IN SEARCH OF INSPIRATION.
Darwin – the perfect destination.
In August, 2023, our Mum died and we lost the person who held or family together. On the Gold Coast, saying our last farewells to Mum, Janet, Lynda and I made a pledge to keep the family connection alive. Through a Facebook group and phone calls we stayed connected, but we knew personal contact was also needed. We decided to have an annual holiday together. Darwin was this year’s destination and we’ve just had a fun week together. Playing tourist we went on a sunset harbour cruise, visited the Museum and Art Gallery, walked the streets taking in mural art, strolled through the botanical gardens, and ate magnificent restaurant meals. Janet and Lynda also went on a trip to Adelaide River to see the jumping crocodiles. Of course, we all shopped and tried out coffee shops.
Catching up with my sisters was wonderful, but I also saw Darwin as a chance to chase inspiration for my painting and writing.
Murals are everywhere.
These colourful floral murals were on the apartment block directly in front of our apartment.
Where ever we walked we were bombarded with murals painted on the sides of buildings. Below are a sample of them. I’ve chosen these for their use of colours.
The botanical gardens was another source of inspiration.
After breakfasting at Eva’s Cafe (Our Mum’s name was Eva) in the Darwin Botanical Gardens, we went for a stroll and I snapped photos that I hope to turn into a few oil paintings. Here they are below.
I have a heap more photos from the gardens, and will refer to them as I compose new oil paintings.
Writing inspiration.
The Darwin holiday was also aimed at providing me inspiration for my writing. I am currently writing a memoir titled, Good Grief – A son’s very personal memoir. It is about Mum’s death and the impact she had on my entire life. Holidaying with my sisters allowed me to share sections of my book and also to check on memories.
As I am writing about grief, I hit the bookshop hoping to find books on this theme. I was especially hoping to buy The Year of Magical Thinking, by Joan Didion. It was unavailable, but instead I left the bookshop with another gem. “Everything Lost, Everything Found, from master storyteller Matthew Hooton, is haunting, tender and poignant, a rich and emotional novel about loss, grief and memory, and how the past never truly leaves us.”
The start of this book is brilliant and shocking and it is proving to be a brilliant read.
Let me share the start of my memoir.
I was sixteen years old before I began to understand why I was so fucked up. Mum had dropped enough hints over the years, preparing me for the day the family secrets were exposed, but I never assembled the pieces. The arrival of a woman claiming to be the sister of my father’s first wife and the mother who adopted me, shattered my assumptions about our family. Her big reveal stupefied me, but it also filled me with a sense of relief. Dad was not my biological father. I shared none of his gene pool. This explained so much.
Not for a second did I doubt Mum was my mother. She had carried me in her womb for nine months and delivered me on the twelfth of April, 1955. We were so alike. She was beautiful, intelligent, witty, perfect in most ways and I loved her unconditionally. Of course, she was my birth mother. But she wasn’t.
It’s time to create.
The holiday is over and I’m home ready to paint and write. Until next time.
So glad you enjoyed Darwin, Steve. I absolutely love it. In fact, one of your Darwin paintings might be right for me!
I also look forward to reading the new book – sounds like it will be a fascinating read!
Cheers, Gail
Hi Gail, I really do love Darwin. It is quite special. Regards, Steve.
What a wonderful, inspiring post that not only shows how you, as a family, dealt with your mother’s death but will also honor her memory by getting together annually. The added addition of photos of Darwin along with the murals showed some amazing art in public places. Thanks for this meaty post along with the recommendation of a book on grief. All of the above is a marvelous tribute to your mother.
Hi Mandy, would you be prepared to be a beta reader for my Good Grief… memoir. It is about half finished and I would value your comments if you are prepared to read it and be brutal. It’s OK to say no. Hugs. Steve
This story you are planning about your grief sounds very compelling. I would love to read it.
Regarding The Year of Magical Thinking, it’s a very good book. I hope you can find it somewhere.
Hi Carina, I’m about half way through Good Grief… and would love to share it with you when it is further progressed.
Hi Steve, how wonderful for you and your sisters to meet in fabulous Darwin to honour and remember your much loved mother. I look forward to reading your book about grief, something we all have to deal with particularly as we age and begin to lose our loved ones . Grief is so painful and not an emotion always associated with death.
Hi Helen, Mum’s death has brought 3 out of 4 of her kids closer together and we cherish our time together, whether it is a face book comment or a holiday together.
I am looking for beta readers for my evolving memoir, Good Grief… Would you be interested in reading it as it evolves. I have half of it finished and con send that to you after another read through. If you would prefer not to do this, I fully understand. Regards, Steve
Wow, the book sounds as though it will be an amazing one. We love Darwin and glad you could catch up with your sisters.
I’m going to start again on my travel memoir while we are away this time for 6months.
Cheers Teresa and see you in September.
Hi Teresa, I hope you have a great 6 months of travelling. I also hope you have time to get stuck into your travel memoir again. Please send me any new chapters, if you would like some gentle feedback. Happy travels. Steve
I don’t care how old we are, losing a parent is different from all other losses. I’m glad you’re making the remaining family a priority with intentional, in-person get-togethers and regular correspondence. The shared experiences of siblings makes those relationships also unlike any others. Your trip together to Darwin looks and sounds fabulous!
Hi Sherry, I certainly agree. My love for my Mum was unlimited, but now that she is gone, siblings are a necessary replacement. Hugs. Steve