Gold Coast, Australia
New stories update on 29 May 2010
New stories update on 29 May 2010
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A Note for You from Graham and BevAbout Sam live a life with no regrets
David's Story the life of a wealthy and famous man
Leave your Mark our enduring worth
Living in the Present finding happiness each day with a promise of the future Living Life connecting with life and seeing the magic around us
NEW Love in Motion love is a verb - an action
Love is Stronger than death how love is timeless and forever
Noel's Story - an Aussie Digger life works when we work it
About Sam
...live a life with no regrets
We moved in next door to Sam, our new neighbour, at a time we were both missing a Father figure to talk to and share our lives with. He was a “gentle” man and now happily retired.
He told of owning a concreting business and work achievements in his country town - lots of useful things like large water drains and foundations for buildings. He spoke with a soft voice of his wife dying of cancer a few years before, that she was a private person and only wanted his help with her daily needs and how he learned to cook, clean and wash. It was hard but was what she needed so he nursed her through it to the end. His actions all unspoken words of love to her every day.
He sold their house when his wife passed on and bought the house next door. Lucky us.
He enjoyed cooking and loved talking of his latest adventure which he planned in great detail. Once he dropped carefully roasted lamb chops on the floor and was annoyed at the mistake. I advised him: Don't be upset. Did they still taste good? ...er ... well ... yes, they did!
Sam hung in with me when I went big on protein foods. With simple but discerning taste, if he liked it then it was a good bet. I experimented with protein “muffins” which we ate in silence. No words were necessary! He didn't quit on me as I uncovered a truth "everything in moderation" (including protein).
He loved being in his garden - sort of wildernessy - with plants carefully positioned which he lavished with water and passionate weeding. While we chatted one day - sight unseen - over the fence (sometimes I stood on a wobbly, life-threatening chair and popped my head over), he asked if I liked violets. I said: YES. A hand came over the fence with a gift of large, deep purpley, fragrant violets encircled by curved green leaves - favourites I'd collected as a child and a wonderful memory. Thanks Sam.
Graham saw Sam usually once a week to make sure he was okay as he had seen burglars trying to get into Sam's backyard a couple of times. They were good friends and enjoyed talking together and bouncing ideas around and Graham relied on Sam as a sounding board. Sam encouraged Graham and was always positive - they had a lot in common. Sam told Graham what a good husband he was, a hard worker, a good businessman and good-hearted. He was a voice of strength and reason in Graham’s life. Everyone would benefit from being "Sam" to someone or knowing a “Sam”.
Sam was 87 and mostly in good health but had problems with his leg which was burnt early in life. One day he phoned in a panic about going to hospital. I found him in a state. He'd a list of things to do before going to hospital next morning. I rang the hospital nurse and went through the list. It was simple but no-one (including the nurse) could follow such complicated instructions - an unnecessary stress. I advised Sam the instructions were stupid - not him. We helped each other.
He had one bad (kind) habit. He weeded our garden when we weren’t around. Weeds weren't a priority for us but Sam was a garden go-getter, hated weeds so ours were quite irresistible. After his sneak weeding trips we thanked him and offered food. He was confused that Graham watered the garden once a month yet the plants grew twice as fast. Graham’s advice was better to make shrubs self-sufficient and force them to grow deep roots to find water so they fight to survive. A useful life skill in going after what we want when I think about it.
The only argument I had with Sam was when he had to rest his legs and not walk around. Understandably, he got bored and started sneaking over weeding our garden. I found out and told him to stop but he wouldn’t take no for an answer so we had a STARE OFF! He muttered I was stubborn girl and it must run in my family. I replied: It takes one to know one so I'd better not see any weeds missing! He admitted defeat and we were pals again.
One regret was when he was young and wanted to marry his girlfriend but thought she deserved better. He went away working and when he returned she was engaged and then married. Her husband had now passed on and Sam dearly loved his wife and they had a great life together but he wanted to see his first love again. I said: We've only one shot at life so what have you got to lose? One day, he followed his heart and phoned his old girlfriend. He flew to Melbourne and spent the weekend helping her in the garden and met her children. He had a wonderful time and put old regrets to rest. She had her own life and was happy with family around her. He phoned her at times to talk but there was a peace within now.
We were thankful Sam came into our lives with perfect timing as a 'Dad' and friend to us and he responded, with tears in his eyes, saying he felt like he had found another son and daughter. Family isn't always about bloodlines. Sometimes it's kindred spirits - inexplicably linked.
After a couple of years we had to move house but phoned Sam to catch up and went to see him. Later, our mower-man who also looked after Sam’s lawns told us how Sam had gone to bed and didn't wake up next morning passing on peacefully.
In the end, he lived life without regret. It was fitting “peace” was the watchword as he left this world. We raise our glass to you Sam: Here’s to our ‘Dad’. We'll love you always. See you at the top.
Pointsianna in flower ... Sam loved being in his garden
With one good thought I can
change my mind
With one bad
thought I can
change my mind
...I can choose...
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Email contact address is:
bev@aworkinprogress.com.au.
© 2010 Copyright www.aworkinprogress.com.au. Stories by Bev D. Photos by Graham D. Website by Bev D. The Authors, Graham and Bev, assert the moral right to be identified as the Authors of this work. No part of this website may be reproduced and published without the prior written permission of the Authors. All rights reserved.
© 2010 Copyright www.aworkinprogress.com.au. Stories by Bev D. Photos by Graham D. Website by Bev D. The Authors, Graham and Bev, assert the moral right to be identified as the Authors of this work. No part of this website may be reproduced and published without the prior written permission of the Authors. All rights reserved.