I was born in Adelaide in 1938 and, by the time I was a toddler, the shadow of Australia’s involvement in World War II hung over everyday life. I recall dark blinds drawn at night, search lights in the sky and air raid shelters being installed in people’s back gardens. When I was five, my mother became pregnant with her second child. I still remember the day that she went i....
Some people have their whole life mapped out in front of them with goals and vision statements and five-year plans, but I am not one of those people. I grew up in a home that was defined by change, turmoil and instability. From as early as I can remember, my only real dream was to have what looked like a ‘normal’ life and keep the peace. My parent’s relationship was alway....
Two years into our marriage I fell pregnant. My husband Robbert and I were a little shocked because I was still finishing up my university degree and we didn’t ‘plan’ for a pregnancy. But within days we got really excited about the idea of having a baby together. We started to dream about what he or she would look like, what we would be like as parents and sta....
Names are powerful. They define us, locate us and identify us. But what if you don’t know your name? Growing up I had no idea who my father was. I didn’t know anything about him so the only last name I had to use was either borrowed from my siblings or whomever my mom was married to at the time. My life was full of chaos and uncertainty and my mother’s drug and alcohol ad....
I’m a homebody; also known as an introvert. I love having a place where I feel safe, comfortable and accepted. Growing up my family home provided that sanctuary. My parents were the perfect combination of loving, good fun and a little crazy. They raised my brother and I with Christian values and were gracious with us when we didn’t quite act accordingly. My family was far f....
