Inge - An inspiration...

Yesterday I attended my dear friends' mother and mother-in-law's funeral. The first time I met Inge, about 27 years ago,I was struck by her warmth, generosity and strength. She was such a genunine woman. When she asked how you were, she truly wanted to hear the answer. 
As I grew to know her better and witness her in action as a mother, mother-in-law and grandmother, I discovered bits and pieces about her past, but none of these she ever mentioned herself. Her family shared her stories. Some of the stories were hysterical. Others broke my heart. Yet, I can't remember her ever complaining, though I know she would have. She was, after all, human. She never even hinted at the pain she had endured.
Inge and her husband fled their homes during World War II and then their country. Displaced, they arrived in Australia with very little, if anything. Inge had tremendous empathy for refugees.
Through hard work and love, she and her husband created a loving home for their family, and yesterday that love shone through. Of course there were tears, but there was incredible love, warmth and gratitude for this inspirational woman. Knowing Inge, albeit only a little, I understand why.
She wasn't a large woman, but her heart was huge and the impact she had on those she met simply enormous.
I shall miss hearing the stories about Inge's latest struesel or knowing that she will be fussing over my godson and his gorgeous sister when they need it, but, like them, I am all the richer for having met Inge.
Our almond tree burst into blossom, yesterday.

St Brendan's Dunnstown and term three.

Friday I travelled to St Brendan's Dunnstown, about ten west of Ballarat, and spent the day working with students from Dunnstown, Gordon, Springbank and Clarke's Hill. Even though the weather was bleak, the kids more than made up for it.
I had a sensational day - caught up with old friends from teachers' college, met Ally the friendly kelpie and worked with fun and switched on people. Plus - lunch! Yum.

Three of the girls, Jade, Tara and Gabby, presented me with a lovely card they'd made. The pictures are of the front and inside. Thanks girls, it's going on my office wall.

Term Three is always a big one, and this year is no different.
August 11 - Reading session, Ballarat
Book Week - St Roberts, Newtown, Westbourne Grammar, Armadale Primary, Montmorency Secondary College and Mater Christi College.
August 29 - Sept 3 - Melbourne Writer's Festival, Writers on the Road (Wangaratta, Kyneton, Geelong and Frankston)
September 8 - Timboon P -12
Sept 13 - Mercy Regional College, Camperdown
Sept 20 -21 - Christian College, Geelong.
Plus...the Online Literature Festival.
That should keep me out of mischief for a while!
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Harry Potter - 'tis done.

Armed with a sleeping bag and sustenance, my daughter went to the midnight screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2. She is a massive Harry Potter fan, having read the books about 'twenty times each' she thinks, and watched each of the movies about the same number of times. She came home from the film both sad and thrilled. Sad that the story had come to an end, but thrilled with the final film.

So, last night I trundled off to watch it myself, filled with a little trepidation for two reasons. One, I had cried buckets when I read the book (the Snape bit and when Harry is about to enter the Forbidden Forest) - how was I going to cope with the film? And  two, I was worried the film wouldn't live up to all the hype.
I needn't have worried. I loved the film and yes, I cried at the same spots  (I'm being cryptic just in case you've managed to avoid all spoilers).
After the movie, I've reflected on not only the film makers', actors' etc skill, but again at the imagination and talent of JK Rowling. What an amazing story filled with tremendous characters.
Harry Potter and co will stay with us for generations not only in film, but most importantly, in books.
My daughter is going to make her kids read the whole series - before they see the DVDs. Children are a long way off in her grand plan, so I'm going to hold her to that assertion!