April Fool’s Day always makes me think of my father…

April Fool’s Day is a funny old tradition isn’t it? The history pages tell us that we don’t really know where it comes from…and it almost feels like a lifetime ago since it was so funny. Why does it seem so far removed from this complex world we have all created? ? Personally, AFD always makes me think of my father Mac, who passed away 18 years ago now. That feels like it can’t be right..but surprisingly it is. He was ever the charming stirrer and never, ever, ever missed an opportunity to make the most of pulling a few pranks when I was growing up. It was always a bone of ill-ease for me… the looming uncertainty of when I would be caught out being fooled. I thought I had an unfair disadvantage being the youngest... but now I am not sure he would have been so targeted. He really did just enjoy a good, hearty tease! I was a particularly guileless kid/teenager/adult so I was a perfect candidate for such things! It was a fortunate time growing up on an orchard in country Victoria in the 70’s and 80’s. Not much telly, heaps of freedom to ride your trusty pushbike wherever the wind blew, lots of time doing not a lot and then having the imagination to keep yourself well and truly occupied doing small things. Bonfires, endless Summer holidays and lots of experimental crafting. Dad always loomed large in my life. Really he was a larger than life character…well known and liked in the district, and wherever we went, we always met a person that he knew. He had no social boundaries, everyone was equal and I remember his good nature, his interest in fairness, and his sense of civic duty with much love. And I am saddened that it’s been 18 years since his gentle, big, hardworking and life well lived, hands gently patted my own…but that is life.