Leap Into Spring! Photo Challenge: Sunshine/Light

It's Autumn in Australia but that doesn't matter because where I live, the climate is tropical, there are always blooms and almost always sunshine! In fact, the state of Queensland is known as "The Sunshine State".
Here are some images from our trip out west to the Somerset Region last week.

Joining with Alicia of Project Alicia, Rebecca of Bumbles & Light and Kristi of Live and Love Out Loud

Friday on my mind

On Wednesday afternoon, we went for a drive out west to the Somerset Region for some country photography; particularly around Lake Wivenhoe. The weather was perfect. It's such a beautifully serene & scenic area, which meant almost 300 images to download when I arrived home. Here's just a selection to enjoy...

Linking with:
           

Lost...

This last weekend (31st March) marked 12 months since I have seen my oldest son, Daniel. This has been the longest time period that he has cut our entire family off, in the 4+ years he has been with his partner. Wednesday (4th April) was also his 23rd birthday, the second birthday in a row that we have had no contact with him.

So, here is my birthday message to my son (as I posted on Facebook):

"Happy 23rd Birthday to my oldest son Dan Denehy.
23 years ago, in country Grafton NSW, I was blessed with my second child & my first son. A very sick baby developed into a strong, loving, caring young person with a wonderful sense of fun & a love for life; gifted academically, musically, artistically & as an athlete. Dan, I love you more than words & miss you more each day. xxoo"

It doesn't get any easier as time goes by, it becomes increasingly difficult. It's like grieving the loss of a loved one, even though they haven't actually died.

Perhaps that's why it gets harder as time passes not easier as it should... because it's actually not a physical death, it's the loss/death of a relationship, hopes & dreams with one of the people I love the most. It's like walking in a never ending wilderness... never knowing if or when it will end.



It's like living your life with part of it missing, and nothing can fill that empty space. It's knowing he's out there, somewhere, possibly living very close by. And knowing that his real heart loves & values his family, but the silence is because he "had to make a choice" between them and us...

So on this Easter Sunday, when I should be celebrating life as I always have, with all my family together, there's an unshakable sadness deep in my heart and I am longing for life to be breathed into the relationship I've lost...

Project 366 Rewind {Week 13}

It is said; "When it rains, it pours." And week 13 would suggest this saying is spot on!! Still unpacking & organising... and then a rescue mission with 2 of my step-daughters. A HUGE week...

Day 85 - Textured Rose. More practice with textures this week. This rose is from my Mum's beautiful garden.

Day 86 - Simple but beautiful. I think this is a lily of some kind, taken at the local nursery.

Day 87 - My Name. I am participating in an Instagram challenge called  #marchphotoaday.

Day 88 - Rainbow Lorikeet at Shorncliffe.

Day 89 - Afternoon at Shorncliffe Pier.

Day 90 - Sunset over the Bay.

Day 91 - Sunset over Moreton Bay

More Project 366 Rewind here:  

 

This or That & Texture Thursday: Koalas

I think Australia must have some of the cutest native animals in the world. What's not to love about a Koala??!!

To see more This or That Thursday & Texture Thursday, click the buttons below:

     

A Trip Out West Never Disappoints...

More of Lake Wivenhoe to come when I have time for words (and it's not 1am!!)


           

     

World Bird Wednesday: Blue-faced Honeyeater

Moving house is such a huge task.... and having to share a USB mobile internet connection (between all the members of the household) until the technical problem is sorted at the exchange is a huge pain! (but our highschool & University students come first)

One of the nicest parts of living in this new townhouse complex is the gardens... a daytime playground for the local Rainbow Lorikeet colony.
Images below taken in a Grevillea in our backyard.

We also have numerous Noisy Miners.

And I discovered a bird I have never seen before, in the community gardens of the townhouse complex; a Blue-faced Honeyeater.

I'm happy to be back blogging though and sharing with WBW for the first time in a month!! And also linking up with Our World Tuesday for the first time.
Click the buttons below for some wonderful bird shots & some insight into the world of other bloggers.