You get some great, amazingly fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do?

I had to think hard about this daily prompt. The news in the last two years hasn’t been the best. First there was my Nan passing away in December 2022, then Steve and my Dad getting diagnosed with cancer a week apart from each other, then both of them passing away, Dad in July 2023, and Steve in January 2025. When life keeps on kicking you whilst you’re down, it’s hard to hold onto your strong and resilient self. I did eventually opt for antidepressants as I knew I needed help. Perhaps that was the strongest thing I could have done for myself and my family. I knew they needed me and I couldn’t pour from an empty cup.

The last time I got amazing news was November 2022. Steve and I were facing homelessness with our two dogs, three cats, and five kids if we remained in the rental system. We had got our financial selves to the point where we were mortgage contenders and put an offer on a beautiful house that would accomodate our large family. It was scary to know we could be gazumped (otherwise known as someone else putting in an offer after yours has been accepted) but we got to the unconditional stage of our contract and the sold sign went up.

The first thing we did was go to the house and pose for a sold selfie!

The next thing we did was take our family out to dinner to celebrate. We were living at the end of Canberra at that stage where we could go on an adventure to the bus, and then to the light rail into the city to explore and find a fabulous restaurant to eat. Travelling together, exploring together, and experiencing a good life together is still important to me and mine today.

There is an anti side to how we celebrate, and that would be how we respond to mourning.

Steve and I were encouraged by my work to start doing things on his bucket list. I’m so glad we listened to my work because it gave us some beautiful and happy memories together whilst he was still alive. If we had listened to people being negative about it, we would not have had the loving end for Steve that we did, full of togetherness and with an unbroken bond.

Steve and I went on a cruise with our friends and it was the happiest I’d ever seen him. He really lived over those few days.

When we came back, we booked another cruise for us and the kids. Unfortunately, Steve passed away not even 1.5 months after we got back and the kids decided the cruise was something we had to cancel as we couldn’t fathom going without Steve with us. In mourning, we don’t celebrate. We cancel plans and withdraw from life.

As sad as it is to cancel plans, sometimes you just need to take time to recover from the really bad news. One day, we will recommence a full and wonderful life, but that time is not here yet.

For tonight, I will leave you with this quote:

“Bad news travels at the speed of light; good news travels like molasses.”

Tracy Morgan

Until tomorrow, KT18Ø.