Soar with the eagles

Yesterday was pretty emotional. My heart swelled and then it broke.

It was Kathleen Folbigg’s birthday, the first one she hasn’t spent in a jail cell for 20 years.

I was thrilled for her and sent a best wishes text to our mutual friend Tracy. Kath replied via Tracy’s phone, telling me it was her first ever text.

I felt so happy as I read that text.

An hour or two later my phone delivered the devastating news that my godmother had passed away.

Aunty Barb had been my mum’s best friend since they were kids. Mum was an only child, so Barb was more like a sister to her.

Barb was one in a million, such a positive force, filled with fun, laughter, kindness and strength.

She had been battling cancer and was told early last year she only had a few months to live.

But she survived much longer than the doctors predicted and made the most of every borrowed moment.

She travelled to Sydney from her home in Brisbane last September to catch up with family and friends.

Mum drove down from Newcastle and we had a wonderful breakfast together at the rooftop cafe of the Museum of Contemporary Art, with the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House as our stunning backdrop.

We hugged Barb tightly with tears in our eyes when it was time to part, knowing it was the last time.

Barb was determined to stay alive to welcome her twin great grandchildren, a joyful occasion she celebrated earlier this year.

She was so much larger than life that I thought she would live forever. I can’t believe she is gone.

She was so supportive of me and one of my most loyal blog readers.

Her last comment on the HouseGoesHome Facebook page was three weeks ago, when she wrote: “Where would I be without my favourite laugh for the morning?”

I was so glad that I could make her laugh as she battled her illness.

In the last few months before Barb passed away I started sharing old photos of her and mum on Facebook. I inherited them from my grandmother and I wanted her to see them while she was alive, rather than them being posted in tribute to her when she was gone.

She commented on one of them: “OMG. Would you look at that. Damn we were good sorts!”

Barb loved Facebook and was still scrolling through her feed before she went to sleep for the very last time. Seeing the words “Active 14 hours ago” next to her name on Facebook Messenger yesterday started me crying all over again.

I wrote a blog post in January that included a photo of Barb at my wedding. I wrote: “I’m not sure if Barb is reading this, but she’s the most wonderful of women and I send her much love.”

She replied: “Of course I’m reading your blog and thank you for those beautiful words of praise . It’s been fun being part of your world for such a long time. Keep up that enthusiasm. Soar with the eagles gorgeous girl.”

Soar with the eagles gorgeous Barb.

We will never stop missing the magic you brought to this world.