Merry Christmas and New Year

Hi everyone

Well - i cannot believe we are in the month of February - almost half way through...where has that time gone!

There has been plenty happening in the world of Melon's Cottage...with quite a few families coming to stay with us over the summer. We had a lovely time getting to know them and the path they are walking...every one of them has such an amazing story and we wish them well as they continue their treatments (or in some cases - just check ups because their treatments have finally finished)...

Christmas was a pretty quiet affair for us...we travelled to daylesford a couple of days to spend some time together (it doesnt happen very often)...then we headed to pete's side of the family for xmas day for some yummy christmas lunch...its always such a reflective day...but we got through it. We bought a couple of candles and made sure they were lit to remember melon...

We were busy all through January, with back to back visits in some cases..it was amazing. We are so very proud of the cottage...and the usuage. We are also really stoked that our local businesses continue to support us, by supplying some terrific stuff for the families FREE of charge...it includes a yummy fruit and vege platter, a meat pack, mini golf, dvds, and a cruise on the gippy lakes, as well as some fish and chips, and a meal voucher at the pub...the look on families faces as they realise all these things are free is seriously priceless...no one expects it, and it just makes a difference for them to enjoy that little bit more...SO THANKS!

the other amazing thing thats happened is that we won the Community Event of the Year - for Lakes Entrance with the opening of Melon's Cottage. We were both in shock when we received it...to be recognised for something we have worked so hard for is truly amazing..and we cant do what we do without the support of those around us - so it truly is a team effort. The award is a reflection of that...so well done to EVERYONE involved...

So we are expecting another family at the end of the month, and then Easter has been booked already which is terrific...

Our fundraising has also far surpassed our expectations...with donations continuing to come in. Many of them are left of field...but we are so happy with our position as it stands...we have a few events coming up this year, with our Mothers Day raffle (hopefully we can start selling tickets in March)...and then a few other little things in the later half of the year which still need to be confirmed. The main thing for us though is that our insurances have been paid, and we can still afford our bills - which is working well with all we have received through donations so far...

We hope that everyone continues to do really well this year...and for those that have had a very ordinary 2012...we hope 2013 is much better for you...

Please enjoy some of the photos...and if you are a facebook fan, we have set up a facebook page for Melon's Cottage which covers a bit more of the day to day stuff, particuarly around our fundraising...

take care everyone
loads of love and sunshine
the simpsons

Our Australia Day award for the Community Event of the Year for LAKES ENTRANCE

Selfies after putting up our christmas tree

Thanks to the Paynesville Lioness and the Paynesville Mens Shed for building us a cubby for the Cottage...the Kids who have visited have LOVED it!

archie at christmas...

our candles for Christmas day

Archie with Great nan and poppa from Deni

Merry Christmas everyone - from Archie!

xoxox

The new edition!

Hi guys

it has finally arrived! Thanks so much to the Paynesville community (Paynesville Lions, Paynesville Lioness and the Paynesville Mens Shed) for making the cubby and bringing it to the cottage...its bloody brilliant! Archie has had a road test and it passes with flying colours...we have a some painting to do on the inside, but im sure if we sorted a working bee, we will get it sorted quick smart!

we are also going to be at the makers market tomorrow (1st dec) in bairnsdale selling our wares that we (the charity chooks) have been making all year...all proceeds to melon's cottage, leukaemia foundation and angelflight...so if you are around, please call in and say hello!

a few pics below of the cubby and some of our goods for sale...

hope you have a great weekend and catch you again soon

luv and sunshine

the simpsons
xoxoxox

gorgeous dolls with accessories

little xmas babushkas

lovely elephants

archie road testing the new cubby

very very cool! Thanks to everyone involved!

A very busy xmas ahead

hi guys

wow...a week and a bit on from Melon's 4th anniversary...the tears have certainly not dried up. We went to another fantastic fundraiser last night for "Cooper Trewin"...who passed away at 16 months of age with SUDC...(Juvenile form of SIDS)...i cannot tell you how much i cried throughout Coops mums presentation...all i kept thinking was that my heart was so sad for all those families out there who have lost a baby...it really doesnt matter how they gained their angel wings...its really about the families - all of them...who are left behind to grieve and try and fathom the loss of their child. The words "its shit" comes to mind...and i guess for those who are left behind...all we can try and do is keep the memories of our children alive...

anyways...

A huge lead up to december....christmas, like birthdays and anniversaries are such a difficult time in the Simpson household...but i know we will get there...small steps...sometimes 20 steps back, and 1 forward, but that one forward is certainly one to celebrate...

We are involved in a few things over the coming month...

