Whether it was a quick detour to get to a client meeting or routinely driving through to work, the majestic mood of Martin Place always took my breath away.
There’s the beautifully restored GPO clock tower with its chime echoing through the quadrangle that also carries the angelic acoustics of many a talented busker.
For a crappy corporate working day, Martin Place and its city buzz would always make me stop in my tracks to be grateful; how fortunate it was to feel so safe in a bustling, spectacular city.
I bumped into my heavily pregnant friend at the gym on Wednesday morning.
Admiring her gorgeous, growing bump, it was a nice change after the past couple days of horrific events.
Asking how she was feeling, her usual bubbly face suddenly dropped to a quivering frown. Fighting through her tears was the confession on how the Martin Place siege had emotionally hit her hard.
“I just started to freak out last night,” she cried.
“How am I going to bring a child into this world where there is so much evil and wrong?”
My dear friend had succumbed to pregnancy hormonal surges and what I like to call, “Mama Bear mode”
Oblivious to my gym sweat, I hugged her tight and whispered, “Welcome to the emotional roller coaster of motherhood.”
What happened in Martin Place on Monday morning is an extremely sad reflection to the senseless violence, hate and anger that can exist in our world.
This horrible incident – along many others – never fails to make me doubt if I’m cut out for this parenting gig.
Sure, I can feed them and care for them.
But this innate responsibility to protect; the obligation I precariously have in raising confident, strong, resilient children?
It feels impossible.
Most of all, how can I assure them that they’re safe and secure in this world when we are infested by so much sorrow and pain?
We can’t shield our kids forever.
But there’s nothing stopping me to also talk about compassion, humanity and love.
While our beloved Martin Place was a place of unexplainable horror, it also quickly became a makeshift shrine, with a continuing outpour of flower tributes and cards for the victims’ families, friends and loved ones.
That in instances like these, I can show my children that love is actually tangible.
One day when they want to know what makes Sydney – their home – so special and rock solid, I can proudly tell them of a time where we put aside our differences – race, religion, creed – and let those flowers represent how we stand side by side in times of adversity.
I want to teach them to experience beyond feelings of defiance or revenge.
That instead, they’re instilled with the knowledge that love trumps hate.
Every time.
As a parent, not only does that gives me hope for my children but also for this world.
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This is a beautiful post. Thanks for sharing the photos. I will show your post to my family today so they too can see the outpouring of love in this world of ours. Incredibly proud to be Australian right now.
Leanne
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted..Day 1898 – Dressing for Christmas Cocktails #everydaystyle
Amen.
Beautiful post Grace. Xx
JodY At Six Little Hearts recently posted..Have You Discovered Pitchi Yet?
The uncertainty is so unsettling and yes, I worry constantly about protecting my children. It’s it’s own type of fear. Then I look at pictures of all the goodness and love that is here and I feel overwhelmed by that too. It’s undoubtedly been a very emotional week. Thanks for sharing these images x
Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad recently posted..Bumps, Christmas & Domestic Tard-ness
Oh Grace, your words and pictures are beautiful, and I have a tear in my eye. I don’t have kids, but this week, I’ve been thinking a lot about parents and parents-to-be, and how they feel about bringing and raisiing children into a world that is so full of hate and evil. It was as if you read my mind. I wasn’t born or raised in Sydney, I chose to move half way around the world and live here when I was an adult. And I’m so pleased I did. Not only is this is an amazing city, it’s full of amazing people. This week, more than ever, I’m both grateful and so proud that I’m a Sydney sider.
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid recently posted..My 5 Festive Favourites 2014
Beautiful post, Grace. There was such ugliness to come not just from the act, but from some people’s reactions to it as well. I’m glad the beauty and support has overwhelmed the rest. xx
EmIly recently posted..Digging my new digs, and reflecting on 2014
We were in Martin Place on Sunday night, we took the girls to see the big Christmas tree. It’s surreal to think about what happened in that exact spot just a few hours later. But, like you, I’m proud of the way the majority of our country has stood together to stare down evil and say ‘we will not be afraid’.
Emma Fahy Davis recently posted..Introducing dish’d {Review + Giveaway}
So true, Grace. I saw a meme on FB yesterday which talked about looking for the helpers in tragic news stories, because they’re always there. And it’s true. No matter how bad things are, they can’t crush the good side of the human spirit altogether.
