Seriously, Lest We Forget

I love Anzac Day. I really do. The sound of kids enjoying a day off as they play in their yard, the parade, the memorial service, the bikkies…mmm… the bikes.

But more than enjoying it, I think its really important.

I get sad each year at the parade. When we first moved to Townsville more than 7 years ago, we would be busily escorting hundreds of elderly diggers out of their vintage military vehicles. It was a delight and they always thanked us for being American… after all, America played a huge part in the battle of the coral sea. Australia may have looked a lot different had we not showed up, actually.

Its been sad to see fewer and fewer diggers proudly exiting their vehicles and waving to the crowd. They’re literally dying off and this year, one of the estimates I heard was 10… 10 Townsville diggers left. How many will be there next year?

I find it so sad… and yet part of life… and the reason why I think its important we don’t forget.

We must remember the battles that have been fought before we got here… the lessons that were learned, the reasons foundations were laid, the traditions that should be upheld, the relationships that were forged…

Not just when it comes to war, but in general. Any achievement we may experience is largely due to those who have been before us  either by teaching us, or preparing the way for us. Sure, it may not have been perfect, but it was a stepping stone, and we have the privilege of walking the path, extending it, building higher, carrying on the baton.

As I consider where other have been, and what steps forward I will take, I hope that I, too, can leave a legacy… another layer… something that not only my children can build on, but those I work with now and who will do what I do later… so that they can go much farther and higher than I ever well.

Lest we forget.

Australians, All Let Us Rejoice!

Our dual citizenship feels a bit more real this year as we have the opportunity to vote in … four elections this year:

1. Australia State Elections
2. Australia Federal Elections
3. Australia Local Elections (city council)
4. US Presidential Elections

We love to vote. Call us silly… patriotic… pathetic… whatever. We love the small parts we can play to influence the countries we love and are a part of.

So, true to the Australian national anthem, we were rejoicing today as we went to the polls and participated in our very first Australian election!

votes not boats!

Unfortunately, Max wasn’t rejoicing quite as much. Somehow he thought that we said we were going to go “boat” not “vote.” Fair enough. For a kid his size, a boat would be far more exciting that standing in a long line, writing on a piece of paper, and dropping it in a box.

Some of the things I enjoyed about this election? You actually get to rank your candidates in order of who you’d want. That way, if there’s a little-known person running for office who you really like, you don’t feel like you’re throwing your vote away.

What I didn’t like? No “I Voted” sticker. I love those things! Makes me feel like a proud patriotic citizen all day. But I guess in a nation where you get fined if you don’t vote, a sticker is probably a bit redundant. Oh well! Maybe we’ll get one with our absentee ballot for the US election this year!!

Either way, we’re praying for the best outcome and wisdom for all the leaders put into office today.

“In history’s page, let every stage advance Australia fair!”

Renewable Energy

This weekend we found ourselves at the Townsville EcoFiesta and Lifestyle Expo on Green Living… or something like that.

Mostly, we love hitting up this gorgeous park called Queens Gardens and browsing some local innovations while listening to some folky tones from local musicians like our friends Woje… and getting free stuff.

But we’re also keen to put our hands on the roof painted with special paint to resist the heat, and entertain the comments of my observant teenage brother on the irony of the place he’s just come from is all about conserving heat… NOT repelling it.

Uncle Luke is here.

We couldn’t be happier.

And even though we did learn our share of energy and water saving tips, our energy was renewed in a different way too.

The, oh.my.gosh.my.brother.is.finally.at.my.house sort of way.

The, i’ve.dreamed.of.going.to.australia.for.eight.years sort of way.

The, i.have.a.real.life.uncle.who.is.teaching.me.how.to.be.a.warrior sort of way.

I left home when my brother was just older than my son. And now he’s 14 and travelled half way around the world on his own to hang with us. Awesome. And though our energy levels have hit the.pass.out.in.the.car.on.the.way.home level, we’ve also been renewed in a deep, soulful sort of way.