FLORENCE, ITALY
It only seems like yesterday on that rainy wintry day that Robyn and George drove me to the Regional Hospital, in anticipation of the most important day of my life so far.
I'd spent the day cleaning and going absolutely berserk starting the washing machine, sweeping, vacumming, cleaning and doing everything at once! Nesting at the last minute? Honestly, Robyn thought i was going mad i think!
The roads had been closed to the hospital on the main route, so we went the backstreets. The rain had flooded the town. On this day, the day my son was to be born!
It was cold and lonely in the hospital after i'd been left there to ride out the waves that were soon to bring me joy...i wasn't expected to become a mother till the morning.
But, not to be. At 12.58am....there he was, looking at me for a prolonged time...searching my face...with a sense of complete knowning. I fell in love at first sight. He was absolutely beautiful. red, scrawny, it didn't matter. I saw only love. I'd brought this beautiful italian baby into the world.....
What an active, bright child he was. A smile that radiated shined on his face. Kind and so popular with everyone. A lovable larrikin. And generous to a fault. He threw himself into everything he set his mind to, whether it was school, music or sport or just being a friend.
He was a talented boy, achieving the top accolates in everything he put his heart into. At one stage i remember, when he was 12/13, he won the academic achievement prize at his school, the clarinet prize for woodwind, piano prizes as well as being asked to do state trials for athletics, hockey, baseball and surf club. He was also in the regional state u/17 badminton team! He was amazing! Trophies adorned his whole room! I couldn't keep up with him.
He was, and is, a wonderful brother to his sister Elise. So often he protected her and together they were always tightly woven. And went through so much together, always there for each other. I am always grateful for this close bond between the two of them.
With all his fervour, for life and the things he touched...his first love was always the ocean and fishing. It was in his blood. It IS in his blood. And will, i imagine, always be. I can remember him swinging off the bow of his Dad's boat so vividly. Even at two. He always wanted to go out on the boat or to the carrier boat, or to the moorings to fish, or to the Islands. His counted down the days till he could go crayfishing. It was his love.
He declined his university offer when he completed his very successful schooling and headed out to the sea.
He left friends he made in the city, where he went to school for his final 3 years and headed back to the town he never forgot and always wanted to be.
Deckying for his Dad he gained a wealth of experience. He also went down to the Antarctic to work on the Patagonian Tooth fishing boats there...what an adventure that was.
He's had a varied life, has travelled and loved and lost. And had tragedies and thrills. And been through so much. And handled things with clarity and perseverance. The boy that was so active and gifted in so many areas is now using those gifts in an area that truly becomes him. He is now skippering a 60 foot cray boat and is in his element with a wonderful girlfriend.
I am so proud of you. You are an inspiration and have an exciting future.
I acknowlege you as a man, a man who knows where he is headed..and is heading there with grace. You have really stepped up to the plate and become a man we can all be proud of.
To Sam, who will always be My Beautiful Boy, I say HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
I love you with all my heart.
Love Mum xxx
