Deano and I fell head over heals for each other in this somewhat romantic boho capital of Australia. A place where the dread locked look is fully embraced, marijuana is celebrated and people living in hippy communes is the norm. Yes, freedom to walk around the shops with no footwear, little more than a torn shirt, hairy armpits and a dingy pair of dirty jeans was welcomed by many, even the towns professionals looked sometimes a little extraordinary...a time warp of a bygone era when free love and world peace was the main criteria for a healthy happy life.- oh and now the added benefit of alkalising drinks, solar energy and crystal underarm deodorisers add to the atmosphere of this wholistic chia seed loving people.
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| A picture capturing the 70's in the Northern NSW region |
As we walked past shops the sweet aromas of incense wafted through the air, (probably to mask the pot smoking going on at the back) my mind was flooded with memories of walking down the street with 4 little girls in tow and a Blindman being guided by his eldest daughter on our way to pick up yummy cakes for a morning tea break at the local bakery. Not one person looking or doing a double take of our awkward family taking up the entire width of the path, people just accepting us for who we were. Yes, it's been our experience that those living in this region of the world have been more accepting of people with differences than most...don't know why but nobody seems to stare at our pack in this region, like they do in the city. Oh what a beautiful memory for me...and it makes me wonder what memories Deano has in his mind since his experience of the world is not visual.
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| Daughter number 2 with her Dad |
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As we walk past a cafe displaying artwork by a local artist, Deano leans over to one of our artistic daughters (daughter number 2) who is studying fine art as a major at university and suggests..."You should really paint an artwork that shows people what I see" This daughter is an abstract artist and has had her work displayed in art galleries throughout Queensland. She looks at him with an enthusiastic smile and says "Alrighty then Dad lets do it this week" Without a moment of hesitation this daughter is champing at the bit and energised by the out-of-the-box experience she just had in Sydney with Tony Robbins and is ready to unleash her power within and help her Dad unpack his feelings through her artwork.
What a blessing to be a force for good, enhance someone's understanding of what a blind person experiences and feel pride in the privilege of being the daughter of a man that sees the world in completely different way to the rest of us. I for one can't wait to see their collaboration and however it turns out I am sure that it will defy the odds, just like any other project this man sets his heart on. With pride one day I will see their artwork hanging in all of its unique glory in a cafe just like this, in a quirky town where people just love people for who they are and appreciate artistic efforts from those that are talented and are willing to share.
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| Deano builds an easle for his daughter to encourage her to follow her dreams |
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