Firstly, the Paynesville Mens Shed with the help of the Paynesville lions and lionesses have made a cubby for the cottage and it will be delivered this coming thursday...so stay tuned for photos...we are looking forward to it coming, and its right on time :-)

we are also off to the sale races at the invitation of Eastcoast Plumbtec who will be holding their annual christmas party which includes an auction...all proceeds this year will come to Eli's Foundation - amazing!

We were also lucky enough to enlist the help of Christine Watts, a local author and artist who we approached for a brilliant raffle prize. Christine kindly donated an amazing felt peice which will be raffled off by Kids On Collins - a childcare centre in Melbourne who we are now affiliated with. Proceeds from the raffle will also come to Eli's Foundation which is totally amazing...

We also received a donation from Snowy River Cycling from Orbost who very kindly donated their time to ferry the Great Victorian Bike Ride participants from point a to point b - for a gold coin donation...to think that people will think of us for their fundraising is so humbling. We have done so very well since the cottage opened, and we are continually amazed at everyone's generosity.

The best thing we can ever hope for is that eli's memory remains alive...and by the looks of that, we have been able to achieve it...what a special little man...he really is just so loved by everyone - thats the best gift we could have ever asked for...

the 2nd best gift is that families come and stay with us at Melon's cottage...and to that end...we are stoked that we have 8 families over our xmas/new year period until the beginning of feb and we are already booked for easter...its AMAZING! when we opened the cottage, we were hoping to help around 12 families...and we will meet that figure AND some...everyone who comes is such a gift...and we can see the difference it makes. Some come to celebrate the end of treatment, and we know a couple have come to share time as family to say goodbye...to say its a priviledge to share these milestones is an understatement...we have walked a mile in these shoes...and we know that it makes a difference...

I have a couple of quotes to share from our guestbook:

"We wish you all the best and hope the Lakes Community continues to support Melon's Cottage"

"We have been overwhelmed by your generosity and the generosity of the Lakes Entrance community...It is so nice to have a change of scenery to feel refreshed. The kids dont want to leave and together decided that we need to stay here for '100 nights'"

"We thankyou for the inspirational idea and follow through of Melon's Cottage - clearly so much work and thought went into this and it is so appreciated...wishing you all the best for the continued success of Melon's Cottage - a lovely tribut to the memory of your brave son Eli Charlie"

"Special special place and we are so happy we could be here to share the beautiful place you have created. What amaing people you are to take all the feelings you have and turn them into this haven for others"

I guess this if from the mouths of our families who have stayed with us...hopefully they articulate it much better than we can...but we just knew it would make a difference, and by the above, it certainly has!

anyways...time to fly...and hope to touch based again in the next couple of weeks.

Take care
luv and sunshine
the simpsons
xoxoxo

beautiful felt peice from Christine Watts - THANKS CHRISTINE!

more information on the terrific work christine does can be found at:

www.christinelwatts.com.au

4 long years melon...

The 16th of November 2007 at 12.55pm we said our final goodbyes to our boy. It was the hardest thing we have ever had to do in our lives. Below is what we wrote for our boy as we remember his beautiful spirit and the emptiness we have felt for the last four years.

Our beautiful boy. Four long years since you left us. As we all grow a year older, you remain forever young. Not a day goes by that you are not thought of or spoken of melon, such is the impact you had on our lives. 12.55pm on Sunday 16 November in 2008 you left us after such a courageous fight. What a privilege to be there for your last moments, to tell you that we love you and you will always be carried in our hearts. What we would do to have just one last kiss and hug, but you know that.

"When nights are cold and stars are few

we close our eyes and think of you

A silent hope and silent tear

a silent wish that you were here"

See you in our dreams melon

you are so deeply loved and missed every single day

mum, dad and baby brother archie

xoxoxoxox

Our beautiful boy...who would have thought 13 months later you would be gone from our lives

best superman we know....

Love you melon...your memory lives on in our hearts every single day

Happy 5th Birthday melon

Hi everyone

well..its that time of year again when the simpson's reflect on what should have been...Melon's 5th birthday...

once again many tears were shed, pancakes eaten and even archie got into the act and played with a couple of angel's which sit on eli...

As pete often says, its a time when we think about what should have been...and he is right...eli's 5th birthday...kinder and off to school next year...christmas with his baby brother and family...so much to look forward too but will never be experienced...

These anniversaries get harder and harder as the time goes by...but the days in between seem to be just living life...

