A wonderful message from Connie's grandson

I forgot to blog this beautiful message from Connie's grandson, Bakhe, that he sent Jo in November of last year. I love the message so much.  Through her generosity, Jo has changed a life.

Exams are finally over and my journey in De Grendel has came to an end 😭I just want to say I'm thankful to you for all the years and support I have received from you 🫀🔥

You've been such a blessing to my life from primary straight up to high school 💯u have taken care of me as ur own 💯 I'm thankful to God for blessing me with you Aunty Joanne in my life 💯🔥God bless you 👊❤️❤️and I'll continue making you proud.

🥹 Thank you 💯💯💯

Thank you letter after Nepal

 Hi there Gavin

Welcome back, my friend. Hope England was good and not too sad with your dad being so ill. I saw you met up with the boys. It looks like you also went on a cool hike.

I had the most amazing time in Chitwan and ended up staying there most of the time. I met up with a fabulous guide (a birding expert) and got some wonderful photos of some incredible birds. It was really special.

I've started to edit and post my photos on my blog, doing some each day. So wonderful reliving it. I'm doing a post for each day of the hike so it can perhaps be repurposed in some form for Mathbar. He's such a legend, what a wonderful guide he is!

Thanks so much for making the Nepalese adventure happen. You have been the catalyst to so many unforgettable experiences and this was no different. It was tough but infinitely rewarding in so many ways, like only the most challenging things are. Thank you for letting Russell join us too, it was so special getting to share the experience with him.

Looking forward to seeing you soon and catching up

G

Tribute video for Shushann

Shushann is a very dear friend. I created this slideshow to celebrate her birthday and our friendship.

Thank you letters after Antarctica

To Justin

Hi Justin

Graeme here. We’ve disembarked and it’s official. Antarctica has literally blown my mind. It’s been epic beyond belief, a long-standing dream come true. What a wonderland of ice and teeming wildlife and what a delight to photograph it all. 

Thank you so much for all you did to make this possible. Aurora has been incredible in all the support they have given us. So many beautiful connections made. We’ve had the time of our lives and I’m so excited about the lessons we’ve created with such an amazing and friendly team of expedition experts. 

Thank you again so, so much for everything.  The experience has been indescribable with memories that will last a life time and it’s wonderful to know that the footage, photos and lessons we took will reach so many kids. What a dream it has been.

From Justin

Hi Graeme, so great to hear from you and thank you for the inspiring message.

It's such an out of this world place and it really does make you look at life in a different way. The only problem is that it has to end...

I'm glad the experience was as incredible as we'd hoped and despite the pre departure challenges it seems to have come together perfectly. I've had a look at the images in the blogs and there are some spectacular ones like the penguin porpoising looking straight into the camera. 

The big thing is you guys have stacks of content for lessons and we'll reach and educate thousands of kids and share the passion making lots of mini ambassadors for the planet.

Safe trip home and take care mate

To Gavin

Hi there Gavin

I just wanted to say thank you, thank you, thank you for all you did to make The Antarctic trip possible and so amazing.

As you know, it's been a dream of mine to experience Antarctica for so many years and it exceeded my high expectations in so many ways.  It was an indescribable and unforgettable adventure; the kind of experience that transforms you. What an extraordinary wonder-world we live in and nowhere more so than where we've just been.

Thank you also so much for being the kind of friend who I could confide in when I was struggling (such a break-through for me to be able to do this!) and for all you did to help me get out of the vortex: for ensuring I saw the doctor and for your calm acceptance, positivity, and assurance.  It's such a priceless gift to have a friend like you.

It was also incredibly inspiring to get the chance to see you in action again.  To witness your indomitable spirit early on when so many challenges arose. To see how you kept inspiring our team and fostering such amazing team spirit.  How you went about building so many amazing connections on board and got everyone to so totally buy into and support the vision. How you managed to remember so much information in so little time and then share it and elicit in such a powerful way in one take. Your talents and skills are extraordinary, and how wonderful that you're harnessing them in a way that can literally help to change the world.

Thank you again so much for everything. What a gift to share such an unforgettable experience with a priceless friend and to be inspired in so many ways and to contribute in some small way to something so important.

All more amazing than I can say.

G

Dear cheater Mcgraeme

Thank you for your heartfelt email. It means the world to me to hear that you had such a transformative experience in Antarctica, and I am grateful to have been a part of making that dream come true for you. Your kind words about our friendship and my contributions to the trip are incredibly humbling, and I am filled with gratitude for having had the opportunity to share this adventure with you.

I am also thankful for the trust you placed in me when you were struggling and for the chance to support you in navigating those challenges. Seeing your strength and resilience firsthand was inspiring, and I am honoured to have been able to witness it and will always have your back. 

Once again, thank you for your thank you! I am lucky to call you a friend, and I look forward to many more adventures together in the future.

Love you lots my old mate

With gratitude,

Gavin

A birthday tribute to Elna celebrating her 50th

Letter to Michael

Sorry I haven't been in contact like I said I would.  Life has been unbelievably hectic for really wonderful reasons I wanted to share as it involves you directly!

You'll remember Sue went to both the Arctic and Antarctic on her travels and they were the best travel experiences of her life. Her eyes would light up whenever she spoke of her adventures there and her photos were unbelievable.  I got to edit her photos from both places and dreamed of going myself one day.  However, the cost of getting on the ship  is very, very high and I wondered if I would ever get the chance.

Then, out of the blue, an educational company who a good friend works for contacted me and asked me if I'd like to go on an Arctic expedition with them as  their nature photographer and researcher - totally for free!!   If the trip is a success, there will be the chance to go to Antarctica too and several other destinations around the world.  An absolute dream come true!!