Bec @ Seeing the Lighter Side of Parenting recently posted..Mortgages suck but renting with kids sucks more
Australia has come along way since the Cronulla riots. Some dick in The Australian (ie the Murdoch rag for the mildly less intellectually impaired) was saying that the #I’ll ride with you was a denial of Islamic threat. I see it as a standing together in the face of the threat. Mind you as terrible as the events last Monday were, we need to put them in perspective. Since 2001 just over 100 Australians have died in terror related incidents and only 3 of these were on home soil. Over the same period 19K have died in road accidents. Realistically we have more to fear getting into our cars each morning than strolling through Martin Place. Of course we need to take the terror threat seriously but Australian’s dont need to live in fear.
PS: I will be heading back to the Lindt cafe as soon as possible 😉
It must have been very moving visiting Martin Place and feeling that somber atmosphere, but so much love represented in the sea of floral tributes. I always try to focus on the love that brings us together in times of tragedy and this week that love has been so powerful. Merry Christmas Grace.X
Kathy recently posted..Bringing it all back to balance
I lost it like your pregnant friend. So much waste and horror for such beautiful people, by such a bad man. It is the really black side of life and just so very very sad.
Carolyn
Desire Empire recently posted..Mango and Coconut No Bake Cheesecake
You’ve summed it up perfectly Grace. I immediately checked for an update when I woke up on Tuesday morning and felt numb after reading what had happened.
xx
Lauren @ Create Bake Make recently posted..The Christmas Collection – Fabulous Foodie Fridays #32
What gorgeous photos Grace. I still can’t believe it. What an incredibly tragic day. I have loved seeing the beautiful people of Sydney coming together though. xx
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile recently posted..The Christmas Collection – Fabulous Foodie Fridays #32
Grace, thank you for sharing your beautiful words and photos.
I found it so hard to explain to Bell what happened, while still letting her know she was safe. It’s so easy for little ones to see the terror, and miss the good that shines through.
Hug your babies tight xx
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen recently posted..Peace Please
This is such a beautiful post Grace. I have also been struggling a bit with the sadness around the whole incident and having some pretty big conversations with my boys about why the actions of one person should not condemn the many. Parenting is a tough gig some days that’s for sure xx
Rachel_OurTownBNE recently posted..Celebrate! Your guide to Brisbane’s BEST New Years Parties
Grace, that photo of #embraceinmartinplace made me cry- so lovely!
Amy recently posted..The Worst Can Bring Out Our Best
What a moving post Mama G, just have a wee few tears in my eyes, I have tried not to think about this for the past few days but have let it back in my mind after reading this. I’m so proud of how we have all banned together, we all are one and can fight hate with love. Hugs to you xxx
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..Don’t give boring presents this Christmas!
was away earlier this week and totally missed this piece of news..
I believe too that love will triumph evil. We may not be able to stop each horrible thing from happening in this world, but as we bring up our kids to be people to can bring more good into this world, the probability of horrors happening will decline too. Peace be to all the families affected..
Ai Sakura recently posted..Home Living | New Bosch Athlet Cordless Handstick Vacuum
Tragedies such as this one are horrible. It is heartening to see out of it that kindness and inclusion seems to be triumphing over hate. It starts at an individual level.
Fairlie recently posted..How to have a merry Christmas abroad
Great post…I also love the reminder that amidst all this hate and ugliness, always look for the helpers, the compassionate people doing what they can to make the situation better, and those that are trying to make a difference in any way they can. Beth.
The Exercise Hitlist recently posted..Adventurethon Albany
I think its amazing that despite how tragic the events of Monday were, the community has united together and proven that we will not let fear beat us.
Toni @ finding myself young recently posted..52 WEEKS OF MEMORIES | 50 – FROM THE SIDE
It is overwhelming to see the unity and human compassion and empathy that’s emerged from this horror. A beautiful, sincere and touching post Grace.
Pinky Poinker recently posted..Australian Horror Story
Such a moving post that captures what most parents would be thinking. Your photos are also amazing. It’s wonderful to see how much love can flow after such a tragic event. I’m pregnant at the moment and often wonder what kind of a world I am bringing my children into, but if we all raise our children to be good members of society then peace and love will always triumph over fear and hate.
Erika @ Ever-changing Life of a Mum recently posted..School holiday bliss
Sitting on the other side of the country we too were horrified as we listened to the events unfold and then sadened to learn of the ose of 2 brave lives. How could this be happen in our country?
Sally@Toddlers on tour recently posted..Packing for Kids: The Essentials this Holiday Season
Sometimes living in country WA you can be a little isolated from what goes on over in the East. However this week I’m not sure how many tears I have shed, not just with the sad things I have read but of the positive action and words I have seen.
Annaleis recently posted..{WW} December Photos 2014
I’ve felt super emotional all week, mourning for the families who lost their loved ones, and the survivors who would be overcome with trauma after such a terrible incident. I’m going to be completely honest and say I’ve even mourned the gunman, because he must have been a very unwell person to have been part of such an evil act.
