One Heck of a Determined Lady

Yesterday, we celebrated the life of my mother, Priscilla, who died on April 15, 2010 after an amazing 23-year battle with breast cancer. Over the past year, I often thought about writing a blog entry about Mom. But what to share? Her zest for life? Her defiance of the odds? How we met the challenges of living halfway around the world from her? The profound impact that she had on our lives? How much we miss her? How truly blessed and grateful I feel that I had an encouraging, enthusiastic, spirited mother? Perhaps because there was so MUCH to say, I chose to write nothing at all.

But yesterday, I realized that, for the purposes of this blog, where I highlight our experiences in Australia, what I needed to do was to celebrate Mom's determined, adventuresome spirit. She was always eagerly embracing new experiences, even if they weren't originally in her life plan. She had never really thought about coming to Australia (although she did have a lifelong dream of snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef, which she got to do on her first visit here to see us in 2004), but when we moved here, she turned much of her traveling energies to experiencing life in Australia.

And so, to celebrate Mom's spirit, I've decided to share some images from her time in Australia. It astonishes and inspires me to recall that she was undergoing active treatment for breast cancer that had spread to her bones and liver during all this time:

Mom and Dad arrive at the Sydney Airport in 2007 after our move. Ah, the victory of surviving the 21-hour flight!

The joy of reunion.

Making an Easter Garden with Oma during our first Easter in Australia.

Mom and Dad's 3rd trip to Sydney in 2008- exploring the museums of Australia's capital, Canberra.

2009- On the Harbour with Mom's sister Martha and her daughter Becca. Mom made sure to see at least one show at the Opera House (which showcases much more than opera) every time she visited.

En route on a 3-day roadtrip down to Victoria in 2009- Pebbly Beach on the coast south of Sydney, where the kangaroos come right up to the beach.

At my mother's cousin's home in Ocean Grange in the Gippsland Lakes Region of Victoria.

Mom and Dad on Ninety-Mile Beach in Victoria

January 2010- Floating in our backyard pool during her last visit with us. She received a blood transfusion so that she could be away from her US treatment for 3 weeks. During this visit, she started suffering the pain that signified that her cancer had finally become too aggressive to manage. But she was determined to make her way to the pool, and enjoyed the freedom of floating with the kids.

Prior to Mom and Dad's 2010 arrival, we had planned a trip to Tasmania (the island state south of the Australian mainland) for all of us. Despite the pain, she insisted we go forward with the trip- ironically, the most ambitious of all her travels here.

The Freycinet Peninsula in eastern Tasmania. Thanks to wheelchair-friendly paths, we were able to enjoy this view together. The kids had a great time taking turns pushing Oma's wheelchair.

Browsing the Salamenca Market in Hobart. Much of the Tasmania trip was spent seeking medical help for Mom's pain and fatigue, but after receiving some positive medical news on this particular morning, she rallied and we had a lovely time wandering.

Mom's last "Australian" experience was a visit to the Chinese Garden in Sydney, an oasis in the middle of a bustling city. I had known Mom would love it because of the joy she found in gardening. We relished the peaceful tranquility after the strains and stressors of the last three weeks. But sadly, the tearoom closed its doors just as our family arrived for afternoon tea. I was thoroughly disappointed that my mother, who loved her tea, missed out.

Over the past year, as I thought about what we might do to mark the anniversary of her death, it dawned on me that we needed to return to the Garden, to wander its peaceful paths and soak in its beauty, remembering the joy it had brought to all of us. To celebrate Mom and her determination, and complete her Australian adventures, we would enjoy a lovely tea in the tearoom.

And so we did.

Peace, Anne