Day 20: French Violets

A special day calls for a special pair of earrings - and so it was today.

Evie Star cuddle, Potts Point 2005

Evie and Gabe's christening

First, to the special day. Today was the day Rob and I officially became godparents to the gorgeous Evie Star McHugh. The Catholic baptism, which also included her delightful brother Gabriel, took place at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Randwick. Evie is a such beautiful young girl: kind, brave, gentle and clever. She is an amazing animal whisperer and a very fine horse rider. We've 'unofficially' been Evie's godparents since her birth, so it was a joy to celebrate it formally today, in the presence of Evie's lovely grandmother Arleen, who is visiting from Edinburgh. It was also very special to share the experience with my most longstanding friend Maddie, who was Gabe's godmother.

Picnic near Rosslyn Chapel, Scotland 2002

Evie is the daughter of two of our dearest friends, Lindsey and Chris. They are not just friends of Rob and me, but are closely tied to the entire Chappell family. Indeed, we only know Linz because she was a flatmate of my brother Paul, back in the late 1990s when Linz first came out to Sydney from Edinburgh. Fortunately, Linz returned to Scotland for awhile, as it was then that she hooked up with the divine Chris McHugh. Together, they moved back to Sydney 13 years ago, when James was just a baby, and have been foundational to our lives ever since.

We've had such fun with Linz and Chris over the years, including a wonderful trip to the Isle of Jura off the West Coast of Scotland in 2002, with a large gang including Cazy and Ben and Maddie and Bill and Bryan. There are more deer than people on Jura; the Paps, Whiskey and the Corryvrekan whirlpool are its main attractions. We stayed in a house belonging to the Astor's where David Cameron's family had holidays (boo!), just down the road from the cottage where George Orwell wrote 1984 - which I note has for obvious reasons returned to the best seller list in recent weeks.

Ben, Caz, Chris, Linz, Jura 2002

With the happy couple, 2007

Linz and Chris' wedding was another special occasion. My memory of it is a little hazy as I was completely sleep deprived with baby Angus at the time (and still showing signs of my exclusive Rocky Road pregnancy diet), but I do remember a few things: how gorgeous Lindsey looked, how touched I was to be asked to give a reading, how dashing Chris and all the men were in their kilts, and how hot it was - clearly the full Scottish kit was not made for a sunny Sydney January day!

Linz and Chris are incredibly generous and loyal people, which is reflected so obviously in their two gorgeous children. Our life wouldn't be the same without them.  I am so grateful that these precious friends have settled in Sydney, while understanding the cost it presents for them, especially being away from their precious families back in Scotland.

Now to the special earrings. Diverting from a run of Tiffany birthday earrings and my obsession with Satellite, Robbie and the boys brought these gorgeous violets earrings for me from a jewellery store in Paris a few years ago when we were on our way south to Pauline and John's for Christmas. They are made from enamel and combine the most beautiful combination of purples and greens. I instantly loved them, but until recently I hadn't worn them as I have been waiting to find the right outfit to match - as all earring obsessives know, the earrings usually chose the clothes, not the other way around.

Dad and Margie's wedding

Proud godparents

I was very happy then when I found this green dress to wear to Dad and Margie's wedding last November - a perfect match to the green of the earrings - allowing me to give the violets their first outing on a very auspicious day. I took the opportunity to give them another outing today, unimpeded by hair. I was worried all the hair would be gone by today, given the rate of shedding, but I made it. Phew! Happy for it to go now.

On Day 20 I was so grateful to be able celebrate the wonderful future facing Evie Star and Gabe, and spend time with their family and close friends. (And I enjoyed singing the hymns, and could once play on the guitar because the only cords are D, A &G, esp. Though the Mountains May Fall...)

I was also grateful today to be sitting in a pew of a Catholic Church where the priests are finally apologising for the abuse committed against so many vulnerable children over too many years. May the investigations, prosecutions and improved protection measures continue. But more that, may the Church realise and act on the need for deep and profound transformation. This will only be possible when women are treated equally and priests - hopefully in future both men and women - are given the opportunity to live a full life...Amen!