Mother's Day 2026

Thanks for the thoughtful gift, Babu! This Lego diorama of the legendary Millennium Falcon embodies the roller-coaster ride we shared for uncountable hours. 

Flown by galactic luminaries, Millennium Falcon has undoubtedly captured a million hearts over decades. Little wonder, my son and I clenched our fists as Han Solo and Chwebacca steered her to hyperspace with awed Stormtroopers at their wake - much to the relief of the elegant maverick Princess Leia. We held on to our breath as Luke dangled from Cloud City and Millennium Falcon soared to rescue him - the coterie of Lando, Leia, Chewbacca, 3PO, R2D2 immaculately accomplishing the goal before setting off to Tatooine with an elaborate machination to liberate Han Solo from his carbonite case. Later, we heaved audible sighs as the spaceship finally reunited with her apparently rightful owner, a spry Han and co-pilot Chewbacca - thanks to proficient Poe, fugitive Finn, and rebellious Rey! Though we have moved on since with genres we prefer, we both know we'll never dither to cuddle up on wintry evenings watching her zoom across our TV screen.

Owning this coveted Lego sums it up all and more! Let's revisit and rejoice the back-story of adrenaline rush behind it's pick-up and the 5-hour focused assembling. Dad thundered down the Thunderbolts Way leading us out of Armidale couple of weeks back, sometimes hoping to reach Target, Tuggerah, on time for the click-and-collect order, and at times thwarted by the bulky trucks trudging along the single lane scenic road. A minute before the mall closes, we parked, sparking an adventurous thrill -  our son bolted to the mall and slid beneath the large lowering steel shutters to plead a staff for collection. We laughed, cheered, and thanked the people when they handed us the package before hopping onto our car. An hour later, our son was visibly steeped in 11 paper packets of miniscule Lego pieces, obdurately working his fingers to the bone to see the final form of Falcon by midnight.

And what did I have for him in return? Time - like all mums do all their life! 

Despite my ageing knees, I nodded when he asked politely for company in the atrocious 4Km Blue Gum Walk! The track tested our scrambling, stretching, hopping skills for an hour and half with a constant consternation that the sunset would plunge the wooded area in darkness before we looped back to our car. All our efforts to expedite were in vain - either the spots were too beautiful to skip photographing or too treacherous to push our speed limits. 

My knees still hurt and my feet are reluctant to fall where I intend them to, which is why this is not a late post - it's Mother's Day Hangover.

Dona, Sydney, May '26