Hey you, Happy March 2025! I’ve just returned from the park with my 13-month-old grandson, Oscar. Although the sky is an eerie white colour and the wind is picking up, lots of mums, dads and kids are there making the most of the last opportunity to enjoy the outdoors whilst they still can. You see, we are waiting for Cyclone Alfred to hit Brisbane. Perhaps you are also waiting for this cyclone, which was going to hit tonight, then Friday at 3 am and now the weather bureau says Saturday morning! I have this nervous anxiety, not unlike what I feel just before Christmas, only now I’m not celebrating Christmas on the 25th – it’s going to be two days later! It’s so weird – this nervous anticipation where I stock up on all the essential (and non-essential) items for a phenomenon which will probably be over in 48 hours. I’m wondering how you are feeling. A family member told me they just feel slightly ‘off’ but it is hard to explain. |
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It makes me reflect on the fact that for most of our human history, the only indication that something ominous was about to happen was humans’ observation of the animals around them and their behaviour. If they started heading for the hills, then perhaps we should too! Imagine just going about your daily life, la-dee-dah, and then suddenly, BOOM! You are in the middle of a natural disaster. Even as little as 51 years ago, when I was 12 in 1974, Cyclone Tracy struck Darwin on Christmas Eve without warning. Tracy was rated category 4 and wind gauges registered speeds of 217 kilometres per hour. How terrifying! And what a time to strike. |
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I have to sing the praises of all our state and local politicians and community services who have been fabulous in getting us prepared for this category 2 cyclone. My husband and I rocked up twice to pick up sand bags to protect our back doors, only to be greeted with car queues that were up to one kilometre long and taking 6 hours. The price people were asking on Airtasker and Facebook to collect sandbags on our behalf was ridiculous, so I reached out to my local member. Lo and behold, I had 10 sandbags delivered to my property yesterday afternoon. Happy days! I knew I did the right thing voting for you Elizabeth.  Since schools are closed today and tomorrow, I have more time on my hands than expected. Hence this overdue email to you! Lately, I’ve discovered the wisdom of non-violent communication with Marshall Rosenberg – so insightful, as well as Mel Robbins audiobook, The Let Them Theory. |
Both these systems of thinking and communicating are super useful as I continue to navigate the world of my language, my behaviour and my relationships as well as their language, their behaviour and their relationships. At times it feels like a mine field, but hey, I’m up for it, especially if it eases my suffering. As we batten down the hatches, take care of you and yours. May there be minimal to no damage to yourself, your loved ones (including your animals) or your property and may Alfred (who sounds like an English butler) be as polite, invisible and restrained as his name indicates. Come in Alfred. We’re ready for you now. Best wishes, Jen 😊 |
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