Home

In case you hadn't heard, I left home the other day.
Not in any real dramatic sense, I just sort of took the next step and found myself out my front door, down the street, followed a few roads and found myself in Sydney.
It was sudden and sneaky. It crept up on me slowly, hidden behind that inscrutable screen, the future - the great canvas of our petty little plans and expectations in childish scrawls that is torn away, again and again.
So I took a step, (you could say a number of rather big steps for man, and a piffling little waddle for mankind) and found myself miles away. I don't even know in which direction.
I really don't know very much at all. (If there's one thing knowledge has taught me, it's that)
You'll often hear me saying I'll be going here and doing that, but very rarely do. I spin grand schemes and make great plans and then God just laughs and takes my hand, leaving them to blow away; sorry little farts flitting in the wind. Whoo Hoooooooooo! (I find I relate quite closely to my farts)

How good. Now, where was I going with this...
A lot's happened, and you get swept up and swashed right along in it all. It's all very new and exciting.


But today's my Mum's birthday, and for the first time in my life I forgot about it.

For the first time in my life I'm not going to be there with my Mum to give her a present, or go out with the family for dinner, and then drink some good wine at home on the deck playing fetch with our dog (if he permits it). I'm not going to be able to smile at her, laugh with her. I can't hug and kiss her today.
And I don't quite know just exactly what that all means.

I'm told home is where the heart is, and the heart holds close to its treasure.
So here's to the woman I love, who once held my heart within her, then tiny in her arms, and even now (older, stinkier, hairier, stupider) still does somehow.
Here's to the living icon of gentleness, joy, untiring patience, and strong selfless love who I still have so so much to learn from. Who's own heart is a heart for others.
Who's still the funniest
still the kindest
still the most beautiful woman on this earth. (You'd soon see the folly of telling me otherwise)
Ah! I miss her.

Here's to the Mum this son doesn't deserve.

Happy Birthday!
Please everyone, wish her well.