“I don’t care if we have our house, or a cliff ledge, or a cardboard box. Home is wherever we all are, together,”
~ James Patterson
It hasn’t been the same, without Ben at home – while we’ve here, in the city, waiting for him to be well enough to leave hospital.
We’re not used to city life anymore. I’m realising how much time I spend in my garden back at the farm. How much I rely on my vegetable patch and my pots of herbs. How conditioned I am to having access to fresh produce at the roadside stalls and farmers markets. In Brisbane the vegetables I buy are already old. There is nowhere to compost my scraps. No cows waiting at the fence for the tops of the beetroot, or a frilly edge of lettuce or cabbage leaf. It feels quite disconnected.
The dogs have slouched around during the day, sleeping fretfully or standing by the door, gazing out over the street, waiting for Ben to return, waiting for us to all climb into the truck and head back to the farm. They are yearning to get home to the paddocks, to run wild down on the flats, to swim in the river and dams, to have the wind in their hair and the sun on their back. So am I. We’re all so homesick.
At night the dogs have been on high alert, keeping me safe from cars going down the street, possums on the roof, pedestrians and neighbourhood cats. Of course, with all of the G20 helicopters roaring around the Brisbane rooftops at all hours of the night, the stimulation level has been insane. All night Harry and Bert tense and bark and worry, protecting me from threat. It’s exhausting for them, after which they mostly sleep during the day. Me? I’m so sleep-deprived I feel like a new mother.
But today Ben is home, and the feeling we all have is relief. To all be together, no matter where we are, is enough.
We need to stay in the city a little longer, close to hospitals while Ben completes his recovery. That’s okay. We’ll nap and catch up on some rest.
It will all be fine. Home is here, in our hearts.
Harry sums it up well for all of us…
We just can’t stop smiling!
Dogs know just how to nail an emotion with just one look. So glad things are looking up for you and Ben…….. and the pups!
good news and smiles all around…YES!
YAY… BEN IS HOME!!! I’m keeping the candles burning for both of you — may you all be at your “real home” soon. Love always, Mudd xox (that’s one crazy funny smile on Harry… too cute!)
Ahhhhhh such sweet chaps and the smile on Harry’s face is priceless …you have captured it just right . Glad to hear Ben is almost back with you all so you can be a family again . Thank you for your kind response on face book cos I still don’t know what I’m doing but I’ll get there . Enjoy your gorgeous family ,
Cherryx
I’m glad Ben is home again with you all and that he is fully recovered very soon so you can all go back to your lovely farm.
xx Geraldine
Great news Ben is home.
Your dogs are gorgeous, cute and a wacky!
I so get what you mean about the disconnect in the city,I’m hearing ya and I feel for you too. Wishing you both good health and that you’ll both be back in the country soon. xoxo
So Happy to hear Ben is well and home safe. As for Harry well what can you say about that face it made me laugh so hard thank you
Anita x
Really pleased to hear that Ben is well on the road to recovery. A few days catching up on your rest will be good, before you all head home away from the outlandish security measures 🙂 I know the G20 is expected to boost Brisbane’s tourism dollar, but one wonders why the summit couldn’t have been staged at some quiet resort in one of our hinterland areas where it would have created a lot less disruption to our city’s day-to-day life. You, Ben and the boys are really very lucky to have your tranquil farm to escape back to. Heal, and relish your lifestyle, Nicole xox
Lovely to hear you are all together again. The furry boys sound like they’ve been doing a stirling job. Even better is that Ben is back home. He was a while in hospital, so he would be stoked to be home just as much as you guys were to have him there. Win/win all round 🙂
I love, love, love dogs and I love seeing the photos of Bert and Harry. I also love the way you write. I can’t get enough of your words xox
Gosh, I think the same thing when I go back to the city. No chickens to eat the scraps, constant barrage of man made sights and sounds. It does feel very disconnected, and it reminds me a little of the bubble I live in, and how unsustainable city living is. And what about the reminders of the consumer culture everywhere you look? I hope you’ll be home soon, and I’m glad Ben is recovering. Xo
So glad to hear Ben is on the road to recovery. Harry looks quite ecstatic that you are all a family together again. I don’t think anything tears at your heartstrings more than being apart from loved ones and being out of the comfort of home would make it twice as difficult. Enjoy your quiet times together now Ben is out of hospital. Sending love and healing wishes to you both xx
Wonderful news about Ben, Nicole, and what a joy for you all to be together again once more. Wishing Ben all the best for a continued recovery, and to you in catching up following sleep deprivation.
What beautiful post Nicole, my heart is with you on living in the city. can’t imagine both being able to pick fresh herbs and veggies. plus local fresh produce. So happy to hear Ben is home. wishing him a speedy recovery Blessings xxoo
Harry’s smile! Beautiful. 😋Glad to hear your husband is on the mend Nicole.
So happy for all off you that you are back together again. Lots of strength and ongoing healing for Ben and yourself. Harry’s expression is priceless, how happy is he!!! Lots of Love to you and your beautiful family.
Sending you and your family lots of love, light and angel kisses as Ben makes a speedy recovery xxxxx
So glad to read that Ben is home from hospital, hopefully it will not be much longer before you can return to your farm and the life you prefer.
Happy Ben’s on the mend. Love the photos of the dogs and I’m sure they’re doing a phenomenal job of protecting you. Maybe a couple of dogs are needed for G20 instead of the helicopters.