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Published: October 5th 2010
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Sept 13-19, 2010: One of the aims of this trip through the South West had always been to make it to Austin, Texas, where Phil has both a niece and a nephew and their spouses and children. For the 2.5 years we were living in the Pacific North West, we never got to visit them. It's a long way: 2,400 miles from Portland, Oregon—but then, compared to Australia, it seemed that we were “close” by being in the same country. The time to make it to Austin had truly come. When we tried to figure out when we'd last seen them, we thought it was at Lorraine's wedding in Sydney in 2003. So — 7 years and lots of change since then.
As we wended our way through the National Parks, we came to a guestimate of when we'd be in Austin, and sent them emails. As it turned out, with those dates we were just going to MISS Brian, as he was leaving for Ethiopia!!! Brian works for “A Glimmer of Hope”, which is a non-profit organization which partners with Ethiopians to dig/drill water wells, and build schools and health clinics in remote areas where none of these are
Karen, Ellie and Brian Cooper, and Macy
Ellie, no longer a 7 year old.
Just a few minutes before Brian was leaving on the Ethiopia trip. available.
“A Glimmer of Hope” has been named one of the very best organizations of its kind because of its achievements to date and because it guarantees that 100% of donations go to the actual projects. In fact, it takes donors on tours to see the wells, schools and clinics that they've contributed to. Its running costs are borne by the funds provided by its founders. We were very moved by the video of Brian commissioning the well he and his wife Karen had donated in the name of his father and mother—Phil's brother Edmond and his sister-in-law Betty.
(If you want to know more, check out http://www.aglimmerofhope.org/)
So we made some recalculations, dropped the 3 days it would have taken to swing through LA (sorry, folks!!--catch you next year) and aimed to arrive 2 days before Brian's flight.
Result: We had a totally wonderful visit! Ellie (was 7, now 14) and Ethan (was 3, now 10—please forgive me if my numbers are slightly off) had become even more delightful, and we had enough time with Brian and Karen to catch up and get to know them better. We also got to go with them to
Karen, Ellie and Brian Cooper
The swimming pool had just been cleaned up from the downhill mud flow from the recent floods from the hurricane. the travelling German exhibition of “The Body” at Uni. Texas and do some sightseeing with Karen. Also, Karen's mother Margaret was visiting, too, so that was an added bonus. Brian took us to the Glimmer of Hope headquarters—what a place! Wonderful people, and an ambiance of giant photos, clippings about their work and lots of African artifacts.
Once Brian had flown off, we headed a bit out of Austin to Driftwood to see Denise, Bruce and Bonnie. Their 2 older sons have moved on to the Air Force and college in Florida, but Bonnie (was 10, now 17!) has grown into a lovely young woman, working out plans of her own for college next year.
Denise took us to the Wimberley Glass Factory (such beautiful artisanry!) and guided us about walks and day tripping while she had to be doing other things. On Saturday we picnicked at their neighbourhood winery in Driftwood (imagine!) and on Sunday we all went in to Austin to the Museum of the History of Texas, which was a revelation.
Did you know that--
Texas had first been inhabited by Native Americans,
then it was taken over by Spain.
1824: Mexico became a
republic on lands including Texas, and invited settlers from the United States. (Yes, in those days the
immigrants to Texas were the Americans!)
1830: Mexico forbade any further immigration from the USA because it was felt there were too many coming.
1832-33: The settlers in Texas held conventions about their discontent with rule from Mexico City.
1836: Texas declared Independence from Mexico, fought several battles and won Independence.
1840: The Comanche Indians mounted a challenge to the Texas Republic. More lives lost.
1839-1844: Texas self-managed as an independent republic
1845: Texas was annexed to the United States of America
1846: The Mexican -American War arose over disputed boundaries. The boundary was settled at the Rio Grande River.
1861: Texas seceded from the USA and joined the Confederate States.
1864: With the end of the Civil War, Texas returned to being a state in the USA.
What an amazing history! I could just imagine someone representing Texas, wearing a Lone Star and singing “I Did It My Way”.
We ended up the weekend with a traditional Texas BBQ dinner and a greater understanding of the Texas view of things.
It was such a treat to have time with
Approaching the Driftwood home
Though the gate was further down the road, the turn-off was regal. both families at a more leisurely pace than at Christmases past, and the chance to chat and do things together. Thanks again!!
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Michelle Cavanagh
non-member comment
Family!!
Great to see you reunited with family - what a treat!! And I hope our treat is coming this Saturday when we see you at our place. What a great trip you've had - thanks for sharing. M xx