Indre Kisonas
In order to tell my story I must share and be personal.
I recently had a health scare. It resulted in a 4am plan. Don’t you love those fabulous ideas you get in the twilight hours of the morning, when really, you should be sound asleep. I realised I am in an enviable position of having no responsibilities I can’t leave, no ties I can’t break and a dream of vanning across the country that can no longer wait.
I followed through with making this dream a possibility, before I could think things through too much and talk myself out of my big adventure. Comfort, security, a home, friends and a job are all wonderful reasons to stay. Adventure, new sights, smells and being thrust out of a comfort zone are all good reasons to go.
So, I started saying my goodbyes. Initially I thought my goodbyes may have been permanent. I was not prepared for the impact my calculated decision was going to have on my loved ones. In your own mind you’ve made a decision and the plan seems sound. The ones that are left seem to do the grieving.
As it turns out, my existence on this planet will be for a lot longer than my health scare suggested. My goodbyes to Daylesford and Daylesford friends have been beautifully emotional and quite unexpected as I hadn’t quite realised the strength of the ties that I had made.
I truly love the town and the beautiful people. I love my contributions and love the memories and experiences I have made. Without the genuine interactions and heartfelt goodbyes, I wouldn’t have realised the impact made on me or others.
It is a blessing in a sense, as I think of the celebrations people have before their funerals. Celebrations of life. They want to experience the emotions of bonds and heartfelt ties whilst they can. To have the conversations and hugs in person. Until a tragedy or illness takes us away, we may never realise how we have impacted others in their lives or how others have impacted ours.
It is truly a gift to realise that friendship and love has a much wider expanse than our daily routines and daily habits let us initially think about.
Never underestimate the impact you have made in your community.
Never think you are not liked or loved.
Never think you won’t be missed.
You’ll be surprised to find the depth and size of this impact, so my words of wisdom to you all are that you don’t wait for your funeral or goodbye party to realise how special people are to you.
Don’t wait to hug, smile, appreciate or compliment others.
Don’t wait to start on your bucket list. Life is too short and there is an abundance of appreciation for all you have and for all those you touch.
Thank you Daylesford and beautiful people for the interactions and friendships and love. My vanning adventure beckons and new horizons must be seen.
Home will be made anew.
Indre Kisonas is an active member of the Daylesford CFA among her many community involvements. (Photo supplied)
Indre Kisonas is a Daylesford resident and the owner and principal designer of iok design. She specialises in colour & interior design. This is her farewell contribution to The Wombat Post.
