the roads in the Mid north of SA
It’s funny where life takes you. Often you have know idea what is around the corner, or if you do, it’s completely different to what you thought was going to be there.
I saw a quote on Facebook yesterday and it went something like: ‘Life didn’t go according to plan… But that’s okay.’ To be honest there’s no other choice – if it doesn’t go to how you planned, you’ve just got to suck it up and get on with what has been given to you.
It’s nearly a year since I wrote a post called Choose your own Adventure. At the time, a friend from primary school had just passed away and I was very consumed with the ‘what might have been’ type thoughts. And a bit of my own mortality. Scott missed out on his fortieth birthday by only a couple of weeks. I had just turned forty.
If I’d know how much that post was going to be aimed at me in the next six weeks, I certainly would have had second thoughts about writing it. Obviously I’ve been very quiet on my blog for the last ten or so months and there has been a reason behind it.
As so many other people have done, I had a marriage break up. I left the farm and now I’m living in Esperance with the kids and our little jack russell, Rocket.
It’s been the biggest change of my life. I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed the farm – working with the stock, smelling the fresh air in the morning and watching the sunrise. Out of everything I’ve been through, not being on the farm is the thing that hurts the most. I’m a farmer and a mum first a foremost. The writing gig, as much as love it, is second to these.
My mantra
This quote is what I’ve learned to live by in the last while and I love it so much, I’ve used it in Emerald Springs as Milly’s mantra too.
So, what do you do when things hit the fan big time. (And this is a little diary of what I’ve been doing for the last twelve months.)
Well, you run to your friends. I have the best support network in the world. Carolyn and Aaron, Heather, Em and Pete, Jan and Pete, Robyn and Ross, Amanda, Ann, Shelley, Jenny, Tiffany are just a few but all need to be thanked publicly.
Heather, Rochelle and I on the day of the launch for Emerald Springs
(Excuse the quality of these next few photos! They’re mostly taken at our Sunday night drink club!)
Carolyn and Aaron
My friends have the strongest hands and as I said in the dedication of Emerald Springs: ‘For the people in my life who have always held me up, I’m thankful your hands are so strong.‘ You will always have my heart.
Pete, Em, Carolyn and kids
Then you run to a different part of the state, to more friends! And do things you haven’t done before like go to the tennis.
Robyn and I at the Hopman Cup
I joined The Rotary Club of Esperance Bay. There was a couple of reasons for this. Other than all the fabulous work that rotary does, our Rotary club has a farm. Need I say more? Prickle Farm is part of our fund raising. It has about 900 ewes mated to texel rams and puts in an amount of share crop with one of our other members. It’s a way for me to still be involved in agriculture (which I very much need) and to help my community.
My Rotary badge!
Prickle Farm
I’ve made some new friends and help them out when they need it.
Em and Jack from Colonial Clydesdales
Don’t you just love this little beauty?
Baby and I
I’m now the secretary of The Esperance and Districts Agricultural Society Show committee and with all of this, I seem to be bloody busy!
Of course in all of this, I spend a lot of time at the beach and I have the kids to keep me busy.
Rochelle, Hayden and I
I think my biggest achievement over the past year, other than keeping us all on track, was the fact I finished and delivered to you all, Emerald Springs. It was written under the hardest circumstances I’ve ever experience and there were moments I thought it was never going to be finished in time to give to you all.
Now I’m on to Indigo Storm. I’m busy, and there are still moments that I wonder if I can keep going on, but for the most part, I’m happy and the kids seem to be happy to. As I keep telling them, I’m certainly not perfect and I make mistakes – there isn’t a manual for what we’ve all been through, but I hope I’m doing the best I can for all of us.
So there you have it! My secret life for the past twelve months. I’m hoping to get the blog back up and running and I hope you’ll come on this new journey with me.
I am glad you are doing things your way and hope the future will be bright and happy Fleur x
Thanks so much!
Wow, Fleur, what a journey you have been on since we last met. Wishing you much happiness in your new life, which looks like it is shaping up beautifully xx
Must catch up soon, Sara!
