Ambiguity is the hardest word

The garden, today
 

Hello blogging friends! I thought I would return to this space much sooner than now, but the last six months have seen some exceptional times. Not just because of the various shutdowns, as the world decides how to deal with a pandemic, - but other things have emerged in our lives, which required some decision making of our own. I'm still in the throws of that process, but will do my best to explain.

My favourite philosopher, Socrates, said two things which are applicable to these times. "The only true wisdom is knowing you know nothing", and, "Know thyself." It sounds like a contradiction at first, but ultimately means wisdom is the pursuit of knowledge, but you have to start with yourself.

New acquisitions

 

What I saw coming down the pipeline, this year, was our daughter graduating high school. Which meant organising graduation dinners, formal clothes shopping, job interviews, break-up parties, and finally a new car. Decent price. Good condition. Now we're in the process of driving lessons for a manual license.

As the money poured out of the bank account, I kept wondering how this was even possible? Actually, that's not entirely true. The savings we put aside, made it possible. But there was a point I began to wonder, will this spending trend, ever end? Will I have to dip into the home loan? Will I have to seek employment, and have both of us scrounging for time to maintain the property? These are not insurmountable challenges, but it was a worrying time nonetheless.    

David's parents ~

they met at a dance, and married shortly after

Then something devastating happened. David lost his mother, at the end of October. His only remaining parent. We saw it coming down the pipeline, this year too. So made special trips to Brisbane, to visit when we could. David's older siblings, made sure she didn't have to go into a nursing home, by taking her into their respective homes. The blessing is that she died, peacefully at home, with family. Just the way she wanted to. And the lock-downs lifted in Queensland, so her family could all gather for her funeral.

David now has to travel to Brisbane every fortnight, to help clear-out a lifetime of their family memories, in his mother's house. They do what needs to be done, but it's dismantling something very meaningful to them. It's the house they lived in the longest, and experienced many firsts. David came to live there, when he was only 4 years old. The same age, our daughter moved into our house, at Gully Grove. 

It's hard to believe, this Easter, we'll have lived here, 14 years already. 

 

More storm clouds on the horizon ~ 

the garden loves it

So as we prepare to sell his mother's home, before next October, with regular trips to Brisbane - we'll be running the gauntlet in other aspects of our lives too. Like our daughter's 18th, is in the first-half of next year. Then there's the meaningful business of seeing she launches successfully, in whatever capacity she can earn money. Finally, there is one more piece of the complicated puzzle, I've debated whether to share with you. It's relevant though. 

David wants to work with some of his siblings, to buy shares from the remaining ones - to keep the family home in the family. We're talking enormous amounts of money, for a gabled house on a quarter acre block, in Brisbane - which also needs necessary renovations. We'd have to take on a substantial debt burden, which means selling Gully Grove, and all that entails.

I'm not suggesting that's going to happen. I'd much rather accept the gift of his hard-working parents, to liberate ourselves from our own mortgage. Rather than take on a debt to acquire, part of what they already paid off. But it's on the cards for discussion, as I know it's meaningful to David to investigate at least.

My favourite Frangipani ~

 propagations, now in bloom

As lock-down comes to an end in our country, and people start planning for more certainty - ours will be somewhat unknown, until next October. Meanwhile I'm still in the garden, taking what certainty I can from propagating. Somehow watching plants grow, and knowing their success (and sometimes failures) fills in the blanks, of what might be coming down the pipeline next. As long as I continue engaging in what I have, that's the best I can contribute - and it's a blessing.   

When I set time aside, I look forward to sharing about the ever-evolving garden, here. As there is always more to tell! I needed to start with this post though, to better, "know thyself". I didn't want to become cryptic with you guys, running everything I say through a filter of ambiguity. My life is ambiguous enough at present. That's just the plain and simple truth. But it doesn't mean the journey has stopped, altogether. I'm just growing in the unpredictable elements, like my plants.

I hope the weather has been kind to your garden, and no matter what you're facing at present, you continue to grow as well. Please have a safe and happy, holiday season, with whomever you're fortunate to spend it with. Many blessings, from our family, to yours.