Big Blue Table Forum Style

[Summer Rose]

I want to invite you all to lunch.

Some of you may know that Beyondblue recently launched a new fundraising event called the Big Blue Table, which runs during Mental Health Month (October). The idea is for people to invite guests to share a meal and start a conversation about mental health.

Some of us may want to participate, but be unable to due to a range of issues, such as poor health, financial pressure, homeless or social isolation. So, I thought we could honour the sentiment here but keep the conversation light in keeping with this thread.

So, how about you all bring a dish and if you want tell us why you chose it. And share the name of a famous person (living or deceased) and why, you’d like to invite them to our lunch.

I’m making a big tray of lasagna because it’s one of my mother’s most loved recipes. Everyone loved it so much that she was very cheeky and never shared it when asked! She did, however, give it to me when I got married.

And I’m inviting Olivia Newton John because I adored her talent, am grateful for her philanthropy and just miss her.

Your turn …

[Summer Rose]

Hi EM

Your Grandma sounds like an amazing woman and she surely loved you. A love like that is hard to part with—hugs to you.

Thai salad sounds great! I can’t wait to try it!

Any you and everyone else can come to lunch as often as you like! Perhaps we can all share the highlight of our day?

For me it was walking out into the beautiful sunshine yet cool air of today, which always renews my sense of hope. Life is a cycle and the spring is always something to look forward to.

Kind thoughts to you

[mmMekitty]

Hi Summer Rose,

I've been thinking about who actually 'inspires' me, & I'm not sure anyone does. I know there are people I admire & I think I'd have a lot of time for as well. Lots of people on BB fit that description, & I am hoping they all find their way to this Big Blue Table. Some are here already, 😺I'm glad to see. The journeys we have all travelled come as close to inspiring me more than anything else I can think of. Tough challenges faced, great efforts made to overcome great difficulties. Here the sense of being together is what helps the most.

& I'm bringing a Multi-Mega-Mountain Salad, with enough for everyone to take some home as well. I can mix mixes to order, so no-on has to pick out any bits they don't like. I like mayo, but for this occasion, I am prepared to bring other dressing choices as well.

😺

mmMekitty

[geoff]

Dear Summer Rose and EM , thank you for your lovely thoughts and yes even being 68 isn't it funny I still miss her deeply. x

[Summer Rose]

Hi mmMekitty

I am so happy that you are joining us here. I have seen many of your fabulous posts and love your heart, nice to officially meet you!

You make a great point about being inspired by members of our community. We are a family of everyday heros, and I am constantly amazed by the strength, compassion and courage found on forum pages. And everyone is welcome at our Big Blue Table!

That’s the other thing I love about this place. No judgment, no exclusion. Reading other people’s stories and offering support helps to keep me going. I feel less alone with my battles.

Your salad sounds like a lot of work but I know it will be delicious! Thank you.

Kind thoughts to you 

[Summer Rose]

Hi Geoff

I totally understand your lingering sense of loss. I lost my dad about 40 years ago and I still miss him and think about him today.  And now mum is gone too.

But in my belief system he and mum are now reunited—so there’s my silver lining. Took me a long time to see it though.

I feel so lucky to have a phone full of mum videos and photos. It’s such a blessing to hear her voice. But I treasure my yellowing frayed photos of Dad, too. Do you have photos and keepsakes you treasure?

Do you want to share anything about your mum? What would she wear to our lunch? What would she want to talk about? Would she make us laugh?

No pressure to answer any of these questions. Just interested in you and your life.

Kind thoughts to you 

[geoff]

Hello Summer Rose, aren't you a sweetie.

I, unfortunately was one person who didn't have a camera and relied on my brothers/sister to take the photos, so I don't have any photos of Mum, except for what was given to me, that's what I now regret.

I remember Mum used to have her hair done every Saturday morning, she loved it, speaking with the same girls every time, a glass or two of champagne and would come home with her nails done and with all different types of decorations on them.

That night after going out she would wrap her hair up with toilet paper to preserve the shape.

She always loved us having our friends around as did Dad, who was always a good father until Mum was put in a nursing home, then he was controlled by someone else, which was so sad, as he told us the best time to ring him was when he was at work and could talk freely.

My best to you.

Geoff.

Life Member.

[Summer Rose]

Hi Geoff

You have made my day by painting such an eloquent and beautiful picture of your mum. I see a fun-loving, gregarious woman who always presented as a fine lady—with a bit of zing about her. Love that she had fun with her nails!

I’m sorry you don’t have many photos of your mum, but I guess that makes the ones you were given real treasures.

I hope her final days in the nursing home were peaceful. My mum spent that last year of her life in a nursing home but never really adjusted. It was a very challenging time, as she was also terribly sick with cancer.

Sounds like your dad’s distance added a lot of distress to your life. I’m so sorry. I really hope the time you had with your mum was good.

Kind thoughts to you