Melon would have been plenty proud of what we have achieved as a family...in fact, the cottage is currently home to another family who are seeking a break from the heartache of hospital life and cancer/leukaemia...

we absolutely know we are doing the right thing and that the cottage means such a lot to these families...we look forward to picking some flowers from his garden today...and we might just even get a birthday cake together...but who knows...we will just go with the flow and do what feels right...

our beautiful brave boy...forever young and always missed.

Love you to the moon and back melon...and you are in our thoughts every single day

happy birthday mate

mum, dad and baby archie
xoxox

Happy 5th birthday melon...xoxox

hi everyone

geez...i know i keep saying it, but its absolutely amazing how quickly time flies...incredible really to think we are fast approaching melon's 5th birthday...28 September...gee...it feels like yesterday when we lost him...where does the time go...

So, we managed to get through Father's Day...and again pete's birthday on 16th September...we did what we could, and spent a bit of time in the garden, both on the day and leading up to them...i know pete takes much solace with his time in melon's garden. Its actually a great time of year for the garden because everything is in in bloom...really pretty.

As always...i think we will just need to see how the day unfolds on melon's birthday...a friday actually...and kind of poetically, we actually have a family in up at the cottage so that will be nice. Keeping to the Simpson family tradition, we will make some pancakes for eli's birthday...and then just 'be'...see where the day takes us. I know many people who have lost a child will celebrate with a birthday, friends and family around. For us however, its an intensely private day where we do our own thing, only really stopping to share with others when we can open our hearts, which usually happens in the afternoon. Such is the stark contrast of how we grieve...we are all so individual and express grief so differently...and thats completely ok. As wamma would say - whatever blows your hair back!

Its also ninny's birthday this month...amazing to think she died so very young at 75 with pancreatic cancer...but so much comfort to know she was there just before melon was...to welcome him with open arms...

anways....the Charity Chooks have been busy busy once again, with an event to raise money for angel flight...we managed $500 which was awesome...so thanks to everyone who came to make it happen...you rock!

The cottage is looking forward to another 2 families visiting over the next couple of weeks. We have again been really lucky to receive some terrific donations...we just cannot thank everyone enough...the response has truly been amazing.

For those interested, im heading to melbs to attend Light the Night for the leukaemia foundation...its hard to believe we were their 'inaugural' gold balloon ambassadors...in 2009 at their first event...it was a truly amazing evening, and one we have tried to attend ever since...so..if you are interested in coming along for a walk - or learning more about the event, please email me at eli-simpson@hotmail.com and i will see if we can catch up on the night...its always such a beautifully reflective event...one we are looking forward to participate in once again...its on the 26th September...at the Alexandra Gardens...but again, let me know if you are interested to ensure we can walk together...

I think thats about it for us at the moment...i will try and get back to you by the end of the month for melon's birthday...

the simpsons are doing well...all very busy...pete with work...and archie with just being archie lol...growing like a weed and just near 17months already! A really typical boy with lots of spunk and very very busy!

anyways...will close for now...

take care everyone
luv and sunshine
the simpsons
xoxoxo

our melon and ninny...2 peas in a pod

melon and dad on their only fathers day together...spent at the anakie gorge

Light the Night in 2010...fabulous event

our visit to visit the angel flight crew in fortitude valley recently...gidday guys!

Hi everyone

I have just realised its been nearly 3 months since we have posted...where has that time gone? amazing how quickly life just flies by...

Alot has happened in that time...as it always does...so, i will try and remember to cover EVERYTHING...

first and foremost, we have had some terrific families come through the cottage...it has been an amazing success and we look forward to hosting more families into the future...so if you know of ANYONE who is bereaved or is looking after a child who has cancer/leukaemia, please put them in touch with us...they are more than welcome to stay!

we have also been amazingly blessed with some terrific support from our local community groups, businesses, and as always family and friends. Pete and i are busy with presenting the cottage to those groups who are interested in knowing our story. We have been seriously overwhelmed and extremely humbled by the generosity of these groups and their ongoing support to our cause. Because of them, we have been able to watch our bank account grow, which is a massive relief for us..as it will ensure the cottage will remain free of charge to our families that visit. Without the support, we just cannot do what we do...so from us to you...thankyou so very very much. It truly means the world to us! 

Family life has been busy busy...after a different job for 3 months which took pete to the city once night a week, he has well and truly settled back into life at home (and we are happy to have him home consistently!)...Archie has been so-so...and has suffered terribly with recurrent ear infections. Poor little thing has been constantly on antibiotics and really miserable, so it was off the ear specialist and within 2 and a half weeks (and the threat of leaving him with the specialist!)...archie had grommets put in and seems to be much much better. Hard to believe archie is almost 16 months now...he is at a fabulous age...nice and interactive and most importantly, he loves to dance! Its a cracker...

