10 storms of mourning

When the news came through that Nanny Jenny would come back with Emma after the passing of poppy Brian we all got a shot in the arm . What a brave decision to leave the home you previously shared with your husband and travel to the other side of the world , especially when it’s your first international trip . “Just do it “ , we said . “This place is sunny no matter what time of the year , you’ll hardly miss the Australian summer . “

I honestly don’t recommend a visit to LA in December or January. Still if you can travel internationally any visit is worthwhile.The days are generally still, cool and short. It’s usually dark just after 5 and the temperatures usually get to 17-18 Celsius . Fortunately this year we were travelling to Sayulita ,Mexico. The promise of warm tropical weather lay ahead . What a way to spend Christmas . By the Time we get to Mexico we know we have a month left in the United States before we pack our bags and leave for good. It’s a time to escape and live for the now

It’s funny how things work . Australia has just been through one of the wettest periods in recent history and straight after some of the toughest covid restrictions in the western world . As soon as Emma’s mum arrives in LA the storms begin . We get respite in Mexico but on the first day back we are met with miserable weather and it would continue for 3 straight weeks . The promise of beautiful sunny days , people watching , beach walks and alfresco dining in Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach seemed like a made up myth . The one bonus in all of the stormy weather has been the constant pounding surf . So we thank Jenny for bringing us some bloody good waves , although it doesn’t really do her any good .

It’s been a bitter sweet 4 weeks with the passing of Emma’s father Brian and her mum Jenny visiting us in LA . We’ve done a lot in this month , despite the weather . Jenny has been to Mexico , Vegas , LA , Malibu and everywhere in between . It’s been her first big trip and she’s seen a hell of a big chunk of where we live and what we’ve experienced. After we dropped her off at LAX alone , we drove back sombrely . On returning home I turn the tv on to watch the news . A special on LAs weather reports that we’ve had an unprecedented 10 storms in the last month . A atmospheric river they call it .In the entire time we’ve been here we’d have been lucky to see 10 storms in total in the previous 5 and a half years . Jenny was calling herself cyclone Jenny . You sure were , but in a good way . You did a lot , including ending Californias worst drought in living memory .

It’s the final countdown . 8 days before we fly out . The last 4 weeks have been a time for mourning for a passing father and husband and for a life that we never thought we’d live . As Jenny touched down in Australia the weather turned . It’s beautiful and sunny . It’s time to look to the future with excitement. January 28 ,we’ll be back .