The only challenge was that I needed to have the latest, mirrorless camera and my camera and some of my lenses are very out of date.  

So, thanks to your amazing generosity, I was able to go out and get all the photographic equipment I need. Without it, I would really have struggled to afford it. The process of deciding which camera and lenses to get has been unbelievably exciting.

I've had a chance to really get to use the new camera and lenses over the past few weeks and it's blown me away with what it can do. It somehow knows when you are photographing an animal and focuses on the animal's eyes without you having to do anything. It's total magic and takes all the stress out of photographing wildlife.  Photographing polar bears is going to be a cinch with it.

So I just wanted to thank you again for all you've enabled . I appreciate it more than words can say.  I know Sue, wherever she may be, will be absolutely and thoroughly delighted too.  I really have a wonderful sense of that.

I leave for the Arctic tomorrow and will be away 3 weeks or so.  When I get back, I'd love to take you out for lunch and regale you with my adventures and show you some of my photos.

I hope you are doing really well.

G

Thank you letter to Gavin after the Arctic

 Hi there Gavin

I have started blogging about our arctic adventures and it's been a form of ecstasy to start reliving it all again in vivid detail.

Wow, what a time it's been!  Without doubt, one of the greatest experiences of my whole life. And to do it with one of my best friends makes it beyond priceless. 

I just want to say thank you for everything...

...for making the whole thing happen! For impressing Justin with your online lessons, for coming up with the idea and for getting Aurora super-excited about it (which of course, is one of your many superpowers!) ...

... for believing in my photography and choosing me as part of the team. What an absolute privilege it has been. And also for all your support and encouragement with my photography over the years....

... for all the inspiration you bring. You are by far the most inspiring and energising person I've ever known and to spend so much time with you and to see you in full creative flow has been beyond amazing...

... for making the trip so much fun: for all the great laughs, wondrous facts, sightings shared, stories told, connections made, and shared jacuzzi wallowings...

...for all the admin you did to get us there, especially booking all the flights...

...for your support when I was so worried about my meds running out.  Your intervention allowed me to relax and enjoy the rest of the trip....

...for playing such a driving role in getting us out of Longyearbyen by refreshing that page a million times.  You and Tanya also made one hell of a team on Skyscanner - the king and queen of the ultimate real life "escape room" challenge.!!! ...

...for treating us with your Quatar gold passes.  Pure luxury!  That shower ranks as the best I've ever had!  And don't get me started on the passion fruit yoghurt :)

...and most of all, for your priceless friendship. For all the memories, adventures, outings and special meals we've shared. For the inspiration, fun and laughter you bring.  You enrich my life in so many ways .  Friends simply don’t come better.  

Meeting you in the little town of Thredbo feels like the ultimate synchronicity.

G

Email sent after a week in hospital

Hello beautiful family and friends

I want to express my deepest gratitude for all your amazing support during the last two weeks: all your well wishes, phone calls and visits, prayers and positive vibes, words of encouragement. To Matt for ensuring I came home to such an immaculate room. For listening to my strange ramblings before I went in; especially Liza, Matt & Sharmista, Shushann, Nic and Srini!

In a nutshell, for all the love and caring you all showed in so many ways. It was yet another beautiful reminder to me of how absolutely priceless friendship and human connection is.  I appreciate your love and care and support  more than I can express.

I want to express a particularly deep public thank you to Craig.  Oh my goodness, where do I start, Craig?  I can't tell you how extraordinary your support was.  You were literally my rock during this often uncertain and scary experience.  Thank you for looking out for me when I was showing warning signs, for getting in touch with the hospital, for all your immense wisdom, for the perspective you gave me, the advice you brought, for your numerous visits, for bringing all my stuff to me, for the nuts and priceless letters from home, for taking me out on walks.  And for your constant peace and calmness which was like a soothing balm.

But most of all, thank you for keeping everyone in the loop the way you did. For reassuring my mum and sister who felt so helpless and far away.  For hunting down hard to get info from the doctors and sharing that, for all your emails and all the calls you made.  You were a priceless gift to my family especially.  Without you, they would have been absolutely frantic with worry.

As you all know, I'm home now.  Apart from the worry it's caused all of you, I'm grateful for the experience.  It's given me some priceless insights into a condition I've had since I was a child. It's brought home powerfully the importance of looking after myself: living life slowly, getting lots of sleep, nourishing food, exercise, walks, connection.  It's given me a renewed appreciation of the immense freedom I enjoy in my life and all the little things that I realise aren't little.  It's given me the incentive to do some therapy to sort out some fears I woke up to. Allowed me to get off medication I've been wanting to get off for ages. And brought home the realisation I don't need to feel shame or pretend to be "well" if I'm experiencing emotional difficulties from time to time.  That is such a relief, such a freedom.

I look forward to catching up with all of you. And embracing and sharing the adventure of life that I feel so privileged to share with all of you.  

Sending you love

---

What a beautiful letter which I am sure will mean as much to your friends as it does to me.  I hope you will re read it many times when things get tough and remind yourself of the amazing support you have in Australia and you will ask for help immediately if you ever need it in the future.  I know the next few weeks are going to be very difficult as your body continues to recover and your brain adjusts to being without some of the medication it has become so reliant on.  We love you so much and hate that you have had to go through this experience but hope that the long term result will make it all worthwhile.

Remember we are here for you any time of the day or night.  Be gentle on yourself, take any support that is offered and take it one day at a time.


