On this day 12 months ago we were waving goodbye to our family and friends and leaving Melbourne for our sea change adventure. Our journey took us to a beautiful coastal town on the mid north coast of New South Wales, where we now call a little cottage by the sea HOME. We have fully embraced our new coastal lifestyle; the perfect weather, beautiful beaches and the sense of country community. In a perfect world this is where I’d say – The End – but rarely is life perfect and we’ve had a few bumps in the road along the way.
The first one was the bad news we received from home just two weeks after we left on our adventure… our much loved brother-in-law had been diagnosed with Leukaemia. Suddenly, we realised just how far away from home and our loved ones our sea change adventure had taken us.
Over the next 11 months Ron filled us with admiration as he fought the battle he was so determined to win. Then six weeks ago he received the devastating news that nothing else could be done and he needed to say his farewells. He approached this final mission with the same dignity and grace that he had lived his entire life and fought his disease.
Sadly, on Monday 16th August at 3 am Ron slipped away leaving behind his devoted and adoring wife and 3 daughters.
Ron was a true gentleman and one of the most genuine blokes you’d ever meet. Always smiling, he was generous, kind and loving. He loved everyone and in return was loved by everyone. This was quite evident by the many hundreds of people that attended his funeral this week.
Our hearts are breaking that he has left us too soon but we are the better for having known and loved him. His early death reaffirms my belief that we should all live for now. There’s no point planning for tomorrow if we haven’t fully lived today. I’m so pleased that as a family we decided to ‘follow our dreams’… yes it has taken us away from our home, our family and friends, but it has allowed us to truly live the life we want to live. Our journey will continue.
It’s been hard to concentrate on work and art this past 6 weeks but feel that I must now move forward. I’ll re-open the website in the coming days, catch up with emails, orders and blogs. Finally, a big thank you to those who have supported us during these difficult days – it was comforting to know you were thinking of us.
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne