Over the past few weeks I've been thinking
a lot about when we first moved here. About who we were then, who we wanted to become, what we saw in this place and what we wanted to create. I'm not sure if its springtime, if its the renewed perspective after the caravan trip, or if its the fact that I can see our vision coming to fruition, but its on my mind all the time.
Twelve-ish years ago, we made a decision to stop fighting and protesting against all the things in the world we disagreed with, and to create something beautiful instead. To make something we could be proud of, to grow amazing, organic fruit and veg, to improve our piece of the world and to bring up some great kids and have a wonderful family life together.
This morning on our egg round I couldn't get the last two out of my head.
Back then when we were making plans to move our lives from the Melbourne suburbs to the country, I dreamed it would include a life lived WITH my farmer boy. I didn't want him to ride off on his bike to work anymore. I wanted him here with me. I wanted to live our lives together. To make plans together and make them happen together.
I wanted to bring up children who understood where their food came from and to play an active role in growing it. I wanted them to understand the role of the seasons, the weather and the insects and animals.
I wanted them to breathe lots of fresh air, to be able to get dirty, to have lots of room to run and climb and dance and no neighbours so they could scream as loud as they needed to.
I wanted them to love and honour and respect and care.
And I wanted to bring up children who could run free. Who would have wild imaginations. Who weren't frightened to take risks.
This morning on the egg run I thought about that Kate of 12 years ago and I whispered to her. I told her that although she was making a tough decision to move away from her family and friends and the life she had always known, that it was the right decision. That it was the only decision. That she could have all this and more. That it is possible.
Have a gorgeous Sunday
Keep dreaming.
I am.
x
What a wonderful and wise decision you made back then..x
ReplyDeleteOh my <3!!!
ReplyDeletexxoo
Beautiful xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful reflection. A woman after my own heart! I think we share some ideals in common...you might like to have a look at my blog www.thesolsticewriter.com. I've only stumbled across Foxs Lane recently and am loving your thoughts and beautiful photos. :)
ReplyDeleteJust lovely Kate, so great you have been able to turn your dream to a reality, and it is so important to reflect and realise how far you have come. Dreams are so important to have, we moved out of the burbs looking for something similar, although my hubbie doesn't work from home so it's a bit different, but I feel we are living the life we want and bringing up our kids on our own terms, and I feel happy when I remember that. Have a great school hols! Julie :)
ReplyDelete12 years ago I made almost the same decisions. To leave behind a life of protests and meetings and community action and anger and being angry at "the man" and "globalisation" etc and to take a chance on a Chef who convinced me and my dog to move with him to the green valley with the waterholes and the clean air and the slower pace. i was leaving behind my friends and family too and I later found out they all thought I would be back in 6 months. But they were wrong, and 12 years later I am so glad I took that chance, on Chef and on this crazy little town. I wanted to get out of the rat race, I wanted a life like I had when I was little playing outside and being free and I knew I would never have that in Sydney. I was thinking about children yet although they were a while away I knew the life I wanted for them. we had grand plans for complete self sufficiency but realised thats fine if you don't need to work for money as well. Over the years we have found a balance of doing what we can and some years doing a lot and some years doing little. We are raising a little girl who knows where her food comes from - the backyard mostly- and how important it is is to look after the earth.
ReplyDeleteI wish I too could whisper to that Cath of 12 years ago and tell her not only will it all be ok it will be even better than you ever dreamed it could be and you will wake up everyday feeling blessed a thousand times.
xx
Dear Kate,
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful words.
They made me teary.
How beautiful your world is.
Thankyou for sharing with us...M x
Lovely post - thankyou. I am about to make a big move and its reassuring to read your words.xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful dream!!
ReplyDeletexxx Alessandra
I love your blog. I am about to start my own dream, I move in November...
ReplyDeleteNovember is SOON!
DeleteGood luck, I hope your move is smooth and wonderful.
it's lovely to see what's possible. That's a great line, create something beautiful instead. Very positive. Heather x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Well done for making it real. xK
ReplyDeleteInspiring - particularly for me on the brink of big change! Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteOoooo, how exciting.
DeleteGood luck and have fun AJ.
Lovely Kate, just lovely.
ReplyDeleteVery inspirational words !
ReplyDeleteBut I'm also very curious about the first three photographs : what are they doing ?
Thank you A.
DeleteI think they were trying to make natural paint and then they were carving their names in the stump.
But also to remember that what holds for one person is not another person's dream and that it takes all sorts to make a world. In all sorts of places doing all sorts of things. Dreams can come true but when they do real life steps in which is sometimes hard.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! I can only write from my own perspective.
DeleteMy blog - my dreams.
A glorious post and a beautiful dream.
ReplyDeleteAnd I will, keep dreaming, and hope like you they come true xo
Beautiful photos and words Kate...a little Sunday night inspiration for all of us :)
ReplyDeletethis is such a lovely post to read before i drift off to bed, really lovely x
ReplyDeleteI love your dream
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Chile
What a wonderful post, so beautiful and inspiring.
ReplyDeletexo
feel this post so much, it took us a while to move - but it was the right time. To that place the kids can dream and wonder and grow and raise chooks... It was the right thing for us too! xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful x
ReplyDeleteLovely.
ReplyDeleteTotally excellent, empowering post, m'dear! xx
ReplyDeleteKate - you and your crew are just the bees knees! Good on you for carving a beautiful life for yourselves. xxx
ReplyDeleteEchoing everyone else I too have to say that this is such a beautiful and inspiring post.
ReplyDeleteOn a less inspiring note, I wish I could go back a few years and whisper to myself "stop eating dairy and get your thyroid checked", could have saved my self a lot of pain! :)
You guys look like you are living the best life-honest and true and full of meaning. I love your blog and I have loved getting to know your through your stories.
ReplyDeleteTash
*getting to know YOU! x
DeleteHi Kate...Go Kate! I think you are pretty much accomplishing what you set out to do..that's very inspiring to see.
ReplyDeleteHi Kate,
ReplyDeleteA little note from far away, Holland. This weekend I ran into your blog. I read about the trip to Australia and all your doubts and decions. Due to a dental surgery I had to stay on the couch. But your words and images made me feel cheerful, thanks for that! I will follow your blog from now on. Sorry for my crappy English, hope the message is clear... Karen
Kate you are an inspiration to many, thanks for sharing your beautiful thoughts :)
ReplyDeleteXx
Oh Kate you KNOW this speaks volumes to me. So much. We are you and Farmer Bren, 12 years ago, trying to find our home, our place. I have just the same hopes for our not yet started family, and I have a deep faith that everything will be just fine x
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your lovely dream Kate.
ReplyDeleteHow brave of you to follow it,
how wise of you to stop & take stock,
and realise that you are living it,
how inspiring of you to share it.
This post fuels the fire of my dream,
and reinforces yet again,
that if you believe and work towards it,
and are brave and take a leap,
it will be.
thanks x
Just lovely. You are indeed extremely blessed xxx
ReplyDeletekate, this is so inspiring...and made me very emotional.thank you
ReplyDeleteOver time, purge what do you get your boyfriend of this
ReplyDeletesound familiar toyou? How what do you get your boyfriend often do not brag about it.
It's just a smile and gratitude. A loveless relationship only leaves a trail of broken hearts and mends none.
Feel free to surf to my homepage: get a boyfriend