All my love, Mum

---

Wow G!  That is truly an amazing letter you wrote.  I think your friends will be blown away by the sincerity and raw emotion of it.

Will chat soon

Jo


xxxxx

---

Thanks Graeme - you are very welcome - & you are well loved.

And "in a nutshell" is apposite, coz that's where you were! -  and what a speedy escape - well done - & may it continue, as the L'Oreal girls say, "because you're  worth it".

Cheers mate

Craig

---

Blessings dear Graeme

I’m sorry I wont be there tonight to give you a hug. See you next week. I was thinking of buying Craig a big bag of cashews for all his care. I know how much he loves them.


Shushann xx

---

My dearest Graeme,

I was so surprised to receive that long explanatory email from you, that you were actually in hospital and needing help.

I did wonder why I had heard nothing from you in two weeks, but I prayed for you nevertheless. I'm still in the dark but the main thing is that you're better now. I'm so grateful to all your friends who've supported you and been there for you in your time of need. Just goes to show what wonderful friends you have, and how you receive in return all you give out. 

Please take extremely good care of yourself in every aspect of your life and know that there's nothing more important than you!

With much love and a myriad of blessings,

Heather xxx

---

Thanks so much, Heather.  All is well and the experience was actually a priceless one, one I wouldn't change for anything, except the worry it caused my family and friends.

Basically, I went off on an extraordinary spiritual high - due at least in part, I'm pretty sure, to the stimulent medication I've been taking for several years that masks lower energies in my psyche.   I was in such a state of peace and complete fearlessness that I stopped taking the medication altogether.  I continued to feel peaceful and joyful for several days with extraordinary revelations and experiences and love beyond anything I can describe.

But sometimes what goes up, comes down abruptly - especially when the brain suddenly isn't getting the chemical it has become reliant on. 

So I plummeted into a sudden world of illusion and in that state, literally stared face to face at my Ultimate Nightmares.  I lived for about 12 hours of intense suffering and intense fear before I realised that it was just a psychotic episode and I was in the North Sydney High Dependency Ward (Maximum Lock Up!)

I stayed there for about a week, meeting beautiful people and coming off the medication I'm been wanting to come off for years.  Now I'm home and feeling fantastic.  

Hope all is going well.  

---

Thank you to mum after Cape Town visit 2015

Dear mum

I wanted to thank you a million times for your extraordinary generosity during my trip to South Africa. For the flight ticket that got me there and back.  For spending money for me and food money for Jo. For the Tsitiskama hike and the Baz bus ticket.  Not to mention shoes, iPhone chargers and more.  And lots of delicious meals out and in.

When I list it like that, I feel guilty that I allowed you to treat me to so much.  But please know that I appreciate it more than words can possibly express.  Getting to spend such quality time with my wonderful family is the most precious gift in the world.  The Tsitsikama Trail ended up being a joyous celebration when my feet suddenly came right like they did.  And the Baz trip was full of soul enriching experiences that I will cherish for life.

Please, please know that I don't take your generosity for granted. I feel such gratitude that it often makes me cry.  Please also know that I don't expect that kind of generosity, or anything remotely close to it, on future trips. That's very important to me.

I'm getting back into the swing of life back in Sydney and feeling extremely motivated. Some of the work I've done in the past week feels like it's the most inspired I've ever done. I'm brimming with ideas that just keep flowing. I'm also enjoying it all greatly.  It's a miracle what a long, nourishing break can do. I cherished every minute of of it.  Thank you.

Love
G


From mum

It is just so wonderful to have you here.  Hope the inspiration continues.  Please remind me when your SA passport is due to expire so we have a date to look forward to until you come again!  Hope the puppy is settling down and not causing too many piddles etc.

Letter of gratitude to Jilly

Dearest Jilly

I am so, so grateful to you for so many reasons I hardly know where to begin.

• Thank you for bringing Eckhart into my life, a beautiful teacher who has helped me to escape the tyranny of my mind and awaken to the beautiful light of my own Being.  It has brought me an experience of peace and inner stillness I couldn't have imagined.   
• Thank you for bringing Geraldine into my life, a teacher who taught me that by not fearing death, I can more fully embrace life.   
• Thank you for bringing Nic into my life, a teacher who has taught me the gift of self acceptance and compassion, and the innate perfection in all things, including myself.   
• Thank you for bringing the beautiful teaching of Adya and Gangaji into my life.   
• Thank you for being the catalyst to the greatest spiritual transformation I've ever known, especially the unblocking and release of years of repressed pain, which has allowed me to open to love, wonder and joy.   
• Thank you for bringing HAI into my life and the gift of letting myself be seen and connecing deeply with others.   
• Thank you for sharing my spiritual journey with me, for providing constant support and encouragement every step of the way.   
• Thank you for being someone I can be totally real and open and vulnerable with. My first real experience of what true intimacy is. It's the most precious gift in the world.   
• Thank you for being so real and open yourself, for letting me into your own inner world the way you do, for sharing your joys, hopes, longings and fears.   
• Thank you for bringing into my life many people who have become such dear friends: Craig, Chris, Desmond, Peter,  Abe, Irene, Shashane, Lydia, Philip and Christina to name but a few.   
• Thank you for gently challenging me when you can see me stuck in a negative belief or pattern.   
• Thank you for the beautiful space that is your home and how you make it so freely available for the soul nourishment of others, including me.   
• Thank you for your wonderful and often naughty sense of humour, for so many delightful laughs.   
• Thank you for showing me what it's like to be truly young at heart no matter what your age, in touch with your timeless self.   
• Thank you for all the delicious bowls of Jilly Zoop, made with love, and for all the fellowship we've shared over meals.   
• Thank you for the example you show in being an attentive, loving space for others, always listening with an open heart.    
• Thank you for the example you set in being positive and cheerful, despite all the physical pain you feel.   
• Thank you for your smile and your radiance.    
• Thank you for bringing the beautiful music of Peter Miller Robinson into my life.   
• Thank you for wonderful, fun, shared  experiences like our drive up to Kangaroo Valley, watching The 100 Foot Journey, enjoying The New Year fireworks from prime position and delishious lunches at About Life.   
• Thank you for all the beautiful quotes and gems you've shared via email and Facebook and your slips of paper - and for often reading out the ones that have really touched you.  I've added so many of them to my own collection.   
• Thank you for the soul nourishing rituals on a Tuesday night, like "Would someone like to start an Om" and "Let's have a cuppa!"    
• Thank you for all the beautiful hugs we've shared. 
• Thank you dearest Jilly for all these things and so much more.  Before I met you, I never really knew what love was.  Now, in my meditation and in my life, I regularly experience it so deeply it leaves me reeling.  Love so vast, it cannot be described. Love for everyone.  Love for everything.  It's a pricless gift that is healing and transforming me.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you've done to open me to that.    

