Dad and I had been planning this trip for three months. Our first trip together with all the kids, his new wife and her two kids.
It was a four and a half hour drive from my drive way to the holiday house we had booked on AirBNB so after packing the car and filling it with petrol (thank God we did this in Bacchus Marsh and not on the highway) we were well on our way. The kids put up with my playlist of Madonna, Belinda Carlisle, Britney Spears, Matchbox Twenty, Savage Garden etc the whole way and unbelievably didn't ask me to change a single song!
As we were going through Trafalgar I asked Jeanette to message Anita to see if she was home and if she could grab her address so we could surprise her with a visit. Anita had been around when the Jeanette and Janai were growing up and Nan was still alive. The kids shared so many firsts with Anita standing right along side them including Jie's first steps. Now Anita is a Mama herself to two beautiful little girls so we couldn't wait to meet them.
It was beautiful to see the warm embrace that was given to the kids by Anita and them to her. And there was such an instant bond with her two girls. It truly was a sight to see.
After having lunch, catching up a little and snapping some pics we were back on the road.
The drive from Traralgon to Lakes was a total nightmare but with the kids bellies full they fell asleep making it a little less stressful.
Dad called to see how far away we were and from that phone call I knew exactly where he would be.
30 minutes later, just as I had suspected, he was waiting by the Tambo River with a can and a cigarette in his hand.
Just to have someone who believes in your child is all a parent could ask for. For someone to see the potential that you see is everything. Thank You Paul for being that positive male role model for my nephew to look up to! Hiram is so lucky to have had you by his side from day one!
