With often quirky interest areas chosen as Hard Quiz inspired ‘expert subjects’, followed by stories including being visited by ‘angels’, ‘trampoline whisperers’ or the exuberance of exiled Chilean musicians, our November meeting was a most engaging celebration of our diversity.
Nearing Christmas, it felt significant that four of our memoirs suggested visitations by ‘angels’. The unexpected care and professionalism of Jess, provided to Carmyl after a significant fall on the path from a U3A meeting to her home, was close to miraculous. For Ray and his wife Bernadette, unexpected grace was gifted in Sam who became their personal tour guide during a visit to Sydney. Julie, a chaplain at Royal Melbourne offered Heather W comfort and encouragement after a near death event which has become life changing. Graham’s chance meeting with a young man in distress found him offering prayers of gratitude.
During our meeting we learned from Lou about the Australorps, the only Australian chicken breed, and how the possession of a chicken toe-punch resulted being handcuffed in Dubai airport. We learned from David about the skill and entrepreneurism of a ‘trampoline whisperer’. Phil shared with us his enthusiasm for the year ahead after the satisfactions of a year of family history research and memoir writing. Barry recounted the joy in the birth of his first grandson as the O’Connor family continued to expand but also, came a realization that the O’Connor family name may disappear into history.
James recounted further his journey from Melbourne to Benalla as he and his wife began their ‘down-sizing’. Later he narrated how a journey over the Bonnie Doon Bridge triggered memories of his early life in New Zealand, a land of lakes and rivers, of personal survival skills and trout cooked on an open fire. Jill celebrated with us, ‘the happiest uninterrupted period in my life’ when she and her sister Jan explored the south of England earlier this year, finding compatibility and comfort as they adventured together.
Earlier in our meeting, Heather H engaged us with the personal significance of the prime number 3 (and 9) in her life. She near book-ended our session with three books triggering in her ‘warm and happy feelings of a wonderful childhood’.
Nearing Christmas, it felt significant that four of our memoirs suggested visitations by ‘angels’. The unexpected care and professionalism of Jess, provided to Carmyl after a significant fall on the path from a U3A meeting to her home, was close to miraculous. For Ray and his wife Bernadette, unexpected grace was gifted in Sam who became their personal tour guide during a visit to Sydney. Julie, a chaplain at Royal Melbourne offered Heather W comfort and encouragement after a near death event which has become life changing. Graham’s chance meeting with a young man in distress found him offering prayers of gratitude.
During our meeting we learned from Lou about the Australorps, the only Australian chicken breed, and how the possession of a chicken toe-punch resulted being handcuffed in Dubai airport. We learned from David about the skill and entrepreneurism of a ‘trampoline whisperer’. Phil shared with us his enthusiasm for the year ahead after the satisfactions of a year of family history research and memoir writing. Barry recounted the joy in the birth of his first grandson as the O’Connor family continued to expand but also, came a realization that the O’Connor family name may disappear into history.
James recounted further his journey from Melbourne to Benalla as he and his wife began their ‘down-sizing’. Later he narrated how a journey over the Bonnie Doon Bridge triggered memories of his early life in New Zealand, a land of lakes and rivers, of personal survival skills and trout cooked on an open fire. Jill celebrated with us, ‘the happiest uninterrupted period in my life’ when she and her sister Jan explored the south of England earlier this year, finding compatibility and comfort as they adventured together.
Earlier in our meeting, Heather H engaged us with the personal significance of the prime number 3 (and 9) in her life. She near book-ended our session with three books triggering in her ‘warm and happy feelings of a wonderful childhood’.
Finally, Bev intrigued us with triggered reflections on her introduction to the music of Chilean exiles while she was teaching English in Madrid at La Casa Inglesa almost fifty years ago, an interest which has continued throughout her life.
Thank you, Bev, for a most engaging, entertaining, educative and energizing year with ‘As Time Goes By’.
Graham Jensen
Thank you, Bev, for a most engaging, entertaining, educative and energizing year with ‘As Time Goes By’.
Graham Jensen