If someone offered me 100 million dollars and the only condition was that I didn't get to meet you and experience all that you've brought into my life, I'd happily decline.

I love you more than words can express

G  

Letter to Chrisel

Dear Chrisel

It's been so wonderful to get to know you during the past 4 months. Meeting you through Meet Up was such a gift. It's amazing that in such a short time you've become one of my very closest and most cherished friends...

Or maybe not when I consider all your beautiful qualities...

Here are just some of the many things that I have come to love about you ...

• The fact you're so directed by your purpose and values and desire to follow your heart.   
• Your courage in giving up work and following your dreams. So inspiring!   
• The way you got rid of all your old furniture and "stuff", opening space in your life.   
• Your love of travel and exploring new places and experiences.   
• Your love of Africa's nature and wildlife, especially giraffes.   
• Your love of the outdoors, nature and hiking.   
• Your love of doing adventurous and different things.   
• Your deep love for music.   
• Your  passion for your penny whistle and all the beautiful tunes you can play, even in the traffic!   
• Your love of movies, including animated ones.   
• Your love of good food and red wine.   
• Your love for good chocolate in all it's wonderful forms - and for taking me on a chocolate tour. 
• Your deep love for South Africa - it's spirit, , personality, beauty, places, people.  I can so deeply relate!   
• Your deep love for your family.   
• Your wonder for the universe and its stars and planets.   
• Your passion for jeeps!   
• Loving so many of the same things I do. Even little things like Nesquick, instant pudding and Grandadillal lollies!   
• The fact you love skinny dipping.    
• How passionate and inspired you get about many things and the way your eyes light up when you talk about them. So inspiring!   
• The way your sunshine shines through, even when you're full of sinus and cold.   
• Your deep appreciation for life despite the suffering you and your loved ones have been through.   
• Your amazing yoga poses and very own, unique routine.   
• The fact you can be chatty and animated and buzzing - and also quiet and calm and reflective.   
• Your sense of humour and the ease with which you laugh.   
• What a wonderful friend you are to your friends, be it looking after their challenging doggies or making them amazing cakes on their birthdays.   
• The fact you want to make a difference to people in the world.   
• The way you look after yourself with yoga and veggie juice, even if it makes your hands a bit orange! The wonderful, endearing way you tell jokes, especially when you put on  funny voices!   
• Your close relationship with your mum.   
• The fact you need time and space to regroup (e.g. before work on Monday.)  I can really relate to that. The fact you get anxious sometimes, like when you need to perform.  I can so relate to that too.   
• The way you've accepted your condition and wanting to inspire others in similar circumstances. 
• Your courage in getting IVF treatment and doing all you can to make your dreams happen.  You'd make such an amazing mum.   
• The fact you're sensitive and wary of rejection. I can so relate to that.   
• The fact you've been deeply in touch with your shadow, and come out so strongly into the light. 
• The fact you're not totally sure where you belong, feeling like you have your feet in two countries.   
• The fact you're so in touch with your feelings and that you feel so deeply.   
• The way you can see all sides of things and are so open minded.   
• Your inbuilt navigation skills,  I'm envious!   
• Your skills as a leaping photographer.   
• The fact you've written music for special people in your life.   
• All the amazing things you've gotten me into: tea, broccolini, Lúnasa, the Lindt chocolate cafee. The Comedy Store, smoothies, stretching, Trevor Noah, Sting.   
• How you make people feel so comfortable, able to be completely themselves.   
• Your quirky side   
• The fact you feel different from "the herd."    
• The fact you're secure enough to drive a bit of a beaten up car (like mine!)   
• Being able to have deep discussions about the meaning of life one moment, and being able to laugh about something lighthearted the next.   
• Your kindness.   
• Your great sense of fun.   
• Your amazing openness and willingness to share  deep things about yourself.   
• Your down to earthness.   
• Your beautiful smile and stunning, green eyes.   
• The fact you are so comfortable to be yourself.   
• Your kind, warm, positive energy.   

All in all, you're pure sunshine.  Thank you for being the kind, loving, wonderful, inspiring soul you are.  Thank you for being You; exactly You.

I'm also so grateful for the wonderful experiences we've shared over the past 4 months.  Here are just some of the highlights for me ...