That would be lovely – keep me posted if you are up this way, and I’ll let you know if we get near you! xx
Hi Fleur, wishing you every happiness in your new adventure! None of us know what is around the corner, we know that more the most having lost our son 6 months ago! So you, your children and that new guy enjoy this journey together! Xx
Sending you love and positive energy Fleur! It happens to the best of us and I’ve adopted the mantra of what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger since my marriage broke down. Glad to hear everything is working out for you and the children xxx
Totally, Gabbi.
Yes was sorry to hear about your son, Pauline. I hope you are coping.
Life is a journey, it’s not about the destination but how you live it. Life has its curve balls and sometimes they are not what you want, but I have seen a Beautiful person handle herself this last twelve months with grace and strength, even when sometimes she can’t see it. So proud of you.
You might be slight biased, my friend! xx
Hi Fleur, Your blog has made me remember what i too have been through in the last 12 months. I left my husband last year and took my son with me. Best thing i ever did was leave after 11yrs….. Now we seem to get on better than when we were married. (why did i wait so long i tell myself) My son is happier and i have my new life to try and figure out……
I hope i enjoy my next chapter of my life like you are doing……
Your books are wonderful and keep up the blog…….xoxo
You’ve been on a hard journey too, Katrina. Glad things are looking up for you.
Good on you Fleur for being brave enough to share your journey with your readers. I wish you every happiness as you go forward. Believe in yourself and never, ever stop writing!
Thanks, Delores. Writing is a type of therapy for me now, I think!
Thank you for sharing all of this with us. It has been a journey you have been on and it makes me realise what life is about. Thank you for writing these stories and allowing us into your world. xxx
🙂
Thank you for sharing your difficult journey over the past 12 months. Very brave of you. And how beautifully you have handled it, becoming stronger and happier every day! I admire your strength and courage to keep writing and take each day as it comes. Surrounded by the love of family and friends is a huge blessing… and of course your gorgeous ‘keeper’, Garry. So happy for you. 🙂 xx
Each day as it comes – that’s the best way, Anne-Marie. Thanks.
Wishing you all the best for your life journey Fleur. Thank you for opening up to us and sharing – I hope it helps us all in some way to know we are not alone in our struggles.
Thanks, Tara.
Proud of you darling… you have weathered some serious storms this past year. Only fitting that the next book is about one really. Love you heaps, believe in you deeply, so glad you are my friend. <3 BB
As is Jenny, I think you might be biased, but I love you for it.
What a positive, warming & wonderful read. You are by far one of the strongest and most admirable women I have met!! This is beautiful!
And you just love kickin’ my butt and the gym!
I went on that journey many years ago…and yes….it is strange…and a shock …and yes….my life has gone where I never imagined…but is has been an amazing adventure….and like you….I have two beautiful people who are now adults themselves….
Bless you on the rest of your adventure…. 🙂
And good luck to you, Maev. May the adventures continue.
Wow, hope that all that you want and could wish for keeps you and your family happy and healthy. No one really knows what the future holds for us we can only but try to achieve all that we set out to do. Thanks for sharing with all your readers, may not have been easy to do.
Nope wasn’t easy and took a lot of soul searching to make the choice, but I think after the dedication of my readers, it was only fair to you all in on what was going on! x
So very happy for you Fleur. Don would be so proud, and thrilled for you too.
Bug hugs
Chris x
Hey Chris, I think about Uncle Don so much. xx
To new beginnings Fleur- so pleased the sunshine has made its way back into your life. Bron B x
A heartfelt and honest post Fleur. Sounds like you’ve had the toughest of years but that things are turning around for you. Good luck with the writing of Indigo Storm and I hope that life just keeps on getting rosier.
Hi Fleur,
That’s such a brave post, and a brave journey. I’m glad you’re doing well, involved in ag and the community, and finding a new path in life.
All the very best,
Cath xox
Love love love to you beautiful woman! So incredibly proud of and happy for you. It takes an enormous amount of courage to create change and that you have done and look at where you are now. Good things come to good people, the journey may be trying at times but that helps you to appreciate the good times xx