Blog for Sunday 23rd March 2025

Oops! I only got out of bed at just before five o’clock this morning! What a lazy wench I am! Shamara made me aware of my laziness without saying a word, just with a look and a dismissive flick of her tail!

I fed Shamara, not realizing that that would be the last morning I would be doing so, which is why it is SO important for us all to enjoy whatever we do each and every day for you never know when what you take so for granted could be the last time you do something.

I had my Quiet Time, did my Bible Study, then went over the lesson I would teach in Kids Church this morning. but I did that online as I did not have the bag of the printed lesson, plus handcraft items et cetera, as I was locked on the farm (per kind favor of the flood!) and so could not pick that up last Sunday. It was the best I could do in being prepared.

Ken took me across the river on the tractor and then I was away in my little car, off to church in Wauchope. It was so nice to see everyone again and I was greeted with such gladness I really felt missed!

There was only one young boy of about twelve years old in church and I was not sure if he wanted to attend Kids Church as he does not always do so. So, at teatime I asked him if he would like to come and he enthusiastically said, “Definitely!”

So, the three of us – George the guy assigned to help me and Lachlan (the kid) and mwah had a wonderful time together.  I had to wing the creative part of the lesson as the printed handcraft stuff was aimed at three-year old's – the average age of most children in that class normally., but not suitable for a twelve-year old at all. Nevertheless, George, Lachlan and I had great fun, and Lachlan was delighted that he had thrashed George in a game of “That’s Not Fair” which I based on the lesson I had just taught.

On my way home I stopped at the new Richies IGA shop at Timbertown, and was suitably impressed as the shelves were well stocked, several new fridges were installed with lots of new items to tempt one to buy more than you had planned to!

I phoned Ken from Wauchope to let him know I was leaving so that he would know roughly when to pick me up down at the river.

Well, that was the plan, but my darling man went back to sleep so I had to phone him when I was down at the river to come and fetch me! But it gave me time to look at and enjoy my surroundings. It is very beautiful down by the river.

Ken, Paddy and I had lunch and then we all had a rest in the afternoon. Paddy to read for a while, and then work on his laptop, Ken to sleep, and me to crochet for a short while, then to listen to my audio book and brush Shamara who sat alongside me.

Ken finished installing the new toilet cistern and oh how wonderful to have a flushing loo and not have to cart buckets of water any more!

Shamara was not herself today, definitely in pain and not feeling good. In fact, so much so that Paddy asked me if I would like her to go to sleep then. (We had planned for that to happen tomorrow.)

Shoo, what a horrible decision to have to make. Looking at Shamara, I knew I was being terribly selfish by wanting her to live just a little longer, as she was obviously just beside herself in pain and was very, very tired – after all, in two months she would turn seventeen-years old! My head was making the decision but oh my heart was screaming, “No! Not yet!” But I asked Paddy to put her to sleep and I could not have asked for anyone kinder, more aware of how I was feeling, and someone who knew Shamara well and loved her too – than Paddy. Not a nice thing for him to do, but he was willing to do it for me and Shamara.

I really tried very hard not to cry but oh how I will miss Shamara. It was impossible not to mourn her passing. I know that over the next few days in particular I will shed a lot more tears as she was so much part of my life and she will be greatly missed by me.

As soon as Shamara left us, Paddy whipped her tired old body from me and in the dark of the night went down the laneway to bury her among the Cycas plants, and near where he buried Koda a few years ago for us. “Thank you, my son!”

Once back Paddy showered and went to bed as did I. Ken came to bed later but I was already fast asleep.

What lesson did I learn today? To use experience when you do not have the material to rely on. (Talking about winging it in Kids Church today when it came to playing a game to underline the lesson.)

What am I grateful for today? That Shamara is free from any pain.

My saying for today is …