The Visitor

I pine for conversation with a lifetime of knowing and the intimacy of a facial or body expression that only family knows. It is only a week after sister Michele visited. Already, as with many holiday visits to and from friends and family, memory becomes dreamlike as if the twelve days here were just a whisper of moments passed.

No, I shout in frustration and sadness at this loss of the physical see, touch, talk and smell, the brother sister hugs and laughter released at spontaneous times.

Smile I do at the curious and diverse conversations had ranging from religious fundamentalism as it is now in Malaysia, our political future under the current regime, idiot Pommy (English) bands stuffing up music festivals, Robodebt nastiness, the “Voice” haters in Aus, cat antics here and in Tasmania and of course the most loved of all plants and flowers.

Art, the stunning watercolour wildflower paintings gifted by Michele for two family weddings and a birthday. Lego! Something integral to my childhood and here she is pulling a big box of it (2000 + pieces) out of her suitcase being the Taj Mahal! Wonderful and addictive it was for days after in its assembly.

Always food and food of many varieties to be tasted and compared from Peranakan style in Malacca to the wife’s (Shakirah) home cooking. The colours, arrangements, food source and above all the ingredients for taste sensation always finely and tastefully dissected.

The Gin and tonic sunset tradition, almost forgotten at my end but revived by the visitor with sliced juicy limes from our garden to top them off.

Watching Michele at her photographer best creating astonishing images from the I phone that had me in awe and wonder at her art. She has a serious eye for composition of the image.

So many things of fun in such a short time , knowing something is missing from this monologue of recent memories.

What is it? Oh yes – “Clunk, snick, bowled!, howzat!, yorker!” ….and more. Yes, the Ashes Test Cricket between our ex Colonial masters England and Australia. Before this, we watched together in digital world being thousands of kilometres and two hours time difference apart. Whatsapp observations and commentary between us almost feeling like we were sitting on the couch together watching, but no.

Now, together at last, two cricket addicts together for the first time in 30 plus years watching the entertaining drama with all its twists, controversies, comedy and cricket nuance. All done in front of the mobile phone nestled in Michele’s glasses case like a mini boom box. Telecast via dodgy re-streaming sites that occasionaly glitch on my phone or via VPN that still glitches on Michele’s phone. Minor inconveniences that did not deter our watching resolve.

Our conversation bubble together with the rest of the local family visiting for a supposed Party to honour her visit, with the two of us wonderfully and selfishly oblivious to the 20 or so others. Eyes glued, cricket language conversations, moans, groans, grrrrr’s and laughter was all they could hear.

My apologies family, but in many ways neither of us cared. A rare treat that will be forever treasured. PS: You Poms – we retained the Ashes no matter your so called “moral” victory. It is sport at the highest level and played within the rules!

Always too short this vacation time of fun and togetherness with family. Always the best of memories, no matter how much they become a dream state not long after.

Big love and hugs to you Michele, the visitor.