Wendy's birthday

Wendy's birthday. She'd have been 88 today if she were still alive. My mind is full of memories of all the wonderful times we had, all over the world.  We were very fortunate to have 55 years together. I continue to be thankful on her behalf that I behaved in a gentleman-like manner, as Jane Austen might have put it, and let her go first.

Malala

Occasionally a single person captures the whole world's imagination. Nelson Mandela comes to mind, a man whose wisdom, compassion, tolerance transcended the brutality and evil racism of the regime that he and his followers replaced. Something similar is happening to Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager who was shot by the Taleban in the Swat Valley because she not only refused to stop going to school but spoke up boldly and eloquently in favour of equal rights to education for girls.  She is 16 now, seemingly fully recovered from the gunshot wound that miraculously did little or no damage to her brain - although it severed her facial nerve and destroyed hearing in one ear. She is articulate, obviously very intelligent, modestly chuffed that she is a candidate for this year's Nobel Peace Prize, in interviews momentarily a bubbly teenager fond of the current teen pop star's "music" - but deadly serious about the cause of equality of educational opportunity for girls and boys. She is also burning with ambition, considering whether medicine or politics offer the best platform for her to advance the causes she believes in. Later this week we will know whether she wins the Nobel Peace Prize. I'll hold this post until the award is announced.

Well, Malala was awarded the European Union's Human Rights Prize, but the Nobel Peace Prize went to a group overseeing removal of chemical weapons from Syria. She would have been credible Nobel Peace prize award winner but perhaps she has been recognized  and feted enough for the time being. If or when she fulfills the promise she shows as a young teen ager there will be time and opportunity later for further recognition and no doubt awards.

What I take away from my observation of her recent performances and speeches is much renewed hope for the future. I'm reminded of David Suzuki's daughter, who spoke most eloquently and movingly to the United Nations when she was 11 or 12 years old. She showed great promise, and it was fulfilled when she was a young woman. Now she is married to a handsome First nations man from Haida Gwaii and devoting the next phase of her life to breeding. Malala may follow a similar trajectory, although she demonstrates  a steely resolve that suggests she may put her public life ahead of private and cultural pressures to marry and have many babies. Time will tell, and it's unlikely that I will be here to observe the ultimate outcome. But my bet, if I had one, would be on Malala giving higher priority to public life and fulfillment than withdrawal, temporary or long term, into marriage and family life.  

Farewell Harald Ziemer

Today an email from Dodie Ziemer brought the sad news that her husband Harald Ziemer had died suddenly and quietly while sleeping beside her,  Dodie and Harald arrived in Adelaide as immigrants from Germany in Christmas week 1955.  I met them when I was on call for the entire Western Clinic on Christmas Day.  I think it was only their second or third day in Australia.  They were recently married and their migration to Australia was in some ways rather like an adventurous prolonged honeymoon. 

We soon became good friends.  Years later Harald told me once when we were visiting them that Wendy's and my home - our first small rented cottage when we'd been married ourselves only for a few weeks - was the first Australian home into which they had been invited.  

They did well in Australia. Harald was registrar of the Lutheran boy's college in Melbourne for many years. Their four children have all done well too, and all have produced admirable members of the next generation. They have begun to establish a dynasty in Australia, successful migrants who are contributing to Australia's success. 

Harald Ziemer, Wendy, Dodie Ziemer, Melbourne, August 2005

Harald's family, Dodie, their four children, all their grandchildren, can look with pride and love upon their accomplishments and contributions. As for me, I am aware of another gap in my life as another good and true friend departs. I will miss Harald, and keep his memory alive in my thoughts.