I am fortunate in having two sisters I love dearly. Yes, we have had a few scraps along the way, but generally we get on well despite our differing views. I am the oldest of three and coincidentally, the first of three babies to survive. As such I was spoilt rotten by aunts, uncles, and of course my wonderful parents.
I grew up in an era of girls playing with girl toys and boys with boy toys, so I had a large collection of dolls. When I was 9 years old, Mum came home and showed me her latest doll. It moved and cried and was totally fascinating to me.
It seems after so long, I had a sister. I immediately began to “help” Mum to care for this new arrival, so I had the privilege of naming her. I had been reading the Susan Day stories so of course, I decided Susan was the best name.
My parents went overboard to ensure I knew I was still their little angel (or so they thought). Hence there was never any jealousy.
Rather, they had an issue with trying to get me to let Mum be the Mum. I recall one morning I heard Susan crying upstairs in her cot. Mum was hanging out the washing so I went upstairs, lifted her into the carrycot and slid her down the stairs!!!! Luckily no injuries occurred, but I was told quite firmly not to try that again.
Another year went by and suddenly Mum appeared with another doll. This one screamed louder than the last but was just as much fun. By this time, I was 10 and quite capable of doing more to help. I’m not sure who came up with the idea, but we ended up agreeing to Lynne for her name.
We grew up together and became a very close family. I became the son my father always wanted, at least, that was the family joke. I loved being out in the garage helping Dad. I even got to do some carpentry with him. My sisters were inside learning to cook and do dressmaking with Mum.
Susan and Lynne grew very close. They were able to share experiences such as their first day at school, their first boyfriend, and so on, which, because of the age difference, I didn’t. Despite that we got along well. I’ll always remember, on returning from a 3-year working holiday overseas, hearing the song ‘Welcome Home’ being played on the radio with a message from my two sisters. We hugged and hugged.
I grew up in an era of girls playing with girl toys and boys with boy toys, so I had a large collection of dolls. When I was 9 years old, Mum came home and showed me her latest doll. It moved and cried and was totally fascinating to me.
It seems after so long, I had a sister. I immediately began to “help” Mum to care for this new arrival, so I had the privilege of naming her. I had been reading the Susan Day stories so of course, I decided Susan was the best name.
My parents went overboard to ensure I knew I was still their little angel (or so they thought). Hence there was never any jealousy.
Rather, they had an issue with trying to get me to let Mum be the Mum. I recall one morning I heard Susan crying upstairs in her cot. Mum was hanging out the washing so I went upstairs, lifted her into the carrycot and slid her down the stairs!!!! Luckily no injuries occurred, but I was told quite firmly not to try that again.
Another year went by and suddenly Mum appeared with another doll. This one screamed louder than the last but was just as much fun. By this time, I was 10 and quite capable of doing more to help. I’m not sure who came up with the idea, but we ended up agreeing to Lynne for her name.
We grew up together and became a very close family. I became the son my father always wanted, at least, that was the family joke. I loved being out in the garage helping Dad. I even got to do some carpentry with him. My sisters were inside learning to cook and do dressmaking with Mum.
Susan and Lynne grew very close. They were able to share experiences such as their first day at school, their first boyfriend, and so on, which, because of the age difference, I didn’t. Despite that we got along well. I’ll always remember, on returning from a 3-year working holiday overseas, hearing the song ‘Welcome Home’ being played on the radio with a message from my two sisters. We hugged and hugged.
Both of my sisters became Mums, I did not. They had good careers, one a teacher and the other a nurse. They knew what they wanted.
I was still very undecided and spent my time trying all sorts of different jobs, travelling and having a good time. Eventually I joined the full-time RAAF, then, upon leaving the RAAF, became an OHS Manager.
I have been fortunate to have a wonderful family, a lot of experiences, and a loving husband.
Heather Hartland
March 2023
I was still very undecided and spent my time trying all sorts of different jobs, travelling and having a good time. Eventually I joined the full-time RAAF, then, upon leaving the RAAF, became an OHS Manager.
I have been fortunate to have a wonderful family, a lot of experiences, and a loving husband.
Heather Hartland
March 2023
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