The waves were tossing us about like the green tossed pieces of salad I had for lunch just before we left the port. Standing up at the front of the boat, the cool breeze and spray of the salt water, reminded me of a time long ago in a place far away. I closed my eyes and in the dark, I remembered, I longed for and missed so much of what was life back then….

Family, friends, the culture of the only home I’d ever known were fading fast on the horizon as we launched out to our new tomorrow; all of yesterday with its beauty and its terror, every moment of life being erased before my eyes, and I wept.

The spray of the ocean mingled with tears that flowed freely and unhindered from my eyes as every fear and uncertainty shouted out relentlessly in my mind and my heart beat hard in my chest. Every single “what if” rang loudly like alarm bells warning of danger, looming unseen, threatening in the great unknown.

But we’re here, and we live. Our hands have helped to build a nation and our loved ones have died in protecting our future. We have had a new beginning, and continue to live free in a land of plenty. We have a future generation that will move us forward into the never ending unknown. We lose much, we yet have much; it is as it has always been. Yes… we have hope…

There's always Hope...

I was sitting in the middle. I always sat in the middle of the back seat. I don’t know why? My older sister and younger brother always fight for the windows but here in the middle I could see more than either one of them. Dad and mum were talking about the neighbour and his dog or something as the road ahead curved and rolled on and on.

Lillian was sitting on the left hand window side, looking at something in her bag. She was missing the whole left side of the world that was passing us by. The beach caravan park with all the caravans and annexes, big bus thingies and tents of many different colours, all lined up in rows. Towels hanging on the ropes, all the different kinds of out door tables and chairs, kids playing footy and other games on the grassy places in between the caravan and tent sites. There were the big trees that filtered the hot summer sun so there was an added strode light effect to the real life movie that was being played on the huge screen all around us.

Bobby sat on the right side window but was busy watching his ant farm. Through his window there was a mountain, big and dark against the high summer sky. Shadows formed features on the mountain face, and with the added colour of the native bush, my mind went into fairy tale mode; oh the magical tales that were told to me by my imagination. I could see the characters in my minds eye and knew their joys and heart breaks personally. There was Friss the water nymph who was allergic to the damp and Connor the gecko who lost his tail and didn’t know where to find it. Let me see now…  Ohh yes! Bokabon the son of the king of dragonflies who woke up one morning and couldn’t fly! Poor Bokky, it all worked itself out in the end though. I was so relieved when we got to the end of HIS amazing little tale.

With the constant running of the motor and the rocking of the car we would eventually drift off into the land where all my friends came to life. That’s were they became real and each of us learned to help the other live and love…

Wattle was bursting into the canopy of trees that covered the path through the bush but it also filled the air with its fresh sweet scent and as the breeze gently moved through the branches, yellow cotton ball like wattle gently kissed the little rabbit as she hopped on her way toward the rainbow.

Then suddenly Rosie was stopped by a small stream that bubbled and tumbled over shiny wet stones; it flowed over the path. Rabbits are not amphibious. Not at all! So Rosie ran up the stream, following its moist warm bank. Her feet gently sank into the soft moss covered earth, and she stopped every now and again to nibble on the sweet green grass that grew abundantly beside the small river bed.

It was getting late for this little rabbit who was used to her burrow filled with family to snuggle and cuddle with during her slumber in the dark of night. By chance, or so it seemed, there appeared or perhaps Rosie noticed, a small burrow like nook in between the roots of one of the trees. Rosie, with out a fear lightly bounced into the warm soft moss and leaf filled bed. It was perfect, as though created just for her, and as her weary eye lids closed, she dreamed of rainbows and happiness.

It was a magical place where eyes and warm loving hearts watchfully cared for our little rabbit slumbering in a bed prepared by unseen hands. Kisses and wishes were gifts freely given and as the future unfolded before her, our little Rosie slept safe and warm contented as the magic of the stream bubbled and tumbled by…

You see, a little rabbit is just that… a little rabbit… and nothing more. Sometimes though, it is a truth easily forgotten. So Rosie Rabbit hopped and hopped towards the rainbow, forgetting who she is and what any of that means.

As she was hopping through the field of long green grass where the white daisies grow, Rosie decided to stop and nibble on the sweet daisy petals.

“Hello there little rabbit”, came a voice that was gentle and kind. Rosie stopped, and while her nose twitched and her ears flopped, her big bright eyes searched for the person from whom the voice had come.

“Ohh hello”, she answered, once spying the small winged creature hidden in the daisy patch. “I’m Rosie Rabbit, and I’m on my way to touch the end of the rainbow. I hope you don’t mind but I was hungry and thought I might nibble on these petals. They do look sweet and I am a little weary from hopping and bouncing along.”

“Not at all little Rosie. There are enough petals here for every one, and if you are going to touch the rainbow, you will need your strength. May I give you a little something else that might help you on your way?” asked the small beautiful creature now smiling at the little rabbit as Rosie nibbles on some more of the petals, and gets her nose covered in soft yellow pollen.

Before Rosie can answer, the gentle creature reaches over and kisses the rabbit right on the nose. Rosie backs up in a fright, sitting up on her back legs staring at the beautiful creature. She kicks and turns; bouncing and hopping away from the daisy patch, setting her sights on the rainbow… the promise of dreams come true…