Today we come together to celebrate, and honour, a life – Elaine’s – the woman we love, and each know, and a woman of her time.
I think My Mum Elaine was a builder
A builder of family
A builder of community
A builder of faith, of compassion, and of friendship
A builder of possibilities, and of hope
A builder of love.
And in this way, Elaine made many things possible!
As we each well know.
My mum lived with courage and compassion and strong belief .She had faith in God, faith in herself (overall) and, importantly, also faith in others.
Along with that, her determination and tenacity, combined with her deeply felt compassion and a giving love, largely underpinned all that she did and achieved.
Mum had a great sense of fun, and a cheekiness that could be infectious and endearing – and even annoying sometimes. She was smart, she was curious, and she had spunk!
Elaine was caring, and she contributed much – to her family/our family, her friends and the wider community.
Even in living with Alzheimer’s, Elaine maintained her strong spirit, determination, and cheeky ways.
And these are some of the ways in which we have known Elaine and loved her –
- As our New Zealand family – the place where she grew up, and eventually met Logan (through her dear school friend – his sister!) and where they started their own family.
- As the brave young woman, who at 25 went across ‘the ditch’ with her new husband and two little kids, leaving her ‘comfort zone’, knowing no one in Australia. (I often told her how ‘in awe’ I was of her for doing this).
- As the young wife and mother, supporting her husband Logan in his new career – balancing raising their two children, keeping ‘house’, working weekends – and all the while, growing her connection with her new surroundings and new people – so much so that she developed a number of life-long friends during this time.
- As the woman who loved books and shared her love of reading – whose main working career was with book shops – Macquarie Children’s Bookshop in Parramatta initially, and then with the Uni Co-Op Bookshop, where she ended up managing three of their campus branches.
- As the congregation of Carlingford Uniting Church, where she grew in fellowship and, as part of her care and compassion and faith, became an Elder in the Church.
- As the woman who loved art and culture, classical music – playing piano, singing in the choir, going to concerts and plays.
- As the adventurous woman, who embraced family sailing holidays, scuba diving trips and overseas travel, and eventually an active ‘retirement plan’ with Logan when they moved to Kangaroo Valley to build their new home and establish themselves in a new community.
- As the compassionate woman who, many years ago, chose to become a foster mum, who would lend a hand when she saw a need and who made time to get to know people, to have a chat and to share both worries and laughter.
- As the active community volunteer, with her long-term involvement with the Kangaroo Valley Pioneer Museum.
Elaine did all this, with normal human frailty, and insecurity, but with an almost boundless source of energy and inspiration and positivity – because she chose to care!
Today we celebrate the legacy, the smiles, the laughs and the joy, the many memories Elaine gave us all.
One of Mum’s favourite pieces of wisdom, which I think embraces much of what she aspired to, and also how she tried to live her life, are these words by Helen Keller:
“One can never consent to creep, when one has the impulse to soar.
May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.
May you use the gifts that you have received and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content with yourself, just the way you are.
Let this knowledge settle into your bones and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.”
Elaine Apperley – A Life Well Lived xx
