Playing hooky in Australia: I’m taking a break from helping families find health care

A Koala in one of Sydney’s animal parks

Greetings from Australia! It’s a great place to play hooky from my job in America. I’m taking a vacation from helping families find health care for their loved ones.

What about my keen interest in kangaroos and koalas? For me, it goes back to a little boy named Alexander, the star of three classic children’s books by Judith Viorst. One of those is Alexander, Who’s Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It. Going to Move.)

One of Alexander’s pet phrases is “I’m going to move to Australia!” Alexander has been given bad news by his parents. His father’s job is taking the family 1000 miles away. He is horrified!  As he says goodbye to friends, the postman, his schoolmates and more, he continually says, ” I’ve not going to move.”  Or “I’m going to move to Australia!”

Like Alexander, we all face losses in life. And those losses mount as we age. Take our parents. They have lost spouses, friends, and stature in the community.  The places they knew so well may seem foreign.  If a senior moves to a retirement or assisted living community, there can be more losses to review as well, at least initially..

Maybe you’re an adult child, or a professional working with many seniors. You, too, can face losses. The job of caregiving or supporting caregivers can overwhelm, to the point of causing us to suffer what is called “Compassion Fatigue.”

That’s where Australia comes in. It’s a symbol of respite, a break from your demanding work. It’s one way of combating compassion fatigue.  A trip, or a period of rest, is one way to resurrect your life.

Back to Australia. I’m already feeling refreshed.

Baby penguins are a big hit!