• The Comedy Store - what a great place!   
• Picnicing in the sunshine at Berry Island with Mack.   
• Your delicious babootie.   
• Walking backwards with you at the park and on the beach.   
• Bringing you soup when you were sick.   
• Feeling so comfortable with you felt I could share my Afrikaans story.   
• Being inspired together by David Doubilet's photographs at the Sydney Opera House.   
• Introducing me to The Lindt chocolate cafee and their orgasmic iced chocolate.   
• Walking in the Sydney Botanical Garden at sunset with our cameras.   
• Introducing me to The Central Coast's secret places and that bracing swim at Maitland Bay.   
• Finding your ear rings on the beach - they obviously wanted to be found!   
• Introducing me to yoga - what a great instructor you are!   
• So many wonderful meals and decadent desserts shared.   
• Chilling on the couches at the pub in North Sydney.   
• Watching some great movies like How I Tamed Your Dragon 2, Lucy, Magic in the Moonlight, The Notebook, The Prestige.   
•  Enjoying the flowers at Muogamarra Nature Reserve and looking down onto the river from the trig beacon   
• Gorging ourselves with chocolate on the Sydney chocolate tour - one of the best and most memorable presents I've ever received.   
• Meeting Angel, your wonderful Spanish friend.   

Needless to say, I'll miss you like crazy while you're away and you'll be very much in my thoughts.  I wish you a year full of adventure, new experiences and friendships, self discovery, wonder and beauty, fun and laughter and lots of love and deep connection with your family.  I can't wait to follow your journey!

Lots of love and hugs,

G

Text to Chris

Hi Chris.

Thanks again so much for all your support, guidance and inspiration with the DIY for my home. You've opened up a whole new world. You give the term true friendship real meaning.

G

Meeting Gavin at Mount Kosciuszko

Hi Gavin.

Sorry I didn't get to say goodbye this morning. It was so great to meet you. Thanks for making our trip so fun and memorable - I haven't laughed so much in a long time. Your zest for life is infectious and your story telling borders on genius - what an amazing skill you have. Glad you got back safe. I'll send you a link to the photos on Saturday.

 Cheers. Graeme

Pathways to Intimacy Workshop

Hi Denise 

 I just wanted to thank you for an absolutely beautiful workshop on Sunday. I enjoyed every single minute of it and found it transformational in so many ways. Your facilitation was just perfect - you created such a warm and safe space to open up fully. The deep sharing you did about your own life also touched me to the core and helped give me the courage to share more deeply about myself in the exercises and start doing more of it in my own life. Thank you so much for the blessing you are, the work you do and for making such a difference to the lives of those you touch.

 Thank you again from the heart,
 Graeme


 Hi Abe 

 I just wanted to thank you again for the Pathways to Intimacy workshop on Sunday. It was a truly beautiful experience, full of revelations and discoveries and insights that are precious beyond words. I can't express how glad I am that I went. Thank you for all the immense hard work you did in making it possible and bringing such a blessing into the lives of all us who came. Thank you also for doing your Meet Up groups, for without that, it may have passed me by. Thank you for your calm, loving presence and the personal sharing that you do when we meet - you always inspire me to share more of myself with others.

 Thanks for all this, Abe. You're a great blessing.
 Graeme

Thank you's to Nic

23 Oct 13

Hi Nic

I've been reflecting a lot on points that came up last night and the more I do, the more I realise I'll never think of approval or rejection in the same way again.  It's just the breakthrough I needed in an area I've struggled with as long as I can remember. Thanks for making yourself available in the way you do for wisdom to reveal itself at just the right time.  I'm deeply grateful.

Cheers,
G


4 Sep 13

Hi Nic

Thanks for last night.  There were lots of insights that resonated deeply and I've been trying that meditation technique some more and it's really, really great.

Cheers,
G


11 Sep 13

Hi Nic

Thanks for the wonderful introduction to reincarnation and karma last night. Thanks for all the wisdom and insight that flows through you.  It's a great blessing.


4 Jul 15

Hi Nic

I've been thinking of you guys a lot and hoping you're well.  I'm sure little G is growing so fast!  And is adorable as ever.  I hope your work away went / is going ok.

Life on my side is good. I was in South Africa for 10 weeks and got back a month ago, settling back into Sydney life.   So many of the things I learned from our sessions together are now becoming so part of life that I just can't comprehend being without it.  I feel very, very blessed.

If you are back, it would be wonderful to catch up sometime. No pressure to start the group up again if family commitments are strong as I'm sure they are, but if you feel called to do it again, on a weekly or monthly or quarterly or ad hoc basis, wild horses won't keep me away.

Give my love to Allesandra

Cheers,
G

Letters

July 2013

Dear Dani

It's been wonderful getting to know you over the past few months.   I feel very blessed that your journey has criss- crossed with mine. You're amazing, a veritable ray of sunshine, beautiful all the way through.  And the fact you have a gorgeous butt in jeans doesn't hurt either!!!  Anyway, here for the record, are some of the things that I have come to dig and appreciate about you.

