Dear Reader

Travelling to see My Sister

After three weeks or so since my recent visit, I’m back here in Australia, visiting family again.

This time I’m travelling alone. I’m no stranger to solo travelling and I admit I love it. However, this time it felt like I was on an automated conveyor belt, passing through the landscape at my own pace but in a set order and direction, to be plonked in my airline seat and then spat out the other side into the arms of my niece Jane who came to pick me up.

I’d left home at midnight local time (Brisbane) and was greeted by Jane about nine hours later – all in all the flight itself was three hours. Other than with my husband and niece, there was no personal conversation at all. I had this sense I was invisible. Weird.

I’m here visiting my sister. We’ve been having a beautiful time enjoying the beautiful connection we’ve had since she was born. Here I am, aged eight, proud big sister of Megan aged two.

My sister is one of life’s angels, born to bring joy and comfort to others. Regardless of the busyness of her job, or the directives of her ‘superiors’ I know my sister would never have let anyone pass her in those airport cattle lines without a smile, a cheery word and looking them in the eye and letting them know they were seen.

I'm so lucky to have a sister. We both have special friends who are like sisters to each of us and we value the sisterhood that comes through shared life experiences.

But there's a special link we have because the blood running through our veins is the same.

It’s precious spending time together. I love the way we slip into the old familiar ways of being when we are together. Almost speaking in a code that requires few words and that is embellished with heart-felt love and kindness. It's always been like this.

I go home in a few days and don’t know when I’ll be back. But I’m treasuring this time and taking away memories more precious than anything this world has to offer. Our lives as family show me that love is all there is – and it’s worth holding dear. I came here because of my love for my sister and our family. It’s the one constant thing in my life and always will be precious to me. The courage my sister has and the love she has in her heart for others and all earth’s creatures has always been an inspiration to me.

It’s special in her and when I witness these traits in our daughters and sons, I treasure them too.

I'd like to leave you with this thought. You and I are not invisible. Whether we're in amongst the crowds; amidst the weird things going on in our world; when times are tough; when times are easy; when we're surrounded by the sea of human complexity, we are not invisible. I see you. You see me. We see each other.

May we always know we are seen. May we always act in ways that others know we see them too.

With love, always,
Stephanie

Why I Write - for you and for me too.

Some stories come from lived experience, like navigating my son’s addiction and the long road of recovery. Others are shaped by imagination, like the cozy mystery I’m writing, set in a small café where trust is both tested and rebuilt. Some of my life stories still bring tears. Others make me smile. And many are filled with memories that warm my heart.

I write for anyone who’s ever carried a burden across generations, and for anyone who longs to heal forward.

I write to bring a little encouragement, comfort and joy into my life and yours.

With love,
Stephanie

My thoughts for Living Life in 2026 and beyond:

"My religion is kindness"

Dalai Lama

“Cast your bread upon the waters and it will
come back - buttered”

Doris May Payne - my mother

"Life is a Daring Adventure or Nothing"

Helen Keller

“Write it on my heart that every day is
the best day of the year”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Remember that sometimes not getting
what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck"
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Dalai Lama

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave [person] is not [the one] who does not feel afraid, but [the one] who conquers that fear.”

Nelson Mandela

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