Saturday, October 01, 2011

THIS SATURDAY I'M GRATEFUL FOR... MY OTHER LIFE.


I have two lives. The first life you know lots about: the work-at-home mum of two energetic lads who lives in the burbs of Melbourne, Australia. She adores her family, dressing up, shopping her wardrobe, baking and discovering new playgrounds.


The other life, which is rarely shown here on my blog, are the things I'm truly passionate about. Like the Indigeneous people of Australia. Which is why the past two days we've been travelling to the Western Desert in Western Australia.

To visit an Indigenous community near Meekatharra.


You see, my husband is the national director for Indigenous ministries for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. And it's my ministry too. Now we have two little extra airfares (ie. the lads), I don't visit with him like I use to, but this weekend we couldn't miss.


You see, this place is special. Not only because I celebrated both my 30th and 40th (yesterday) here, but because it's jam-packed full of amazing memories.

It's a place called Karalundi Aboriginal Education Community. It's an oasis in the desert. This community is based around a boarding school, so there are lots of kids, a caravan park, cafe, mud brick housing, a community store, a farm, an underwater aquefa. It's a dry community (no drugs, alcohol or smoking is allowed here), and it's won WA's tidy town two years' running.

My husband worked here for almost seven years, and I worked here almost three. I'll confess it was the hardest and most incredible thing I've ever had the privilege to experience. When I decided to leave my Sydney job in Public Relations to live in the desert, my friends laughed.

Seriously.

They said, there was no way I could do this.

But I did. And even cried when we left, because I was going to miss it all so much. 


So this week, I'm grateful for:
  1. The hard times. I've never been called a F*cking White C#%t so many times in my life, never worked such long hours, had endless knocks on my door at all hours in the morning, never been more homesick, or disliked the person I became at times when living here.
  2. The good times. Reading bedtime stories to homesick students in our spare room double bed*, singing with kids who sang as loud as they could (out of tune) with all their heart, the space in conversations, the storytelling, all the cuddles, and "Miss, can I sit on your lap?", making many life-long friendships.
  3. The memories. The long drive from Perth (eight hours). The wildflowers in spring. The many kangaroos and emus that 'cross the road'. The roadhouses. Reconnecting with people you haven't seen for years. Always knowing two or three people in each town along the way. Having it all feel like it was yesterday when we saw each other last.
  4. The things I learnt. Life is too short not to sit down and connect with people. Lots of families sitting down on the lawn enjoying the sunshine/shade, watching children playing nearby. I remember often being too busy to sit down, but often thinking that I had it all wrong. Turns out I learnt a lot more than what I thought I would.
What are you grateful for? Pop over to the lovely Jody @ Lemon Rhodes who is hosting this week's linky!

* The first photo is of one of the young boys who slept in our spare bed because he was homesick, and here he is, now a Dad. We were so thrilled to bump into him at the Meekatharra service station and meet his partner (also named Kim) and his new little girl!

26 comments:

  1. What a fabulous thing to be grateful for! It sounds like an inspiring time in your life.

    :) Hazel
    hazellovesdesign.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm so pleased that I stopped by to discover about your other life! It sounds important, exciting and inspiring, and what a great thing to share with your kids!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a fantastic story! Has given me goose bumps! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Firstly Happy Birthday. Congratulation you are a fantastic role model and I hope your birthday was fabulous.

    Secondly you live the most amazing life. Thanks for sharing it with us.

    My Aunt and Uncle belong to your church in Darwin...maybe you know them being a Darwin girl.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Still can't believe you're 40!

    Thank you for sharing that story, I love reading about the wonderful things people have done to support others, I applaud anyone who had the determination, courage, and strength to help others in that way. Good on you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ahhh my cousin Georgia works with indigenous youth in WA. You have probably read my blog posts about her. She adores her job!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Well now you are even more awesome than I thought before!! Yay you and MR you. That is wonderful stuff you are doing there. Such hard work - but so rewarding I'm sure. Thanks for sharing this other side of your life. I admire you greatly :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow. Truly amazing work - well done to you and hubby.

    thanks for sharing, can't wait to hear more about this when we meet up!

    ReplyDelete
  9. awwww shucks Kymmie....that is so deep and meaningful for a Saturday morning, but I think you are just an amazing soul and no wonder you connected with such an amazing community. Enjoy your time sharing stories and re-living those times xx

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is probably my most favorite post from you. I've read some of your old posts and somehow I've worked it out that you have that "other life" helping others but it is only now that everything's spelled out for me. Hats of to you and your husband.

    ReplyDelete
  11. That is really amazing work Kymmie. Glad you shared this with us. I think you are wonderful. x

    ReplyDelete
  12. I think it's wonderful you made the decision to work there in the first place, and I think it's awesome you're showing your boys what life is like for outback people. And that they can grow up and help make it better.
    I wondered why your hubby sung Jandamarra on your YouTube channel, but now I see the connection. What an amazing family you have Kym. x

    ReplyDelete
  13. Happy Birthday Kym! The story your shared is an addition to so many reasons why I admire you. So inspiring it makes me mull over how I'm living my life.

    ReplyDelete
  14. you are amazing Kym! what a great experience for you to go back together as a family. Happy birthday, i hope your having a great weekend. xx

    ReplyDelete
  15. I've only just discovered your blog, and WOW. You are the epitome of selflessness. What an inspiration - thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  16. amazing but then i wouldn't expect anything less of you!!

    i hope my fellow west aussies are treating you well and that you have safe travels home.

    ~x~

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh you are in the neighbourhood :)

    Sounds like a very rewarding experience and one that you now can share with your two boys. I think both you and your hubby are amazing!!

    x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Happy Birthday for yesterday! What a special time it sounds like u are having. So great that you could share it with your boys too.

    ReplyDelete
  19. awesome :) glad to have this to read this saturday

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wow! Sounds like a wonderful experience for your children too.

    Happy birthday X

    ReplyDelete
  21. What an awesome post. What a privelege for you and the community. Are you in the West for long? Via Perth?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Beautiful post, Kymmie. You're an inspiration and it'll be something your kids will notice, treasure and pick up themselves as well.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Kymmie ... you are one very special lady!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow, you are right - two Kymmies. But both the same kind-hearted, adventurous, generous one in the end. x

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow, you are right - two Kymmies. But both the same kind-hearted, adventurous, generous one in the end. x

    ReplyDelete
  26. Wow Wow Wow Kym. Seriously. Freaking awesome (yeah yeah, got the wordsmith hat on today...;P)

    Thanks so much for sharing this part of yourself.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your thoughtful and positive words and taking the time to comment. Love Kymmie. xx