Candi Heads Home

When we flicked on the lights of the townhouse in Darlinghurst after the return trip from Bexley North it seemed vaguely different to me.  For the past week this had been Candi and my base for all of our activities since we arrived in Sydney. I felt that we had done a pretty good job of adapting to our strange surroundings and lending a hand wherever we could during this last busy, stressful week.  Our focus had been on doing all the things we were able to support our other family members in dealing with this unforeseen tragedy.  As I looked around the ground floor of the townhouse I saw the collateral of some of that work; copies of The Sydney Morning Herald from 11 October, pages of yellow notebook paper with notes that I had handwritten; booklets for cell phones and calling plans; business cards for funeral directors and copies of documents. 

We were able to get through this past week with the unbelievable love and support of so many.  It was a lonely feeling being in that townhouse in Darlinghurst on the night we said goodbye to our son and brother separated from our American families by 8,000 miles.  Although we were there with our Aussie relatives and friends the thought of the other people that cared about us in California and Texas that could only know what we were experiencing through short phone conversations and email exacerbated that loneliness .  I appreciated Candi's company more than she could know, her desire to make everyone feel loved and less sad and her let's get it done spirit.   So much of what I thought I knew about my children before this past week I concluded I didn't really know at all.  As a parent the default perspective of your child gravitates toward what they need and what you are able to provide to fill that need.  In the case of my son I learned that I was ultimately powerless to influence the course of his destiny.  As for my 3 daughters, I found them to be pillars of strength far beyond what I had previously allowed myself to understand and fully capable of handling that which life sends their way.

Candi and I sat at the little bar in the kitchen and traded perspective about the day.  She was anxious to get home to her 2 young children and husband that she had left so abruptly.  She figured she could pack her suitcase in the morning and we would pick it up after our outing to the zoo and head to the airport so that she could catch her flight home that evening.  She listed the little gifts she had picked up through the week for her children knowing they would be expecting Mom to bring them "something" from her trip.  I made sure she knew I would wake her in plenty of time to allow her to get her things together before we had to head out to Circular Quay in the morning.  We then decided it was time to ascend the stairs to bed.

I awoke as early as usual the following morning. After a cup of coffee I set out on my walk and to phone Mitzi to give her the outline of what took place the previous day.  It was impossible, as hard as I tried, to properly explain the feelings and emotions that ebbed and flowed throughout the events of 13 October.  She was as supportive and understanding as always but I'm sure wanting much more information than I could provide walking up and down the streets of Darlinghurst speaking into a mobile phone.  When I finished my conversation with her I headed back indoors to wake Candi a little earlier than usual so that she could have time to get her things together for the trip home.  Melissa rang to let us know that she and others would meet us at the Ferry Terminal to Taronga Zoo at 10:00 a.m..  I assured her we would make our way there.  Candi and I scrounged up breakfast from what we already had on hand and decided to walk the 20 minutes, or so, to Circular Quay as it was another beautiful, sunny day.

We met Robin, Melissa, Jeanette and Mag at the agreed upon time and boarded the ferry for the trip to the zoo.  Taronga Zoo is located on some of the most valuable real estate in the world.  Views across Sydney Harbour, back into the city and out to the Harbour Bridge are afforded throughout the grounds.  It was nice for all of us to have a normal, somewhat relaxing day, of sorts, and spend some time together enjoying the exhibits.  We made a special effort to visit the Meerkat display which was always one of Geoff's favorites along with all of the displays of indigenous Australian animals. 

When we disembarked after the ferry ride back to Circular Quay we said goodbye to Jeanette and Maggie and we walked the few short blocks to the parking garage at the Sir Stamford Hotel where Robin had left her car.  It was early afternoon and Robin suggested we take a drive to Bondi Beach where we could go for a walk and have a look around as there was still plenty of the day left before we needed to have Candi at the airport for her long ride home.  Bondi Beach was gleaming in the bright sunlight when we arrived.  Given that it is one of the most famous surfing beaches in the world we stripped off our shoes and took a walk in the sand at the edge of the surf.  We people watched and tested the temperature of the ocean while also observing the board riders from the crescent shaped shoreline.  We conversed about the events of the previous days and plans for our short term futures.  Candi shared stories she had heard from her husband and children about Tanner's birthday party that hadn't been told before.

When it was time we climbed back into the car and headed back to Darlinghurst where we picked up Candi's already packed luggage while Robin double parked and then made our way to Kingston Heath Airport.  Robin dropped Melissa, Candi and me curbside of the International Terminal so we could get Candi checked in while Robin found a spot to leaver her vehicle in the carpark.  We navigated through the V Australia Airlines check in process uneventfully and Candi insisted on treating us to an early dinner while waiting until she needed to make her way through the security routine before boarding her flight.  At the appropriate time we accompanied her to the last spot where those without boarding passes were allowed after winding our way through the various duty free shops and following hugs, kisses and tears we watched her walk through the doors separating the security screening process from the rest of the airport.