RIP Vera Dunque, my "mother-outlaw", who died suddenly last weekend. She was generous to a fault, an original thinker, a genuine, old-fashioned Australian, a mother of seven, grandmother to God-knows-how-many including my son Jordan and a real friend, who helped me out when I needed a hand. Normally one might never see the mother of an ex again, after the separation is final, kids or no kids, but Vera was cut from a different pattern, one which might not be fashionable, but is durable and all the more effective for it. I was proud to be her "son-outlaw" and indicated thus at my wedding to Lilit Petrosyan, an occasion at which she sat at my right hand side in the place where a mother might sit. The world is a sadder place for her exit. The following is my tribute to her, written in the style of Banjo Paterson, a Vera favourite: VERA, LATE OF OAKLANDS PARK The message came - belated – and although we weren’t related It seemed that I’d be welcomed if I ventured down the road That stretched a little longer than the sign to Mypolonga To the farmhouse off the beaten track, Vera’s new abode ‘Twas the time of Grandma Vera and a golden Dunque era At creating grandkid Paradise our Vera would excel Yes, amid the Murray flora that old house had gained an aura As welcoming for family and visitors as well With three hundred bantam chickens scratching in the earth for pickings And ducks and geese aplenty there were eggs in good supply But Ron had aches that lingered, so they moved; Onkaparinga Became his final furlough, where he said his last goodbye * * * So now it seemed that Vera with her two dogs should move nearer To benefit another garden with her green thumb-mark As ever, family anchor, while the birds and cats all thank her For the free milk and the birdseed daily down at Oaklands Park And of all the folk to meet her there were none who wouldn’t greet her Her kindliness noteworthy, pleasures simple, needs were small Not for Vera airs and graces, just the smiles on neighbour’s faces She always had a friendly word to offer one and all Aging made her head get dizzy, but she kept herself quite busy To the end her mind retained its effervescent spark And though her end came quickly, it’s a boon she wasn’t sickly For aged care wouldn’t suit our Vera, late of Oaklands Park
Posted on: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 13:43:03 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015