending on twitter.
21/11/2024
Dear Diary,
All through the day my phone lit up with alerts from the app.
I scanned them all.. applied for a couple of jobs.
I have applied for so many now.
It's a slow build this work.
I watched the Netflix show Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy a documentary that explores the psychology of consumerism and how corporations use it to increase profits..
The air that we breath the water that we drink is clear here in my corner of the earth.
But ...
20/11/2024
Dear Diary,
I spent the day with C.
A pattern has begun to emerge.
We talked a lot.
& Listened to a CD they recorded 20 years ago. The music was easy going and open, like a breeze on a warm day.
C can't make music like that now.
Creativity is my engine and it was theirs.
I would combust without it.
I played music on the way home.
I have time off till Monday.
