post seven

Nearly one week since last post, was not my intention to leave it that long. Where does time go? It was a busy week with my grandaughter Shae staying, returning her to Werribee to her father, volunteer work and lots of other jobs in between. Today is Saturday. Grand Final Day here, the Bulldogs vs the Sydney Swans. The Dogs won, first time in about 60 years. Well done dogs. Simon took his last breath at the bounce of the ball on Grand Final Day last year, it was then the 3rd October. This year the Grand Final has fallen on the 1st October so it is another day or so before the real anniversary comes and smacks me in the face. What a surreal day today. I volunteered at the Salvation Army Opportunity Shop for 4 hours among people who knew and liked Simon, he volunteered there before he died. Then I went to the hospital to visit the Salvation Army "boss' Peter who fell out of a tree a couple of weeks ago and now sports a compound fracture to his leg. It was his birthday and his family were in Tasmania scattering his father in laws ashes, for obvious reasons Peter could not be there. So a group of Salvo volunteers and officers got together at the hospital to help celebrate Peters birthday with him, we all watched the Grand Final together and a riotous time was had. The most surreal and difficult part for me was being on the same hospital floor as simon was on last year. All so familiar. Interestingly, as I walked through the hospital doors, I felt like a visitor. This time last year it was like a second home. Tough but I got through it with the help of friends. A motley crew, but they are a family or sorts who all stick by one another. So the day is coming to a close as I sit here bathing in the warmth of the loungeroom at home after having dinner at Sue and Dons. House renovation shows are silently screening on the TV as I fiddle here on the computer and get some thoughts out.
One year almost. How quickly it has passed but how much has changed in that time. The sadness passes more slowly, if at all. Today though I felt Simons presence more than I have at any time in the past year.