CPL's Picnic in the Park
29 July 12
One of the joys of being in a metropolis is that there’s usually something exciting happening every weekend. Today we spent the day at a festival organised by the Cerebral Palsy League to mark the start of Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week.
Early this morning, we needed to take Pa to a city station so he could catch the train back to his home in Sydney. As the the Cerebral Palsy League’s Picnic in the Park was being held at Roma Street Parklands today, it was the perfect combination of events for us!
We had a bit of time to spend before the festival began, so we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast in a nearby food-court before walking to the park. On the way, we loved seeing the colourful murals painted on the tunnel walls and the rogue plants seemingly growing straight out of the concrete.
Our girls adore craft activities, and we were delighted to find a whole tent with a range of projects they could work on. There were little card shapes to paint, cards to make, masks to decorate and other painting options too.
We wandered around the grounds, trying out some other activities, before standing in line at the face-painting stall. Out of our four, only two wanted to get their faces painted when it was finally our turn. But the helium balloons handed out on the way kept everyone happy and occupied while we waited.
Lauren de Luca offers her face-painting services for parties in the Brisbane area, and she was lightning-fast with our girls. I haven’t seen this level of face-painting skill before and was really impressed with her work.
Aisha has really good memories of playing the laughing clowns game at Luna Park in Sydney earlier this year. I’m really pleased that she got to build upon her memories, try the game again and improve her skill level.
We decided to leave the festival when Calista ran out of energy. Interestingly enough, as soon as we were out of the crowds, she revived and enjoyed exploring the gardens as we made our slow way back to our car.
Today’s outing was another progression for me in becoming a single parent. The girls and I are able to objectively analyse our behaviour — retrospectively — and although we experienced a variety of negative behaviours from all four girls, I managed to stay mostly calm, cool and collected. It was great, however, to give ourselves the freedom to leave when we stopped having fun, and I wonder how many activities I’ve persisted at because I wanted to get “value for money”, even though we were long past the point of enjoying ourselves!
Yes, that looks like the perfect ending to a fantastic day out!
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1 · Michelle · 29 July 2012, 22:14
That last photo is just beautiful. I love photos of sleeping children, there’s not much that’s more perfect or more peaceful. What a lovely day for you all.
2 · laura · 29 July 2012, 22:23
Your girls are so lucky to have so many amazing experiences. Looks like a fun time for all. Such wonderful memories for them : )
3 · chelsea · 29 July 2012, 22:37
what a special day. i love the water stairs! i can only imagine you felt David and Elijah’s absense so much today amidst all the people, I am sending you so much love and I am so proud for taking your girls out to have a fabulous day no matter the cirumstances.
4 · suzy · 29 July 2012, 23:23
I am amazed at your courage and strength. You are keeping hope and joy alive for your girls under unbelievably hard circumstances.
There is so much beauty in these photos.
I love the waterfall on the steps!
I was especially touched by the card your little girl was so carefully making.
5 · Jennifer · 29 July 2012, 23:25
I have been reading your blog for a little over a year now and have commented on and off. I have been following your story and have not commented because I just didn’t have the words to say.
I read your post today and now I know what to say. You are an amazingly strong woman. To have been through what you have and to still find the beauty in all that’s around you is amazing. Your strength is inspiring. I pray for continued peace and strength for you and your family. God bless!
6 · Erin · 30 July 2012, 06:10
Read this with my daughter; she liked your girls’ sparkly bindis and I loved the “wedding cake” sculpture. Wondering if that could be re-created on a much smaller scale in my back garden!!
7 · Ailsa · 30 July 2012, 08:56
It looks like a lovely day in the sunshine Lauren. I have to ask though, you mention being a single parent. To me a single parent is one who is separated/divorced/widowed. Is this the case for you? If David is in a mental health hospital aren’t you standing by his side? I hope he is doing okay too, I think about you all everyday. Love and strength xx
8 · Lauren Fisher · 30 July 2012, 10:05
Hi Ailsa,
David is held in custody, charged with Elijah’s murder, and is currently receiving care at a high-security mental health institute. This will likely continue for years.
For all practical purposes, I am a single parent. It’s a new role for me, not one I would have chosen, but I will grow into it.
Love,
Lauren.
9 · Cris · 30 July 2012, 10:40
That is so true!! We do push the limit for the “value for money” factor don’t we, even when the kids are over it! Lol
10 · Annie · 30 July 2012, 12:17
Lauren,
I have been thinking of you and your family every day. I’m so glad you were all able to find some beauty and experience a normal day. You continue to be my example of a strong woman, and my family loves yours even if we have never met.
11 · Betteanne · 30 July 2012, 12:25
so glad you were able to have such a sparkly day Lauren with your girls!
So sweet your daughter was making a card for David. Those types of things will mean the world to him.12 · Betteanne · 30 July 2012, 12:34
Lauren~are you able to visit David, where he is and physically hug him? Will you be able to hand deliver cards to him , or can he only get mail?
Would it help for us to write cards and notes of encouragement to him? He must be in pain and anguish too :o(
Just like people who are physically not well can be blessed by cards and concern, people who are mentally not well need well wishes too.
Would you want us to write him?
13 · Typsy Gypsy · 30 July 2012, 14:08
What agreat day out. This is a lesson I need to grasp. I almost always want to stay ‘till the end’ even though I can see the girls are nearing the end of their endurance.
The result is some kind of ‘crash’ and everyone is cranky at the person who spoiled the day. When what should have happened is we all leave half an hour earlier and we all have lovely memories of the day.
I will get it one of these days…..
Been thinking of you all xx
14 · Sarah · 30 July 2012, 22:47
Thanks for sharing this lovely post with us. I live in Brisbane but have yet to visit Roma St Parklands (I know hopeless!!) I have it on my list to do with my parents when they arrive in a few days. It is now at the top of my list. Thank you.
And on the note of being a single parent – my heart goes out to you. I classify myself as a part time single parent and get questions as to why I do. My husband is gone for 6mths of the year. During this time I make all the decisions regarding our family. I have no one who comes home and no one to share my choices with. I have no one to share the burdon or the joys with. Its totally singular. My eternal sympathies go out to you. I hope one day you are no longer singular in parenthood.
xx
15 · Tam · 31 July 2012, 13:13
I have no words to help with your pain and loss, so I hope that one day if we should meet in the street you will accept a hug from a stranger, who will then go on her way.
I would also like to say thankyou for making me rethink some of how I raise/interact with my children. I now pause, and instead of saying “no, I’m busy, i have xx to do” i get down on the floor and join in their games, knowing whatever it is I have to do can wait, they wont…time is short and before i know it all the “no, I’m busys” will have become “no mum, we’re too busy” So thankk you.