AIDAN'S DIARY - APRIL 2003
Happy Birthday Caitlin
Caitlin was indeed the chosen one today, taking her place by Mrs. Thomson at the front of the class, introducing the class to her Puppy Magic (aka. noisy plush poodle family) and dispensing cupcakes in an orderly fashion. For the most part, they were eaten in an orderly fashion too.This Dad managed to soothe the rowdy minions by reading one of Caitlin's favourite stories, "The Time Time It Took Tom", in which we learn how quickly Tom can paint the entire lounge room, including the cat, with the tin of red paint found under the kitchen sink. Handy. The last public audience for the book was Cait's kindergarten class. Tom paints once again.
The kids were suitably impressed with the story and their new storyteller.
- Dad
4 April 2003
We were more than pleasantly surprised to learn that Siobhan, a friend of Anthony's, painted a portrait of Aidan for us.
While the scanned image does not do the oil colours justice, it is worth sharing this wonderful piece of work with one and all.
Thankyou Siobhan.
- Dad
Siobhan's painting of Aidan.
Click to enlarge.
Liam and Evan provided us with admission to the annual easter picnic for the Multiple Birth Association of Western Australia in Serpentine, a short ways south. The venue was an old farmstead which until recently, also operated a miniature railway. The train was replaced with tractor rides in trailer carriages. The boys were rather impressed with the wheels churning up clods of mud left by the recent rains.
During one of the tractor trips, Caitlin and I we were joined by a butterfly, darting in and out and following our progress. This was the first butterfly I've seen anywhere for some time and given the inclement weather, I would like to think I know who sent it to visit.
A large (person-sized) easter bunny arrived after lunch to dole out easter eggs to the eager crowd. The boys employed their manners to good effect by unwrapping their eggs the moment they arrived and then handing the wrapping to the easter bunny for disposal. Very thoughtful.
- Dad
14 April 2003
Nearly 6 years have reeled past since we last saw Colorado and Rob
Slade, my old boss from Maptek in Denver. Work drew Rob across the
globe to Perth. We spent a wee while with him during which he met a
somewhat larger Caitlin (who was the size of a pea the last time they
met) and the whirlwinds, Liam and Evan.
- Dad
 Storytime with Rob (middle), Liam, Caitlin and Evan (l-r). |
 Almost awake |
24 April 2003
Here is a pearl of wisdom from another parent that featured
in Shiminski-Maher et. al.'s (2001) book Childhood
Brain & Spinal Cord Tumors (p.474) ...
I was having a very hard time grieving when a wonderful therapist that I was seeing said to me, "You are beating yourself up about grieving. Think about it. When you enter marriage what are you called? A wife. When your spouse dies, what are you called? A widow. When you don't have a home and you are living on the street, what is the name for that? A homeless person. When you lose a child, what's it called, what's the name?"- Dad
I said, "I don't know".
She said, "Exactly. There is not even a word in our vocabulary. That's how terrible it is. It doesn't even have a name."
27 April 2003
One of the readers sent me a poem for Aidan. I thought it
should be shared. There are other poems too, from November 2002, sent
by other readers, that I will add in time.
For a great little boy, Aidan ... by Claudia
Never was Heaven so splendid,Never were stars so bright,Never did trees dance so soft in the breeze,Never were clouds so white.Never was grass any greener,Never the sky so blue,Never a shore could be glistening more,Than when angels were blessed by you.Never could I feel so lonely,Never could one be so missed,Lingering near are the memories dear,Of the last time your lips were kissed.Never did arms feel so empty,Never did tears flow so free,Never a heart was so shattered apart,As the heart that was left in me.
- Dad
Last updated: 10-Nov-2003