• your all round gorgeousness including your stunning, blue eyes
• the ease with which you laugh
• your love of hiking
• your amazing hair and how delicious it always smells 
• your openness 
• your down to earthness
• the fact you saw the humour in being sprayed with fermented apple juice!
• your ability to park in a tight spot
• your love of doing adventurous and different things
• your love of hugging - you're so very huggable
• the fact that you're so physically affectionate
• your drop dead gorgeous smile
• your boots!!!
• your Australianisms
• the fact you still have your soft toys
• The way I feel when I'm with you
• your passion for whales and the way your eyes sparkle when you talk about them
• your love of movies
• your zest for paddling and being on the water - your form of meditation
• the way you always ask me about my day
• how amazingly easy you are to talk to and be open with
• your positive energy
• your delicious Belgian waffles and amazing Tiramisu
• the soft little murmers you sometimes make as you fall asleep
• your passion for Mocha
• the fact you are so comfortable to be yourself
• your delicious derriere
• the fact you've lived in so many places and loved them all
• the fact you were willing to go rollerblading without brakes!
• How proud you are of being a fair dinkum Aussie.
• your ability to procrastinate (tax!!) - I can so relate!
• the way you make people feel so comfortable 
• the fact Mack immediately loved you to bits
• your love of couch surfing after a hectic day
• your patience with my navigation fopauxes
• the way you kiss
• the way you confide in me about your ups and downs at work
• your happy, happy, joy, joy booty shaking victory dance!
• your sportiness
• the fact you own a frisbee!
• your love of Thai and discovering Pad See Ew (Yum!)
• your enthusiasm for sustainability and making a difference at work
• the balanced way you see life
• the fact your parents own a Macadamian nut farm and your nut stash - what a bonus!
• how down to earth you are
• watching you put on your work clothes
• your practical minded approach to things
• your ticklishness
• your natural friendliness
• your sense of fun
• your warmth

September 2012

Dear Graeme

Well, it's been quite a few months now since we met in that little place in Kirribilli and I've really enjoyed getting to know you.  Now that you're off to South Africa for 6 weeks, I'm finding that I'm going to miss you not just a little bit, but a lot.  So here are some of the things about you that I dig and I'm going to miss (in no particular order).

• how sweet and considerate you are
• your cute Saffa accent
• your cheeky sense of humour
• how thoughtful you are
• how you celebrate the little things
• you always make me feel beautiful
• how tall you are
• how much you love Mack
• your rollerblading powers
• your encyclopaedic knowledge of films and uncanny talent as a script writer
• that you're not afraid to say how you feel and show your emotions
• how you cry in movies - more than me!
• your gorgeous eyes
• your twitching tendencies and passion for birds
• your booty shaking G-Force dance - you know what I'm talkin' about!
• that you're not afraid to go outside your comfort zone
• that you wear your heart on your sleeve and are not afraid to put yourself out there on your blog.
• your sweet tooth
• your perfect teeth
• your enjoyment of the great outdoors, hiking and the ocean
• your addiction to lists
• your love of hugging
• your enduring positivity
• your enjoyment of discovering Sydney's hidden gems
• your passion for teaching
• your love of photography and eye for detail
• that you are always supportive and listen to my work dramas
• that you are writing a book
• that you're really a big softie (don't worry, I won't tell anyone.)
• your interest in meditation and in exploring your spiritual self
• your reliance on Sheila
• that you're a very good listener
• that you enjoy travelling in off the beaten track places
• that you bring me flowers unexpectedly for no reason
• that you're easy to talk to
• your G-liciousness!

Better stop before I run out of runway, but the list could go on for a while yet!  See you when you get back from South Africa and I'll be cashing in on all those stored up hugs.

Dani xx


May 2013

Dear Dani

Thank you so much for the past year - for the collage of wonderful, fun, special moments we have gotten to share.

As you know, I love lists, so here are just some of the golden moments that I treasure.

• Seeing you for the first time in a little pub in Kirribilli and being so smitten by your gorgeousness, I forgot to pay for your drink!
• The moment the apple juice exploded in the car, and the way you saw the humour in it.
• Putting my arm around you for the 1st time - the joys of sharing an umbrella in the rain!
• Holding your hand for the first time - while rollerblading, and then for the 2nd time at Govinda's.
• Going to the Sydney Olympic park to watch The Footie - and our first sleep over.
• Lazy Sunday morning sleep ins with a mocha and the paper.
• Your amazing Tiramisu - and those delicious Dutch pancakes.
• Lazing on your couch, all spread out, watching many a movie and munching chili chocolate!
• Ice skating with you - it felt very romantic.
• Getting to see you all dressed up for the theatre (Chorus Line)
• Your excitement when we saw dolphins so close on our whale cruise.
• Our cosey cabin in the Blue Mountains - and our struggle to get into it in the dark!
• Some great hikes and walks.
• Your wonderful letter when I went to South Africa
• Getting to have hair at your 40th birthday party - how great you looked in fluoro!
• Going into the Opera House for the first time to see the amazing Matthias Klum - what an inspired gift that was!
• Our photographic expedition around your folk's farm - and sitting on their porch swing.
• Frolicking in the surf with you - at Scott's Head and Port Shepstone - total exhileration.
• Our super road trip along Waterfall Way and sharing a tent with you at Cathedral Rock
• Cycling around Dubbo zoo, photographing cheeky meerkats and other critters.
• Great movies at the Orpheum (like Beasts of The Southern Wild and Argo) - no other cinema comes close!  
• Introducing me to the exhileration of The Banff festival and The Ocean Film Festival
• Watching you outmanoeuvre and triumph over that crafty Mark! 
• The joys of Thai take-away and introducing me to the deliciousness of pad see ew
• Watching you play games with Sally.
• Dessert heaven in the Hunter's Valley - and that mocha of all mochas (yum!)
• Browsing the Saturday markets and browsing the shops 
• Some lazy picnics in the park
• Experiencing dragon boat racing with you - and coming 2nd!!
• Tasting wine in Mudgee and Hunter Valley
• Sailing and kayaking on the harbour - what a beautiful city we live in!
• Showering together in the mornings - what a beautiful sight to start the day!
• Sampling some of our local restaurants
• Our crack cocaine addiction to Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad
• Showing me your baby photos - your cuteness was evident right from the start!
• Doing my little dance for you before bed - and your complimentary ooh la lah's if I'm wearing sexy underwear!
• Snorkeling at Shelley Beach - with you in your pink bikini!!!
• Your great Xmas gift of a slow cooker - and how it inspired me to get cooking.
• Getting to try your Honu - even if I did capsize!
• Delicious roasts cooked in your oven.
• Mack doing everything possible to get onto your lap - how he adores you!

