AUSTRALIA DAY

[Owlunar]

How I wish my adopted son had lived long enough to know the truth that his background was indigenous. He could have stood proudly with both his cultures and perhaps felt his value 

He died in 1986 not knowing the truth - I promised I would find his birth mother and learn the truth and I did. How confusing it must have been for him

On Australia Day this year I want to remember him and stand with him - nothing can change the past but we can change the future for our First Nations

Dec

[Appleblossom]

@Owlunar 

❤️

Hear Hear

❤️

Some articles about the Indigenous flag and the tent embassy.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-60120997 

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-australia-60122063 

[Zoe7]

Hey @Owlunar I do not celebrate this day but stand with you on recognising our long, long history and the hope that we can change the future for ALL our people ...First Nations, immigrants, refugees, those of any colour, religion, sexuality, disability, background, etc. ...the hope that we can provide everyone with a sense of place, space and belonging and a recognition that everyone is equal. We should never forget or dismiss our history but instead learn from it to make positive changes moving forward.

[Eve7]

Well spoken @Owlunar 

Thinking of you today.

I lost a cousin last year who was indigenous and her partner was able to fulfil her desire to be buried in country by her birth mother.

❤️💛🖤

[Shaz51]

Your son knows my forum mum @Owlunar , sending you lots of tender hugs ❤❤❤❤

[MDT]

onya @Owlunar

🙂

[Former-Member]

Standing with you and the memory of you son, along with all the First Nations peoples @Owlunar. Such a loving thing for you to have found his birth mother and to learn his truth. 

I know I'm one day late, but thinking of you today, if you need any extra support please don't hesitate to reach out 🖤💛❤️

Rhye 🌞

[Owlunar]

Thanks for sharing this story @Eve7 

I am so glad to hear your cousin was buried in country with her birth mother -

That is wonderful to read

Dec

[Owlunar]

I am okay @Former-Member - @Zoe7 

I have been feeling a bit useless today - it is painful that I can't be at my aunt's funeral in person - it is an Anglican Requiem Mass too - normally I would participate

It has been some week - my aunt died on Sunday an right now I am waiting for her funeral to be Life-Streamed - it starts in about half an hour

And it's my grand-daughter's birthday tomorrow - she lives on the Sunshine Coast now and saw the tsunami - the waves were very rough and took the beach away but I have heard that nature fixed it all where she lives

And it was Australia Day. My son died a long time ago now and I guess I have reached a stage in life where I am used to the fact though I do have my moments - I had one when I heard about Reconciliation on the News and I do remember a confused teenager who could see his mixed race and was unhappy about being adopted. Things no one could change. I would have ever wanted him to come back as unhappy as he was.

It would have been wonderful if he could have reached some kind of personal reconciliation - perhaps he has now - I do hope so

Dec

[Former-Member]

Oh @Owlunar, that is a lot to sit with. Your strength to walk through all this is truly remarkable. I sincerely hope you're able to do something nice for yourself today and in the coming weeks, to nurture yourself and to honour the feelings that might arise with these events and their coinciding nature 💜

I'm also profoundly sorry to hear that your son struggled with his identity. So many of us can do better within our communities to ensure people like your son never have to live with that turmoil.

I do hope the service/s are a beautiful way to honour your loved ones.

Rhye ☘️