Your post brought tears to my eyes, sad, happy and proud tears, because although this is a terribly heart breaking situation, it IS inspiring the way our nation has banded together in such time of crisis, and the loving nature of our community makes me so overwhelmed with pride and gratitude.
Our children need to be children, and need to remember the love and kindness our people have shown in this terribly trying time, rather than the man who felt he needed to plea for attention with such a desperate act as this.
Beautiful post, Grace
Sheridan Anne recently posted..Christmas DIY Gift Card Holder
A beautiful post Grace and such a perfect sentiment for an otherwise horrific circumstance. Such beautiful images too, love the angels xx
Josefa @always Josefa recently posted..‘Tis the season for shopping
Beautiful post and images Grace. For the past few days I’ve been humming the tune “We are Australian”, so seeing your 2nd last photo made me think I mustn’t have been only one feeling that way. Its such a horrible tragic loss. My heart goes out to those poor families, especially the 3 children who won’t have their Mummy with them on Christmas day 🙁 I guess the only nice thing that’s come out of the ugliness of that horrid day, is to see Australians come together. x
Julie @ Off to the park recently posted..Merry Christmas / Season’s Greetings / Happy Holidays
Just beautiful and of course I’m listening to news of the Cairns tragedy at the moment. Just so so sad.
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Beautifully expressed Grace♥
Oh my gosh what a week!!!! I’m horrified by what happened just as I was when I was in London during the 7/7 attack! When will it stop!! I think Sydney’s response to it all was unreal – beautiful and perfect. I decided that I would tell my Mr 8 what happened only if he asked me. He didn’t so I’ve left them in safe ignorance for now. xx
Robyn recently posted..Wishing you all a very merry, safe and happy Christmas
I really needed some time away from social media and the news this week. We have family and friends that work at Chanel 7 and Martin Place and as soon as I knew they were all ok, I just had to switch off. I was pleased to see the positives that came from the siege.
Raych aka Mystery Case recently posted..Worth Casing Wednesday | The Beat Goes On….
A beautiful and eloquent post, Grace. Love will always triumph over hate xx
Aleney @ BoyEatsWorld recently posted..The Ming & I // Pancetta and Seafood pappardelle
Its been such a sad crazy week in Sydney, but yet Australians again have pulled together to show the world that we are strong. We are one, and we won’t let anyone take that away.
May both Katrina and Tori be both resting in peace, may their families feel how loved they are by the Australia people, and may this never ever happen again.
The scary thing is that this could have been avoided if only the court system was stronger.
And the scary thing is that anyone of us could have been in that very cafe, I took both boys to Sydney to see the Lego Xmas tree the day before.
Those flowers, the books where people can express their thoughts, that there makes me very proud to say I am Australian.
And yes you are so very brave Grace, all we can do with our children is show them love will over come anything xxx
Lisa Wood recently posted..Spicy Chicken Wings With Blue Cheese Sauce
Beautiful post, Grace. I have found this week overwhelming and my pregnancy hormones have been in overdrive. It’s all a bit overwhelming. But, you’re so right love triumphs and that’s what I want my children to know.
Becky from BeckyandJames recently posted..Celebrating Baby Patch | Giveaway
I am happy that the collective positive has trumped the single negative person that caused all of this chaos. Beautiful post
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages recently posted..Onion Bread
I’ve spent so much time the past few days thinking about this tragedy. About little kids the same age as my own who are suddenly motherless, and how unfair that is. It was a monday morning. It should have been standard.
And it wasn’t.
And it’s wrong.
But thank goodness that we are a nation that realises that, and can love so beautifully in the face of tragedy. That is a truly miraculous thing.
Beautifully said Grace. xx
EssentiallyJess recently posted..The 2014 Recap Post.
I am not even sure of the right or appropriate words to describe my thoughts and feelings about what has occurred in our wonderful country over the last week. So much unnecessary hurt and heartbreak for so many families 🙁
Beautiful words and photos Grace.
Zita recently posted..for a Fitbit Flex v Garmin Vivofit Review
Well said Grace, so true… love trumps hate, every time. x
sarah@tomfo recently posted..FREE Countdown to School Calendar
Even in pictures, the sea of flowers makes me want to cry. How awful – these innocent lives gone for some person to prove his senseless point.
Nami recently posted..7 Costume Ideas for the Apathetic Halloweenster
I just popped in to say hi and take a scroll through your life and what I’ve missed. This post was beautiful Gracie and the photo, just perfect. I don’t know how long it’s been since this tragedy but it most certainly feels like yesterday. I know it could happen again at any moment but I choose not to let them take control. That’ what they want and I won’t give it to them!