What wonderful moments and memories - and what a treasure you are.  Thank you for such special times.  Thank you for being you.

Love,
G

Farewell Geraldine

Passed away: 27 February 2014

"I would like my life to be a statement of love and compassion--and where it isn't, that's where my work lies."

Celebration of Geraldine's life (March 9)

Letter  (25 November 2013)

Geraldine, you have opened my eyes to indescribable wonder and beauty. Through the consciousness and wisdom that flows through you, I've discovered the power of stillness and prayer and reflection and my experiences of what's within have been so precious and healing that every other experience I've ever had pales in significance. I'll never be the same.  Thank you this priceless gift.  Words aren't enough.

Letter (18 June 2013)

Dear Geraldine  

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your light and your wisdom and your love on Saturday.  Your teachings over the past year have transformed my life already so much.  Saturday for me was a culmination, a turning point, an extraordinary beak through and I'll never be the same again.

First was the revelation that guilt is so low on the ladder - that it veritable sucks up and blocks consciousness.  Second was the revelation of the great healing power of remorse.  Third was the realisation that my life is unfolding according to a divine order, and that I can trust that and surrender to that completely and welcome whatever comes - and that I'll be ok no matter what.  Fourth was your comment, one I've head from you many times before, but for some reason it resonated like a lightning bolt this time: "Pray like mad."  

I haven't prayed since I was a very young child, when I did deeply and regularly, but something happened that scared me and I stopped altogether.  Well, I've started to pray again - pray all the time - and it's opened the gates and I feel like I've come home.  My meditation has given me many glimpses of my divine essence over the past year, and I've wanted to believe so much in the light of my being - that it is there and that's it real, that it's not just wishful thinking.  Experiences I've had over the past few days, through my prayer and meditation, have awakened me to an unshakable certainty.  It's led to a great cleansing and outpouring of pain that has needed to be let free for such a long, long time.  It's led to a deep sense of peace and a deep joy. 

My chat with D the other night was more difficult that I'd even imagined, she was angry and hurt. If I hadn't been with you on Saturday, I would be in a very dark place.  Instead, I've been able to keep my  consciousness flowing, which has helped me to respond with compassion and love - both for her and myself.  And it's been the catalyst to all I describe above.

So, thank you, Geraldine, so, so much.  You are such a light. Consciousness works through you in such profound ways and you've blessed all our lives so, so deeply.

With great love,

Graeme

Letter to Sue on her birthday

Hi there Sue

Happy birthday, birthday girl.  I hope you have a wonderful, fun filled day.

Thanks you very much for your friendship this past year, as always.  It's something I really cherish.  I miss my family in Cape Town greatly, but having family like you in Sydney helps greatly.

Here are some of the things I greatly admire about you and some of the memories from our friendship that I'm really grateful for:

• Your general zest and energy and passion for life - very, very inspiring indeed.
• How positive you always are, even during really tough times like your big operation a little while ago.
• How young at heart you are.
• How you love to laugh.
• Your great love of travel and exploring new places - I can so relate!
• Your passion for photography and taking great shots, we're kindred spirits there too of course.
• What a great friend you are to all your friends - how you constantly keep in touch and nurture your friendship.  Something I've learned from and aspire to.
• Your wonderful, wonderful photography - it's always such a pleasure working on your photos, there are always such gems there.  
• All those merits and credits you've got - it's been a privilege to help select and sometimes work on some of those photos
• Your great encouragement with my own photography - you are always so good for my confidence which is something I struggle with a bit at times as you know.
• Fantastic outings we've been on together - like Hunter Valley, Newtown, Penrith Whitewater, Balmoral, Vivid Festival and more.
• The three musketeers - you, me and wonderful Guy
• Taking my family on that great tour of Palm Beach - they so enjoyed it.
• Taking me out on The Sailing ship in the harbour, a lot of  fun.
• Your love of a good movie, something I enjoy too.
• Treating me to some lovely meals out.
• Your love of Africa and wildlife - and those incredible Safari photos you've taken.
• The fact you cherish your memories so much and savour them, something I've learned from too.
• Your delight in the blog we created together - it was such a fun and fulfilling project , and still is, and it's been great to share in so many of your memories from your life and travels.
• Those delicious meals you've cooked me - how I do appreciate a delicious home cooked meal!
• Your willingness to always learn new things, and how well you've done with your new Apple computer despite it's many frustrations and being so different from your last computer.
• Your love of Mango Groove - what great taste in music!!
• Knowing you're there for a chat if I'm feeling a little down - you never cease to cheer me up!
• Being able to be real with you - I don't have to put on any pretences.
• Your general awesomeness.

All in all, thanks so much for being you!  I look forward to many more years of great friendship.

Have a wonderful birthday and Xmas!

Hugs, G

A lovely letter I received from a student. It makes teaching worthwhile.

Click on it to read...

The Pantanol

This vast natural paradise (the size of Texas!) is Brazil's major ecological attraction and offers a density of wildlife that exceeds even the the Amazon.

