My brother the Olympian
Regular readers will have noticed that it's been several weeks since my last post. Needless to say plenty has happened. In fact recent events have almost surpassed those of a prime-time soap opera. In my wildest dreams I couldn't have crafted a plot to outpace the last two weeks and consider it credible.
First up, my father went into hospital for a second round of major cancer surgery. A two hour operation saw five tumours safely removed from his liver. All tests confirm that his cancer has been successfully contained. He'll live for many more years in perfectly good health. Dad's condition is so rare that the liver specialist admitted this was the first such case he'd encountered in his entire professional career.
A few days later my brother Hamish heard that he'd been selected to join the Austrian Olympic Team in Beijing. He'll be a mechanic for the Mountain Bike team. As a member of the support crew he'll participate in the Closing Ceremony. It's incredible to think that he'll be on centre field inside Beijing's stunning Birdnest Stadium during the closing festivities.
However, as with all good soap operas, our run of good news came to an abrupt end on Friday, July 11. The previous day Garry and I flew to Berlin with my best friend Brendan and his partner, Grant, for a three-day weekend. Our plans were disrupted early the next morning by news that Grant's mother had died unexpectedly in Sydney. Airline strikes and schedule challenges meant that Grant couldn't fly home until Monday morning. He eventually decided there was little he could do for 48 hours and we all agreed to continue with the weekend in Berlin. I'll share more about our time away in a later post.
Grant's news was followed on Sunday evening by word that my Auntie Pam's partner had also passed away. Bob had been unwell for some time so his death was not unexpected. However, as with any death, her news was heart-breaking to hear. Sadly my Mum couldn't travel to be with her sister as my Dad had just been discharged from hospital after his major surgery.
Our soap opera week was taken to another level barely 24 hours later. Hamish contacted the family early Tuesday morning to share news that his father-in-law had died. Hermann Wieser was 68 and in perfect health. His passing was completely unexpected and came as a huge shock to all of us. Hermann's funeral was held in Kitzbuhel yesterday. I flew in from London along with nine other people to attend the service and burial.
The service, while conducted in German, was very moving. It was held in an old, ornate and gilded Catholic church overlooking the town. Its hillside location is stunning, surrounded by towering mountains. The service was well attended with standing room only. I was particularly moved when the sun briefly appeared as the funeral procession slowly made its way to the grave site. The alpine backdrop, traditional churchyard and sombre stream of black-clad mourners all lit by brief sunshine were the hallmark of a classic Hollywood scene. As I reflected on the moment I couldn't think of a more fitting tribute to a life well-lived.
With so much sadness in the air it was almost a relief to close off recent events with a family celebration. Today was my niece's sixth birthday. With so many people still in town it seemed appropriate to come together and celebrate a life that's just beginning. Nicole was excited to receive lots of shiny new toys and was just as happy to share a large icecream cake with the extended family. Hopefully our soap opera session has now run its course and life is back to its more mundane pace.
First up, my father went into hospital for a second round of major cancer surgery. A two hour operation saw five tumours safely removed from his liver. All tests confirm that his cancer has been successfully contained. He'll live for many more years in perfectly good health. Dad's condition is so rare that the liver specialist admitted this was the first such case he'd encountered in his entire professional career.
A few days later my brother Hamish heard that he'd been selected to join the Austrian Olympic Team in Beijing. He'll be a mechanic for the Mountain Bike team. As a member of the support crew he'll participate in the Closing Ceremony. It's incredible to think that he'll be on centre field inside Beijing's stunning Birdnest Stadium during the closing festivities.
However, as with all good soap operas, our run of good news came to an abrupt end on Friday, July 11. The previous day Garry and I flew to Berlin with my best friend Brendan and his partner, Grant, for a three-day weekend. Our plans were disrupted early the next morning by news that Grant's mother had died unexpectedly in Sydney. Airline strikes and schedule challenges meant that Grant couldn't fly home until Monday morning. He eventually decided there was little he could do for 48 hours and we all agreed to continue with the weekend in Berlin. I'll share more about our time away in a later post.
Grant's news was followed on Sunday evening by word that my Auntie Pam's partner had also passed away. Bob had been unwell for some time so his death was not unexpected. However, as with any death, her news was heart-breaking to hear. Sadly my Mum couldn't travel to be with her sister as my Dad had just been discharged from hospital after his major surgery.
Our soap opera week was taken to another level barely 24 hours later. Hamish contacted the family early Tuesday morning to share news that his father-in-law had died. Hermann Wieser was 68 and in perfect health. His passing was completely unexpected and came as a huge shock to all of us. Hermann's funeral was held in Kitzbuhel yesterday. I flew in from London along with nine other people to attend the service and burial.
The service, while conducted in German, was very moving. It was held in an old, ornate and gilded Catholic church overlooking the town. Its hillside location is stunning, surrounded by towering mountains. The service was well attended with standing room only. I was particularly moved when the sun briefly appeared as the funeral procession slowly made its way to the grave site. The alpine backdrop, traditional churchyard and sombre stream of black-clad mourners all lit by brief sunshine were the hallmark of a classic Hollywood scene. As I reflected on the moment I couldn't think of a more fitting tribute to a life well-lived.
With so much sadness in the air it was almost a relief to close off recent events with a family celebration. Today was my niece's sixth birthday. With so many people still in town it seemed appropriate to come together and celebrate a life that's just beginning. Nicole was excited to receive lots of shiny new toys and was just as happy to share a large icecream cake with the extended family. Hopefully our soap opera session has now run its course and life is back to its more mundane pace.
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