Jean Cecilia Dunn McCarron 1926 - 2011

Mum wrote this for the Eulogy, Mass for the Dead, St Augustine's, July 2011

You have not left this earth
You are a strong spring breeze reaching out to each individual leaf.
Moving it, allowing it to reflect the light and dance in time.
Eventually, the whole tree is movement and light and meaning and purpose.
Life ebbing and flowing before it moves on.

You have not left this earth
You are the brave mother who protects her children, by picking up a shovel to kill a snake slithering across the back yard. Somewhen, you learnt not to throw hot water in the direction of the snake, it has the tendency to make snakes a little cranky. Then your courage is really tested, ask Julie. Dad said you later massacred that poor snake.

You have not left this earth
You are a small cornerstone of the world. A world that extends not much further than your beloved Begana, and Narromine and Peak Hill and certainly no further than Australia. You are nurtured by your family and friends. Cradled by the ladies at St Vinnies and Caritas when widowed. You are accepting of the priest's reassurance, “if you are ever lonely, Jean, go to the Post Office Corner – there is always someone to talk to.....”

You have not left this earth
You are the excitement of the front door opening Sunday morning, the Sunday paper being delivered, the patter of little feet, the bright child voice “Hello Nana, it’s only me”, the low male voice “Nana its us”. You are followed by generations of life and love and care and responsibility.

You have not left this earth
You are the loyal armchair fan. The Eels could never make a try or score a goal without you cheering. You sometimes scared small babies in your enthusiasm. You are the ultimate umpire whose decision declared whether a win or loss ...... “a game or a shame”.

You have not left this earth
You are the certainty of the yearly birthday card (with money inserted). Sometimes, a little late......, the firm flowing script, love Mum, love Nana, love Jean, concluding with the expected salutation “God Bless”. We never did convince you that our birthday was for us alone ....... not for buying coffee for the spouse ..... I wonder if being a twin gave you a different perspective on sharing?

You have not left this earth
You are the stability of a family. The roots of the family tree. You nourished us, with baked dinners, scones and caramel tarts. You worried about us ..... and when there were no real worries, you worried anyway ........ I always thought that we paid you for........

You have not left this earth
You are the strength of the crowbar, to be found by you “where it was last used”. Dad and Rod always took the blame for its loss. You rested it against the nearest gum tree. You could always be relied on to know where it could be found, occasionally claiming it was “ in my pocket”.

You have not left this earth
You are the love, expressed not with words but with a hand raised to your lips. A kiss that allowed the recipient to know your true and heartfelt feeling.

You have not left this earth
You are the conscience of the nation, scrutinising “Question Time”, listening to talk back radio. Telling all those in power “you’re just like school children”. All the time you worry about the future of Australia and the legacy being left to the next generations.

You have not left this earth
You are independence ..... willing to earn her own money, a feminist ahead of her generation....... strong willed – the determined elderly lady, who despite pain and infirmity, and a left leg and arm that were not working well...... could find the energy to sit on the side of the bed to demand .... “Take me home, what do I have to say to you? Take me home”.

You have not left this earth
You are the love of a wife, who stands beside her husband through golden harvest and drought, and flood you carry the buckets of water, you worry over pigs and lambs and cows. You helped him with almost all jobs, went mad at him when he left some machine in pieces on the back verandah ... rejoiced with him when the price was good. This is your lot, your choice, your life. You thrive and raise the next generation.

You have not left this earth
You are the gentle flood waters. Easing across the flat dry plain. Nourishing each root and seed. Preparing the earth for the next season, the next harvest

You have not left this earth
You are the Divine Love of the God within, walking the earth for all eternity.

Living beyond your values and beliefs ...... giving them meaning day after day.

You are

a life

well lived.