During the rainy season from October to March (yes, I was in the thick of it!), the Rio Praguai and other lesser rivers flood much of this low lying region creating patches of dry land where animals congregate. The waters rise as much as 3 metres above low water levels. This limits human habitation and provides a perfect feeding ground for wildlife.

I have aways wanted to visit the Pantanol (what do you expect with 650 bird species to offer!) so was very excited to spend 5 nights in the heart of it. I stayed in a simple lodge built on stilts to combat the annual flooding. Ally was a bit swamped out from Argentina and decided to rather relax on Isla del Mel) off the coast of Curitiba while I battled the mosquitos.

Altogether the Pantanol supports 650 bird species and 80 mammals including jaguars, ocelots, pumas, maned wolves, deers, ant eaters, armodillos, monkeys, tapirs and capybaras. I saw many bird species but mammal sightings were a little more limited due to the lushness of the vegetation at this time of the year.

The Jabiru stalk is one of the largest stalks in the world and is the official symbol of the Pantanol. It is a very impressive bird with a wing span of 3.5 metres.

I really like this photo I took of Monk Parrots in the early morning. They seemed to be having a lot of fun on the branch, all talking at the same time over breakfast. Reminds of me of some other families I have met!

The main mode of transport in the Pantanol as you would expect is by boat. We did a wonderful day trip along a course of rivers - including the beautiful and abundant "Red River" that gets its gorgeous colours from its rich iron content and provides beautiful reflections against the clouds.

Boats and water always seem to bring out the fun in people. Here we are having lots of it. Thanks to Yasuhiko for his fast trigger finger! The other guy in the photo is Greg, a fellow Cape Townian who I met on the trip. Needless to say, we got on famously! SAFA's always know how to have fun.

Another great way of exploring the shallower areas in on horse back. We did some great excursions along water logged paths and saw many birds this way. I also got to experience the thrill of galloping through water - totally exhilerating. Once of the guys in our group is a Canadian farmer who lives on a horse, so the pace was very fast, much to my great delight.

We also went walking through the jungle and had to cross several alligator infested rivers as we moved from island to island. Thanksfully the alligators here do not seem to eat humans, probably as they have so much else to eat.

Marcello was an awesome guide. He is an Indian who was born and grew up in the jungle. He speaks 6 languages and has the eyes of a hawk which came in very useful for spotting wildlife. We were very lucky to get him (he is famous in these parts as the best guide) and to spend time with him and hear his stories and share his vast knowledge. He was tremedous fun too. Amazingly, he seemed to speak fluent monkey language too and watching him howl with the Howler Monkeys is a memory I will never forget.

A great highlight of the Pantanol was the people I got to meet. Our all guy group (Frank from Germany, Greg from Cape Town and James from Canada) were a lot of fun and we all shared the same passion for the wildlife and the outdoors. Frank enjoys photography as much as me so it was great to share tips.

We experienced a couple of impressive downpours, including one while we were on horseback (refreshingly cool). I loved the dramatic clouds.

We went fishing the one day and James the Canadian, caught some Pirhanas. Scary looking, but they don't eat you unless you are dripping blood from a nasty wound. In which case, they would strip you in less than 3 minutes. Needless to say, when we swam we were careful not to cut our feet!

I keep learning cool new camera techniques. Here I discovered the amazing power of my super macro function. You can get your camera so close that you have to be very careful not to knock the poor little critters with your lens. I love modern technology.

The mosquitos were merciless. I was bitten on every inch of my body just about and it got a little much at times - there was just no reprieve! But I certainly did not suffer as much as Marloes and Harold (a great couple from Holland). They went rubber tubing on the first day without mosquito repellant and paid a heavy price. Like the troopers they are, they kept there sense of humour and their backs were much sought after for photos!

The sunsets over the swamp were as beautiful as any we have seen on this trip - and we have been blessed to see a lot of them. Funny how you can never get "sunsetted out", no matter how many you see. Could be the fact that they all look completely different.

Birds

New birds seen

• Bare-faced Ibis
• Jabiru
• Turkey vulture
• Black-collared Hawk
• Solitary Eagle
• Chaco chachalaca
• Common Piping-Guan
• Bare-faced curassow
• Hyacinth Macaw
• Black-hooded Parakeet
• Reddish-bellied Parakeet
• Swallow-tailed Hummingbird
• Ringed Kingfisher
• Green Kingfisher
• Rufous-tailed Jacamar
• Black and white Monjita
• Bananaquit
• Puna Yellowfinch

Letter to Marcello (Pantanol Guide - 04 March 2006)

Hi Marcello

What can I say?  It was awesome and you are awesome!  The best guide ever.  Period.

Here are some reasons why I think so.

• Your fantastic knowledge of the wildlife of the Pantanol.  You showed us so much and told us so many interesting things.
• Your unbelievable ability to spot even the smallest birds and animals from far away.  You can see better than any hawk.  You helped me see 20 new species of birds.
• Blue Macaw and Toco Toucan!!  I wanted to see them - you found them.
• Your passion for the jungle.  It is in your eyes - it is everywhere in you.  It inspires me.
• Your amazing energy.  You always liven people up - no matter how tired they are.
• The incredible way you talk to Howler monkeys.  Awesome!  Its like Dr Dolittle but better!
• Your great sense of humour and fun - you made us laugh so many times.
• The way you let us know about your culture and the peoples of the Pantanol.
• Your knife!  That's one big mother!
• Your ability to make the horses go.  So much fun!
• Opening up and telling us about your life.
• Your great singing voice.  U2 rocks!
• Great volleyball!!

You are amazing and we will never forget our time here.  

Bye for now my friend

Graeme