26 January 2008
by 
9 Comments
It’s Australia Day today. Australia Day is similar to the American Independance Day. Of course, instead of celebrating the end of a civil war we celebrate the founding of a new land, a new country, under the mantle of England.
The day is a joy-filled one. Here in Perth, people are pretty nice. Families gather around the state, enjoy the summer sunshine at the beach along the coast or get together for a barbeque before driving out to see the fireworks.
We sing the national Anthem, loudly, proudly, all knowing the words, some even remember what they mean. We sing a few other Australian classics as the night sky, sun just set and stars twinkling, bursts into technicolor explosions.
Days like this are a writer’s fantasy. I sit on the dry scrub hill overlooking the lake in the center of my town where our local fireworks display is in full bloom. My childrens’ faces are alight with excitement, amazement, their hands clasped over their ears because of the noise.
Hundreds of people gather every year for the local fireworks and thousands, tens of thousands, come from all over the state to see the city fireworks. We used to have a yearly tradition to drive into Perth to see the skyshow. It was always spectacular but not a trip a woman and two young kids should make alone, especially the drive home afterwards when 80% of the people on the road have probably had too much to drink.
As I watch the fireworks I listen to extended family around me. They talk of their day, of the display this year, and of the summer heat. It got to around 40C (103F) today. Bushfires leave a haze that made the sunset a dull brown.
Do you write about days like this? Do you hear the dialogue, absorb the atmosphere? There is a story here. A story of the birth of a land, of a people who stand tall, proud, and rejoice to see another year of burning sun and a relaxed peaceful atmosphere.
We’re a youthful country. Secluded for the most part. Sheltered, distinctly alone in the world. We’re unique, set apart from other countries by our size and distance.
I look at Australia on a day like today and see the face of a child, living a celebration in every moment. We’ve had our tragedies, our cyclones, droughts, fires, floods. We’re a hardy people who pull through, rebuild, start over, persevere. How long before the land falls to fallowed lines of age?
There is a story here.
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I look at Australia on a day like today and see the face of a child, living a celebration in every moment.
Ah, brilliant! I loved reading every word of this post, Rebecca. You’re such a breath of fresh air, so inspiring.
Thanks so much for sharing your traditions, thoughts, and brilliant mind with us!
Happy Australia Day!
*glances out the window and takes note of the gloomy day… sigh…*
Enjoy the sunshine!
Smiles,
Michele
Yes, there is a story there. I especially liked the line about the furrows. Kansas is a young place too according to the Europeans that plowed it and left if furrowed and dust-blown. Slowly, the land takes back what was torn from it.
Thank you both for your lovely comments. I love celebrations and holidays. They always bring out the spirit of unity, love, and tradition. I’m, perhaps, old fashioned at heart but I adore days like Australia Day, Easter, Birthdays, Christmas. It’s about family and togetherness.
Rejoice in the gloomy days too, Michele. The rain rebirths the world, restores life to plants that get too much sun in the summer months. The balance of the seasonal cycle is vital to the health and vitality of our world. I actually love the rain and cloud far more than the damaging sun but it is important to remember how important they both are to the ecosystem of our fragile Earth.
There are stories in everything that happen around us, every single moment. If we could capture 1/millionth of these stories on the page and publish 1% of those we’d die rich and happy. Don’t forget to look with a writer’s eye and a writer’s heart or you’ll miss the opportunies that are everywhere.
Rebecca,
The style of writing you have used in this post, and the one on the waterfall of ideas, amazes me. You have that story teller knack, which makes each word come alive….. that doesn’t come easy to a lot of us.
When I think of why I started blogging, it wasn’t necessarily that I liked to write, it was because I wanted to share, and help others…through writing/blogging. Now that I have been blogging for almost a year, I’m analyzing what I publish, a little bit more, and am beginning to look at my writing “style”.
I don’t want to be “just another blog” that says blah, blah, blah. My goal is to get my readers involved, become smarter consumers, ask more questions, and leave my pages, with a little more knowledge.
I’ll be spending more time in your cyber home, trying to learn more about the actual writing process.
Thanks again for making me feel so welcome.
My pleasure, Barbara. You wouldn’t believe how blissed and blessed I feel when I read your compliments for The Writer’s Round-About. Getting readers involved, asking questions, and learning is a huge part of what I want from this site. I also strive to share, make the experience of following your dreams easier for others, instill belief and encourage the future. The only way you can do that is to be giving and truly share your heart and experiences with anyone who wants to learn.
I’ll have to direct some posts in the near future specifically to my writing process. I’ve never really thought about HOW I write, I just do it. I don’t like to think it is ‘talent’ because I’ve worked hard to learn all those little details that matter. Writing is a craft, all you need is a passion to share, a love of language, and the desire to learn. You have all of these and already provide amazing entries on your own blog.
In fact, I’m learning so much from your blog too. It is fantastic that we can both learn from each other. Instead of a one sided Mentor/Protege relationship we’re a Mentor/Protege/Mentor/Protege. *chuckles* Does that make sense? We learn new things from each other.
Thank you for your friendship!
I enjoyed looking at your website but have to mention that the independence day (July 4th) celebrated in America has nothing to do with the end of the Civil War. It is in celebration of the 1776 beginning of a new country apart from Englands rule. The Civil war was not until the 1860’s. I celebrate both holidays as I am an American Australian. Thank you for allowing me to give feedback.
Thanks for the insight regarding the American Independence Day, Barb. I’ve often wondered what celebrations mean around the world as most of us learn only the holidays of our home country. Learning the cultural differences of other societies is fascinating.
Thank you for your feedback!
Rebecca Laffar-Smith shares: Write at WRA: Our Collaborative Blogging Project