I grew up in Sutherland Shire in Sydney. In the 50's and 60's it was a working man's area but surrounded by beautiful wild bushland, where my family, friends and I spent many days playing. One lovely spot close to home (Loftus) was the Woronora River (an aboriginal word meaning 'black rock'). Even today it is a pristine place to play. Unfortunately "The Shire" as it is called today is looked down on by many Sydney ites living north of the shire but I have very fond memories of growing up there. It also has lovely bays, beaches and The Royal National Park. There are working class and upper class people living there but some years ago there was a nasty racial incident which took place at Cronulla and that has tarnished the area.
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Where the hills rise up out of the valley and meet the town of Sutherland, there is Woronora Cemetery. It is still has bushland on some of its borders and makes it a very pretty cemetery. My father was buried there in 1983.
This is an area for family memorials and their ashes.
This area for ashes is called the "Serenity Walk." Fox was impressed with the gazebo.
My mother moved to Brisbane to be near me in 1990 when she could no longer care for her house by herself.
Sonya tries to explain to 2 year old Fox that this is where your great grandma is sleeping.
It is sad that my parents never saw Sonya become a mother and meet their great grandsons. However mum did meet my brother's grandchildren.
It is a beautiful environment and one couldn't stay sad for long.
This looks like a lovely place to rest for eternity, Diane. The photo of Fox's hand on the marker was so beautifully poignant.
ReplyDeleteI read all the way back to the post about the cable car dogs, so I'm caught up with you! It was so hot last week I couldn't bear to sit by my hot running lap top computer for very long.
I'm glad you were able to see your daughters and the grandboys again! Banjo is growing so quickly!
Here am I sitting in a warm fleecy track suit.
DeleteIndeed a lovely tribute to your Mum.
ReplyDeleteCronulla, well that was terrible, but there was more than met the eye with
that racial business. I loved Cronulla beach as a kid and when at College and ASOPA. I am sure everything is back to normal in Cronulla now.
As for this present weather, I am in two track suits, I resemble an Eskimo.
I do hope that your forthcoming weekend adventure down South, you will have wonderful weather. Fingers crossed, Sis, eh?
Cheers and "bon adventure"
Colin (HB)
A scenic cemetery! That gazebo is a delight! But I so love the little hand stretched out on the memorial stone! Very moving!
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely cemetery, Diane. Looks well cared for and nice place to go visit your parents.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am sooo glad you went out there. I do not find cemeteries in the least sad, but then I mainly visit people who died when very old, after a long, full life. I like the generational connection you emphasise in your post. That is the heritage that I hope to leave for my Alannah: the story of her ancestors, so that she realises she is part of a continuum.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a peaceful garden for reflection.
ReplyDeleteI've been to Loftus by train but I did not realise is was so close to Cronulla and the ocean. It felt like we were miles inland. The cemetery looks to be well maintained.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a very nice place. I have never seen those little stones for ashes. Here the ashes are mostly spread out in a field or in sea. But things are changing, people want to have a remembrance place for their loved ones.
ReplyDeleteThe last photograph and sentence says it all. :)
ReplyDeletethe cemetery is so beautiful and peaceful and looks like a good place to wander in. i like the little stones, and am wondering if we have a place like this here in any of our cemetery. we do have a memorial tree garden which is a post coming up. that is a wonderful shot of your family, the one with Fox reaching out to the stones. beautiful
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing these pictures and thoughts with us.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Diane, and the last photograph of you all shows how your parents live on through you all. A beautiful post. xxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteThat's beautiful, home sweetness.
ReplyDeleteDiane, you mom is buried in a pretty place. I enjoyed your photos, especially the last shot of you and your daughter and the little ones. Lovely post.
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautifully kept cemetery and that's a comfort...It's good that you and your daughter are gradually introducing your grandsons to his family lineage and memories.,
ReplyDeleteLovely peaceful surrounds Diane .... and how special to be able to visit with your Family.
ReplyDeletelove the little hand
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Diane... I go back to Glencoe Cemetery where my parents are buried on occasion.. There's so many memories and so much history when we visit cemeteries like that... Since I grew up in that town, I recognize alot of names on the tombstones there...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing....
Hugs,
Betsy
Beautiful pictures, it looks like a very peaceful place.
ReplyDeleteHerding Cats
What a beautiful post Diane. I just love your blog and photos. It's like I'm going on a wonderful journey when visiting your blog. =)
ReplyDeleteA very touching post Diane. It's is such a beautiful resting place.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely place for your parents to rest. I can imagine that the rose garden is truly spectacular in the summer. (So odd for me to think you are in winter there. It is still hard for me, as a born and bred northern hemisphere-ian, to wrap my head around that!
ReplyDeleteI always love to see your beautiful photographs.
What a beautiful setting for a cemetery. The gardens are gorgeous even if it is winter there (like some of the others it is hard to remember you are in winter while it's 37C here).
ReplyDeleteThe child's hand shot is so beautiful!
ReplyDeletethis is very beautiful. i liked to see all these photos and reading your story...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, but the little hand shot top it all!
ReplyDelete