Family Life

Copyright © 2013 by Renae Joy Scott.

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CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

FAMILY LIFE

MOVING AROUND

HOSPITALS

SPIRITUAL OPERATION

Author’s Comments in Italics

Our thanks go to the many people who contributed to the publishing of Renae’s book.

Special mention goes to the Parkside Foundation

for their generous gift.

PROLOGUE

On the 29th of March 2011, in the stillness and darkness of the early morning, my family was shook with tragic news. My sister had passed away.

It’s hard to explain the torrent of emotions that have filled me over time since then. How the sorrow comes in waves, how every time I think about it all—my heart feels raw and broken.

It’s hard also, for me to write this but I want to—I feel I need to . . . for her. To let as many people as I can, know just how incredible she was.

Ever since her birth, her life has been difficult. She was born with a genetic disease called Myotonic Dystrophy. Which most people I am sure have never heard of before. It’s a muscle degenerative condition, which basically means the muscles waste away.

During childhood, my sister dealt with countless hospital trips for many operations. During adulthood, my sister thrived until she had a simple tripping accident that broke her leg. After subsequently breaking the leg 2 more times and being unable to build the muscle again to walk—she was constricted to a wheelchair.

But this is not what I want to talk about or focus on at all. I want to talk about my sister and who she was.

The first thing that comes to my mind is her heart and her soul.

Completely pure, completely honest. There was no second guessing, no grey areas . . . if she was disappointed, you would know; if she didn’t like you, you would know; if she was happy, we would all be happy.

She didn’t compromise who she was or what she felt.

Some people say she was stubborn to a fault . . . I totally disagree. Her steadfast nature, is what kept her with us for so long. Over the last few years, there have been many times when she would go into hospital complaining of pain or being ill with a chest infection, that the Drs would say she wasn’t going to make it. But EVERY time without fail, she would pull through and gain physical strength from her inner strength.

I remember one of those times 2 years ago, when the Drs were telling us to prepare ourselves—I went in to see her. Her head was hanging low, she wouldn’t talk to anyone—she looked weak and over it all. I stood across by the end of her bed and she glanced up at me, our eyes met, her eyes twinkled. I knew instantly that she was going to be ok. I felt a higher connection with her that day—a sisters bond, like a strong rope joining our hearts. So every time since then, when the Drs would say this is it, I would shrug it off.

Which, I guess, is why this timing is so shocking. She had never been healthier since before she broke her leg. For the last 6 months, she has been doing so well. In the last six months, she lived as well as she could although physically stuck in her wheelchair, her personality reached far beyond those confines. She was full of cheek, full of creativity, full of heart, hopes and dreams.

Her inability to have children of her own, didn’t stop her from living out this dream . . . she wrote stories, played with dolls and watched shows like The Brady Bunch, Family Ties and Full House. I also like to think spending some time with my boys, gave her something extra.

The last photo I ever took of Renae, was Christmas time. Where we were surrounded by family, love and laughter. The kind of day you never want to end.

I guess that’s why we wanted to publish this book. To not just keep that family, that love and that joy alive—but to also spread it to as many people as we can, in the hopes that her story (both fiction and in reality) will inspire even more.

My sister, my friend—I never got to tell you how proud of you I am. How your spunk and courage astounds me. How even though, you think what I have is something to want—what you have is so much more. You have a life that was filled with inspiration, you have a heart that is non-bias, you have a spirit that will live on in the lives of EVERYONE who has ever known you. You have touched lives in a way you don’t even know. I am so humbled to call you my sister, I am so lucky to have had the life I had with you. I am who I am today . . . because of you. And that is the truth.

I will miss you. But we will dance together again.

Written with love by

Danielle Burrows.

FAMILY LIFE

A tall dark Tower stood silhouetted against the sunset. The sunset was really beautiful and all the way up the tower there were small rectangle windows. The Tower stood in a lot with houses around, about five.

Three of the houses had families living in them, two were for sale.

1st family—Father: Luke Caldwell, Mother: Katie,

Kids: Sarah 13, Callum 7 and Thomas 1.

2nd family—Father: Logan Brewer, Mother: Kristy,

Kids: Sally 11 and Andrew 6.

3rd family—Father: David White, Mother: Karen,

Kids: Elizabeth 3, Caitlan 2 and Emily 6mths.

All families had one rule that no kids were

allowed to go into the Tower alone.

One day a new family moved into the area.

Father: Shannon McGill, Mother: Kathy,

Kids: Stacey 10, Dawn 7 and Mary-Ann 4.

They were always getting each other into trouble, especially Stacey.

Katie, Kristy and Karen welcomed the new family to the area.

One afternoon, Kristy was washing some dishes, when Sally came rushing in yelling, Mummy, Mummy! Andy has gone into the Tower with Stacey!

WHAT? shouted Kristy and both of them ran to the Tower.

They heard two voices, apparently Stacey was ordering Andrew to go up to the top of the Tower, but Andy was scared of heights.

Kristy yelled out at the top of her voice, GET BACK THIS MINUTE!

Andrew ran back really fast to his mother, but Stacey just stood in the entrance, smiling and saying politely, Mrs. Brewer I was telling him to go home to you but he wouldn’t listen.

