We had only been in Australia a little over 2 weeks and they were so loving the ocean. And besides, the odds of getting attacked by a shark are alot lower than losing your life on the roads, and about the same as being attacked by a bear while hiking in Canada. The boys stay pretty close to the shore and are just a little too young and inexperienced to ride the waves "out the back" (a surf term used to describe the big swells that serious riders patiently wait for, legs dangling, way out past the breakers). These were the waves, only 150 metres off shore, that 19 year old Zac Young was riding on his body board the day the shark took both his legs. A few weeks ago now, but his memory still so fresh in the minds of his brave and couragous mates, boarding with him, who fought off the killer shark and hauled Zac back into shore. He was still conscious when he landed on the sand. He told his friends, 15, 14 and 17, how much he loved them, then took his last breath. Cardiac arrest in the end. To much blood lost, the shock of his ordeal proved fatal.
Blessings and strength to the Young family and the brave survivors of this ordeal.
"We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came…” – John F. Kennedy
The sun rises here at 5:40am in the morning. And there is nothing more moving, more serene than a sunrise over the ocean, so I try to make the trip across the road for it most mornings. Each day displays a different pattern, different light, different energy. Such is the rhythm of our bodies too. This is natures wondrous light show and there is something powerfully spiritual about it.
Katrina and the girls live in Kiama, about one hour south of Sydney. Another beautiful beachside town, the coast hugging rugged, rocky shores and bays. We settled into a cabin by the sea for a few days and watched as our children got to know each other - and we them. They were inseparable. Different genders aside, my sisters 3 gorgeous girls, my nieces, 21, 11 and 6 and Ben and Jordan, bonded instantly. They frittered between the beach, the rocky shore, the playground, the pool and their Ipods. Katrina and I seemed to spend most of our time feeding them, but in the spaces in between we talked, laughed, looked at pictures and reminisced - sisters once again. Thank you dear sister for your warm welcome and our wonderful days in the cabin by the sea. It was an amazing intro to Oz for the boys!
Oh my, send strength....
But until then, we prepare for a "blue" Christmas here (sky and surf) and look forward to our picnic on the beach Christmas day. No hot turkeys, just salads and perhaps a good ol' Aussie Bacon and Egg Pie and some chilled champagne. Feels strange to see shops painting pictures of Santa in the snow on their windows, as the song "White Christmas" plays inside ... then seeing bronzed bodies with surfboards under their arms walk by! But hey ... we'll take it!
Next Post: The fun, excitement and wildlife of the Australia's Playground - the beautiful Gold Coast!