Veterans Wives Group |
Newsletter on the Net - No. 9 - 14 May 2003What an amazing month! We had a great turn up of 12 girls. As the weather is turning cold and wet, it is harder to go out at night. A few ladies rang to apologise, as they had other things happening. It was actually a fairly quiet night, although there was a fair bit of 'deep' talk happening in smaller groups, and that is what our group is about. Being able to talk to someone you are comfortable with, without fear of being judged or criticised, just to be given support and empathy to help get through a tough time. A couple of girls had been to Geelong to help out the VVF group with activities at a rally. This is a way for the VVF to earn funds to help out other Vets. Quite a number of the girls sold badges for Anzac day, with the Ringwood RSL, which raised money for welfare in this way. I am proud to be involved with such generous people! Another thing the girls do is to support each other when things get a 'bit too much', they call each other and think nothing of dropping everything to go to spend time with each other. This can even be very late in the evenings; sometimes this is the hardest time, particularly for our widows. There is still one position available for our trip to Daylesford. It is all coming together. The second instalment of $60 is due in June and the last due in September, Most girls are having a massage and spa as well, so it will be a luxurious weekend, and a great way to relax and get to know each other better; if you are interested please let us know. As for myself, I feel that my feet have not touched the ground since the last newsletter. When I think that last year I was depressed at leaving work, breaking my elbow, and having difficulty getting on with anything, it makes me realise that, when you think it's bad, wait…. And work on the positives. (I know it's bloody hard to do!) It can get better! My son married on 5th April, and I was honoured to be selected as Barnados Victorian Mother of the Year. What a thrill; on every television station, three radio interviews on air, the second page of both The Sun and The Age with photos, the two local newspaper again with photos and on half a page each, so many phone calls, emails, cards, and good wishes from people from the very early days, and those I didn't even know all that well. People stopped me in the street and spoke to me, it has been amazing! How blessed am I? I consider that it is a wonderful privilege to share with others. I had hardly come down from the excitement, and my daughter gave birth to her first child Shae Brianna on Sun 18th, our second grandchild in 10 years, and first grand daughter, we are thrilled, and both are very well and happy. Then on Thursday this week my husband Ron, has been awarded the Centenary medal, for services to Vietnam Veterans through the Ringwood RSL. The club has been honoured to have a number of it's members receive this award. Very special. So I am apologising for not getting the newsletter in quickly, but hope I am forgiven. I hope everyone has checked out 'Our Kids Stories'. We now have four stories and it is great. I hope we get more to add, as our kids are our most important asset, and our gifts to the world. They need our help and support as they deal with their lives we need to reinforce to them how special they are, and how strong they really are, even when they don't feel strong. They need our love; unconditional! We all need to remember to love, as a child does, looking for nothing but appreciating a smile! Sorry everyone, got a bit off track, but I did want to share my wonderful month with everyone as a way to say, things can get better sometime around the corner! Hope we continue to get new stories, point out the new page to your kids, and I would love them to be like the 'Anzac Story', just sent to us, from someone we don't know, but can empathise with. Have a great month, hope to get to meet you one day. Keep Smiling. Sylvia |
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