Kristy didn’t believe her and she told Stacey to go home this very minute.

Andrew said, Mummy do you believe her?

No replied Kristy, I’m going to talk to her mother about this, you and Sally go play at home or watch some telly.

Kristy went straight to Kathy’s house knocked loudly on the door.

Dawn answered, who is only seven years old, and said, May I ask who you are?

Kristy was a bit surprised but answered Yes, I’m Kristy Brewer. Can I see your mother please?

Dawn let Kristy in and followed her to the lounge-room, where Kathy was reading Mary-Ann a book called ‘Stuart Little’.

Kathy looked up as Kristy entered the room, Oh Hi Kristy, with what do I owe this pleasure?

Kristy replied, I would like to talk to you privately.

Kathy and Kristy went into the kitchen and sat down. When Kristy told her about Stacey taking Andrew into the Tower, Kathy jumped up Oh no! she cried, I’m so sorry!

Kristy then knew that Stacey had disobeyed her mother. Kathy went on, saying that Stacey always plays up.

She then yelled out, STACEY WILL YOU COME HERE, RIGHT NOW!

Stacey came out slowly. She knew that Kathy meant business.

Stacey, said Kathy in a stern voice. I want you to say sorry to Mrs. Brewer.

Stacey pretended to be surprised and answered," Why?’’

Kathy said, Say sorry for taking Andy into the Tower. Her voice was getting louder and angrier.

Stacey hung her head and said, I’m sorry.

Kathy added, And, Mrs. Brewer. Stacey apologized.

Kristy nodded her head with a tight smile.

Kathy told Stacey that she was grounded for one and half weeks.

Stacey got up shouted WHAT? glaring at her mother.

You want to make it for three weeks? said her mother angrily.

Then Stacey stomped off.

I better go. said Kristy getting up.

All I can say is sorry again. said Kathy quietly and put her head down.

Kristy put her hand on Kathy’s shoulder, It’s alright, I’m just glad Andy is not hurt.

Me too. Kathy said.

On the way home, Katie came over to Kathy and told her that Sarah was looking after Sally and Andrew. That made Kristy feel relaxed and soon as she walked in, everything was quiet, everyone was in the playroom.

Andrew was asleep on the floor, Sally was playing patience with cards, and Sarah was sitting in the rocking chair reading.

Kristy told Sarah, "Thank you very much. Would you like to baby-sit for me sometimes?"

Sarah led Kristy into the kitchen so she wouldn’t wake Andrew and Sarah said excitedly, Yes, I would love to, thank you, and Sarah left.

Kristy went back to the playroom and carefully lifted up Andy to put him in his bed, then Sally wanted to watch ‘Mary Poppins’ on the telly. Kristy said she could as long as it was low so Andy can keep on sleeping.

That afternoon, Karen came to visit with her three girls. Elizabeth is three yrs, Caitlan is two yrs and Emily is six months old. They were very good kids, plus very quiet and placid. Kristy and Karen had afternoon tea with coffee and biscuits with cheese on them, but Elizabeth (Liz for short) and Caitlan (Catey for short) had soft things that Karen brought for them and Emily (Em for short) just slept in her Capsule. Half an hour later, Em woke up hungry at the same time as Andrew. He was crying and just wanted to cuddle his mother. Karen breastfed Emily.

‘Mary Poppins’ had just finished and Sally came into the kitchen and when she saw Emily, she wanted to nurse her. So after her feed Sally held Emmy,

Both hands, said Kristy.

And support her head, added Karen.

Sally felt so grown up but she was only eight yrs old, also she felt proud.

After a while Karen had to leave to make dinner, Kristy carried Andrew to the playroom so she could make her tea. Kristy made a salad and a rice dish or a Chinese meal. As soon as Kristy finished making tea, Logan came home from work. He works in an office in town, doing reports and letters for people.

Logan came in he said Mmm tea smells nice.

Sally and Andrew came into the kitchen. Andy had a high riser, a little seat on a normal chair.

Sally loved the salad but when Kristy put the Chinese meal on the table Sally said Oh yuck, I don’t want that mucky stuff.

Logan got very serious and said, Then you don’t get dessert till you clear your plate.

Sally shouted, NO.

Logan takes no nonsense, he got up and said Don’t yell at us and he took Sally by the hand and took her to her bedroom and smacked her bottom. He told her, Stay here till you are ready to speak nice to us and he left Sally in her room crying.

Meanwhile, at Kathy’s house they were eating stir-fry, everyone except Stacey and Mary-Ann.

Stacey was being so rude and swearing so Shannon said, If you don’t eat now, you will have it for breakfast, he told her to go to her room.

Mary-Ann was pouting and Kathy said kindly Just try, so she did her best. After that Kathy told her she did a good job and she got dessert. She is only six years old.

Dawn ate all her tea and dessert as well.

At Katie’s place they were having steak and veggies and Sarah, Callum had all theirs, but Luke fed Thomas because he is only one year old.

But at Karen’s house, Lizzie and Catey were sitting in their high chairs, eating very soft mashed up veggies and Karen still had to breastfeed little Emily.

