Fri May 05 17:33:26 MST Lismore, Days 8-18: After a little time spent in Brisbane we traveled south to Lismore to see Louise's brother Dean and his family (wife Janelle and four daughters). Sunday was conference (again) so I have seen the Sunday sessions at least 5 times now.
Monday and Tuesday we decided to go off alone to Byron Bay. We stayed at a nice Bed-and-Breakfast Monday night, and visited the gorgeous beaches and the lighthouse. On Tuesday we went sea kayaking with the dolphins. We saw a shipwreck and some marine life on that trip. It was fun, and I never thought that riding the surf in on a kayak would be so much fun.
Byron bay is a famous Humpback Whale-watching lookout. It is the most easterly point in Australia, and is named after Lord Byron’s (of literary renown) admiral Grandfather. It is also one of the alternative lifestyles capitals of Australia with nude beaches and all. That kinda put a damper on the beauty of the place for me.
Wednesday and Thursday were spent with Dean. He took us to Protester falls in the rainforest near Lismore. We also went to swim on the beaches near the town of Ballina. Most of all, staying with Dean and Janelle gave us some rich material for conversations concerning parenting and Husband-Wife roles and relationships. Dean is not employed and Janelle has to go to work. Also Janelle is a very loud person who favours a high decibel voice when reprimanding her children. They were very accommodating to us as we stayed there though and we were very glad to have visited them.
We also spent an evening with Louise’s long-time friend Lara Viscovitch. She has a million-dollar beach house on Byron Bay. Her dad had it specially designed and built with all the neat water faucets and lighting, a signed Picasso print on the wall, etc. Just recently her father committed suicide. He was a Dentist, but he seemed to have serious marital problems and depression. Lara was living at this beach house with a live in “partner” from France whom she had met just four or five months ago. We went out to dinner at a delightful street-side patio restaurant and had some stimulating conversation. We discovered she is a fierce feminist who didn’t give much credence to the institution of marriage (which in her view is some form of oppressive institution for women). “Why do I need a paper to tell me that I love somebody?” was her curt retort to our comments on married life. I was happy to see Louise witness to the joys and truthfulness of marriage. Perhaps I am doing something right.
In further thought, what is a contract but words we say to each other, and those words but thoughts. Those are the very things that make us human and separate us from the beasts who mechanically reproduce in their times and seasons. Furthermore, what are words to somebody who has no integrity? They are but tinkling brass and cymbal. In that case, words are nothing but stale, consumed air.
Funny how she is able to leisurely take such views when everything she has been given, from her private boarding school education to her lifestyle on the beach, was provided by a man, namely her Father. I suppose it is the same for each of us when we take the gospel perspective on things.
Philosophical disagreements notwithstanding, we do value the friendship of others who hold different or even incorrect views on life. Relationships are the most important gift we can have in mortality.
It has been a good week, however, and now (Saturday) we are in Kanwal near Sydney. Louise is busy planning a big get-together with some of the familial friends in Kanwal complete with food and plenty of joy.
I just found out today that Frances has passed from this life. God has drawn the curtain, but then next Act is about to commence, and when one attempts to express the thoughts of one’s heart there seems to be an angel that stands by with one finger gently pressed against his lips. I struggle to contemplate the immensity of this life, and I am deeply grateful for this great gift of probationary time. My thoughts and prayers are with Leonard, Susie and Rachel.