We had our final fundraiser for the year in early July, with a couple of local politicians - Darren Chester (Federal MP) and Tim Bull (local MP) brave enough to colour their hair and walk onto a footy oval and umpire a game of seconds....then half time through the seniors, they shaved! It was great to watch, and the crowd got right behind them...so on behalf of Eli's Foundation, we would love to say thanks to everyone involved with the day, and particularly Darren, Tim and Ray Burgess (and of course the chooks)...who helped make the day a great success. We raised about $3500 which was a tremendous effort, but most importantly, we raised awareness within the community about the cottage.

We are also truly amazed at the generous offer from the Lakes Lions Club who are kindly donating half the proceeds of their "SPRING RAFFLE" to Melon's Cottage, the other half is going to a terrific cause in the Peter McCallum institute...So if you are floating around Lakes Entrance, please get behind this great raffle - the proceeds are going to some awesome causes! Marnie and I will be selling some raffle tickets out the front of Foodworks on 15th September (in the morning)..so if you are around, please call by and say hello...we would love to have a chat!

We have been really lucky and able to tell our story of Melon's Cottage to roughly 2-3 community groups a month...so while we have been extremely busy with that, we are just so proud to be able to spread the word far and wide...and while its hard work trying to fit it in with everything else, i think its been a great success...with heaps and heaps of support coming from the most amazing places...so THANKYOU...i know how much this means to the families using the cottage.

Speaking of which, we would also like to say a massive thanks to Challenge, who allowed us to use their retreat on the gold coast for a week...unfortunately we had a pretty rough time, and pete had to fly home early, we still loved our time away-even though it was a short stay...archie LOVED the open areas and the beach...and he was tuckered out at the end of every day...

its with great sadness that we found ourselves saying goodbye to three people over the past 3 weeks. Yeiyah (our 'nana' next door when we lived in altona all those years ago) passed away, a much loved member of the Department of Sustainability and Environment - Dave Needham and very very recently, Sue Morrison...a woman who had the most amazing and loving spirit and a true angel passed away suddenly. All three made a deep impact on our lives and im sure on many many others...you will all be sadly missed. We met sue (a dedicated member of the Bairnsdale Amaroo Country Womens Association) when they catered for Eli's wake and then again 6 weeks later when pete and i attended Silver Linings Funeral's christmas memorial. Pete being pete chatted sue up and volunteered me to join the CWA to 'make a decent sponge'...sue and her fellow CWA ladies were happy to have me in their fold when i was ready. From then on, the simpsons and the CWA ladies formed a firm friendship and bumped into each other from time to time, but always at christmas, at the memorial where the CWA catered. We kept in touch and they were all thrilled when they found out Archie was born. Their card congratulated us on archies birth, and it was lovingly signed "CWA Aunties"...and thats what this group of fabulous women are to us...a whole bunch of new 'aunties'...

I approached Sue to see if the 'aunties' might like to cater for our Cottage opening, on the proviso they bought some jelly slice! And so they did...and put on a great CWA spread for all our guests...We were then asked to present to the group, just last wednesday (15 August). I remember talking for much longer than i was given, but was much more open to the group..such was the relationship we have. It was a massive shock to learn sue passed away suddenly, and i can only begin to imagine the lasting legacy she has left for us all. I said to Jill (president of the CWA in bairnsdale)...giving sue a cuddle was exactly like giving my nan a cuddle. She will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her...

Its ironic that in someone's deepest grief, there is the gift of life...we would love to say a massive congratulations to rae-lee (our fave nurse) and shane on their impending arrival...and also megs and adrian on number 2...what an amazing gift.

The month of september brings time of reflection...it would have been Melon's 5th birthday. All we have are photos...and his smell on his special clothes has all but faded. We still wonder what he would have been like...how he would have embraced his little brother archie, whether they would have looked the same and whether he would have retained that beautiful sensitive soul he had. 5 years old...i can only wonder 'what would have been'...off to school next year...but it will never be.

anyways...thats about it...3 months packed into a post! i promise not to leave it as long next time!

hope all of you are going well...

take care

loads of hugs and sunshine

the simpsons

xoxoxox

The lovely spread organised by the CWA ladies for the opening of the cottage...

Our lovely CWA 'aunties'...sue (in aqua) will be deeply missed by all those knew her...

 Big melon - kicking back in north melbourne

 Big melon just after he had his spleen out - yes, morphine officially kicked in!

Good on you Darren Chester and Tim Bull - bloody awesome effort!