The next day was a Sunday and all the families went to church, all the kids went to Sunday school, except Emily and Thomas.

After the church service, everyone stayed and had a BBQ lunch.

Karen was happily talking with Caitlan on her hip. Emily was asleep in her capsule.

Back at home, Elizabeth had a nap and Emily had a feed and a change.

She went to her cot to sleep again. Caitlan just laid on the beanbag and she was very quiet.

Karen came into the lounge room from the kitchen and when she saw her daughter she became worried, Caitlan honey, are you feeling ok?

Karen touched Catey’s forehead. It was a bit hot.

Caitlan groaned, Oh Mummy my tummy.

Karen picked her up onto her lap and now she was close to her.

Caitlan looked pale, white as a sheet.

Suddenly Caitlan started to cry.

Karen wiped her tears with a tissue and rocked her, Oh sweetheart Karen said softly, It’s going to be alright.

Caitlan went to bed and because David wasn’t home Karen called another doctor named Dr. Jobe.

Just then the phone rang, it was Kathy wanting to let Karen know that Mary-Ann was on her way over.

Karen had to tell Kathy that Caitlan is feeling unwell but Kathy told her that Mary-Ann must stay away from Catey.

When Mary-Ann arrived, Elizabeth woke up, so for a while, both girls played together.

About an hour later, Mary-Ann asked Karen, Where’s Catey?

Karen sat her down and tried to explain where Caitlan was.

Mary-Ann said in an angry voice, No I want to play with her too and with that, she was crying and stomping around.

Stop please, pleaded Karen You’ll wake up Emily, but she didn’t stop. Karen rang Katie, to send over Sarah to help her. Sarah was there in a flash and Karen asked Sarah to take Mary-Ann home. She is being a terror. Sarah practically pulled Mary-Ann home, with her crying the whole way.

At Kathy’s home Mary-Ann was actually crying and yelling.

Stacey yelled out SHUT UP JERK!

Kathy rolled her eyes, That’s enough Stace.

Then Kathy turned to her youngest daughter, Can you please stop this noise?

Mary-Ann didn’t stop.

Right sighed Kathy, who practically dragged Mary-Ann to her room and said very sternly, Stay here till you stop this nonsense.

She shut the door and back to cleaning the kitchen.

Sarah went back to Karen’s, where the doctor had arrived and checked over Catey.

After ½ hr the doctor talked to Karen very seriously, Caitlan has a fever. I need you to keep a cool washer on her forehead. If she gets any worse take her to the hospital.

Sarah offered to help her out with Elizabeth and Emily, Karen said she would be fine.

Kristy was outside with Sally looking at the Tower and Sally asked,

Can we paint this tower, it would look nice.

Kristy looked down at her daughter and answered, Maybe, but what colour?

Pink said Sally quickly and Kristy then laughed,

Oh you’re cute, maybe something that would look beautiful.

Logan came out then with a camera and wanted to take a photo of the Tower.

Just then Sally jumped up and down, With me, with me.

Okay, smiled Logan, Alright, stand in front of the Tower and smile.

As soon as Logan was ready, he said Say cheese and CLICK went the camera.

Early in the afternoon another family moved in.

Father : Mark Brooke, Mother: Catherine and they had one little girl Olivia, who was nine years old.

Katie, Kristy and Karen went to welcome the newcomers and they brought a nice beautiful cake for a late afternoon tea.

Back at David and Karen’s place, Karen was being kept busy rinsing out a washer for Catey’s forehead.

All of a sudden, Caitlan started screaming and crying but wasn’t moving much. Karen was panicked.

She quickly rang the ambulance, they came really quickly, I mean really quickly.

The men Billy and Wally assessed Catey.

Karen quickly, very quickly packed a bag and off they sped.

As soon as they got to the hospital, the doctor’s saw Caitlan straight away. First, they gave her some panadol for the pain. Once Catey had calmed down Dr. Window (his name) ordered an x-ray, then an ultrasound.

The results came back, it was Gall Stones. So, the best thing to do is to have keyhole surgery and have them removed.

Then Catey was taken to the Children’s Ward and into a cot.

Karen stayed the whole time with a fold out bed next to her sweet daughter.

The next day was for surgery, Caitlan had no breakfast and Karen went up to theatre with her but not to the operation room.

When Caitlan woke up, she was in the recovery room and her mother was smiling down at her stroking her face. But something was sticking into her arm. Caitlan looked up and saw a drip fluid going through with a needle in her arm but she didn’t cry, she was trying to be brave.

Meanwhile back in the Tower area, most of the kids were getting ready for school.

Sarah was up and dressed and was packing her school backpack.

Callum was scared this year, because he was starting prep in a bigger school but Sarah promised to look out for him.

Mary-Ann loved going to kindergarten. She didn’t like holidays much.

With Stacey, well she hated school. She said It’s the worst place in the whole world.

Dawn said back What about poor little Caitlan in hospital?

So? Stacey said rudely, then she added School is crap.

Dawn and everyone shook their heads not liking Stacey’s remark.

Dawn wasn’t paying much attention, she did what she had to do. She had no friends at school, she tended to herself and