Slow Mother Blog 18 March 2014
Life shifts. The Fukushima commemoration has reminded me that it's been almost a year
since we visited Japan. We were all so sure this disaster
would signal in a new era of wisdom and humility – that nature will always be
the most powerful – but instead, Japan (and the world) seems to be on the same
trajectory of dominance and control, with the self-proclaimed ‘experts’ of
nuclear technology pushing not only to re-start power stations, but to export
the ‘technology’ to other nations. My heart goes out to you all - the million
mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters who, just as the government goes backwards
into fear and control, go forward in love and peace to demonstrate that another
way is possible. Thank-you.
Life shifts. I am sitting in my family
home of almost 40 years, here in Tugun on the Gold Coast, Australia. This solid brick
house my father designed and built to withstand cyclones and all natural
disasters but could not withstand the emotional storms that dispersed the fabric of
family so many years ago. Perhaps we can re-weave it now...Pacha, Yani and I have come back to share
this house with my Mother who is gracefully ageing and whose will it is to
remain here. As the visits to doctors and occasional hospitals
increase, it felt like the right thing to be here to support her. Mum is
magnificent and really doesn’t need much help – except perhaps a bit in the
garden – but just being here ‘in case’ brings peace of mind. We have been
shifting old patterns –renovating inside and out as we recognize the changes
that time has brought us.
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| Pacha turns 13, March 2 - 2014... |
So, we are now back to a small parcel of
land in the urban Gold Coast jungle (we have a tiny vegetable garden and some
fruit trees), the sound of the nearby highway and the passing planes a constant
reminder of the pace of industrial development. The Gold Coast is a growing
tourist city, famous for it’s beaches, rainforest and surf – but also for its
casinos, plastic surgery and night clubs.
Our beautiful home in the forest in Woombah
has been rented out and awaits our return sometime in the future. Our beloved
Ollie brumby is living close by on an acreage with a horse-loving 13 year old
girl and her family. We can visit him and spend time with him whenever we want
to. We are very, very fortunate.
Pacha and Yani seem to be thriving in this
new, stimulating environment, fitting in to the new schools and connecting with
new friends. It is a constant joy to be around them and share their new
experiences. The pace is much faster here, but the ocean roars in the distance
and is ever welcoming for a ‘re-earthing’ experience. It’s easy to ride our
bicycles to school or to the beach, or the shops – and there are pockets of
like-minded people who support local community and environmental campaigns.
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| We've joined local protests to protect nature... |
The memories of our incredible world
journey fade slightly – but the experiences that changed us and make us who we
are – are still strong and shape all our choices. It is not so easy for me to
adjust – I miss the peace and of the forest - it’s harder to live a slow,
small, simple life here. I am trying to nurture some inner peace while waiting to
be inspired for the next step/project/vision.
So, I apologise for being out of contact
for so very long, but somehow, with all these changes, I’m not as certain about
who I am and how I will/should be in the world. The usual formula of protests
and actions and appeals and projects just seems a little futile right now and I
have been indulging in celebrating life in the moment to the best I can with Mother
and my children.
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| Ollie therapy... |
