Apologetic elbows in my sleeping ribs.
by Jason Stringer
Sleep is once again in short supply lately. Both Kerry and Anthony have been/are very sick and I’ve had to step up as super caring husband-father guy again. I’m getting damn good at that job. Although it has taken its toll on my sleeping patterns and ultimately my health, which I have not kept in check (tsk tsk). I’m going to hit the pool as soon as the coast is clear and we hit a regular routine again. Yes, the pool is heated…
Of course any sickness in Kerry’s body is like an open invitation for her lupus and arthritis to chuck an unexpected party; something we are used to tackling as a team over our years together, but being parents has posed new challenges for us to overcome. It’s heartbreaking for a mother to not be able to lift her own crying son, or adequately rock him to sleep or just lift him out of his cot. Her joints just don’t allow it. I can see her fold up inside each time I have to take care of these kind of jobs that she feels should be her right.
Still, she battles on like a trooper and puts up with her two rowdy boys when we have happy play times – the best times. She has thick skin, but I know it is emotionally starting to take its toll once again. She’s just fed up with being unwell and unable to do anything about it. That is the challenge. It’s not so much about getting better, but keeping your mind healthy and in high spirits, not getting down on yourself and keeping everything in a positive perspective. Easier said than done. Easy for you or I to do when we get sick. Now times that by just about everyday of your life and at 25 years tell me how fed up you’d be…
As always, we endeavor to reflect on the silver lining of our situations. We’ve had great quality time while I’ve been home caring for my family, and we’ve had some good discussions about moving forward.
From a personal silver lining, the emotion strain has allowed me to store away feelings in a special little creative box that I can pull out and use when needed on a film set… which brings me to THE PARTY.
THE PARTY is the next project I will be directing through my film school, and I’m ecstatic to have been given the opportunity to direct this gorgeous story! It was written by a classmate and it is unlike anything I have ever made before. The last batch of films you have seen me churn out have all been of the same, bloody ilk: LIVING WITH BENJAMIN, HAIR DYE, HOME and the upcoming HOMECOMING were all great projects to work on, but as a filmmaker (I love that I can call myself that now) I am ready to cut my teeth on something more challenging. I want to say something more, I want to leave thoughts lingering in your mind and reflect on your own situation. THE PARTY gives me a chance to do that. It’s an emotional drama slice of life that delves deep into the emotions of one mother who is distraught on her daughter’s birthday.
Tomorrow my award-winner producer and I hold auditions to find an actress to star in THE PARTY. We’ve had a great response to the casting call and expect to see quite a bevy of talented actors come through and give it a crack. In three weeks I will be at the helm of a project with the biggest crew I have ever had behind me – 14 people. Might not sound big, but for me that is huge! THE PARTY, no matter how it turns out, is a major step forward for me. In that respect, I am so in love with everything going on in my life right now. And that feels so good!
I will keep you updated on THE PARTY as it progresses into production.
Now I must go catch some pillow before my boy wakes, rattling the side of his cot and screaming DADADA into the wee hours while my wife apologetically elbows me in my sleeping ribs…
Thank you for reading this longer-than usual post. I appreciate it.
Comments
Thanks for writing your longer than usual post. Hope Kerry and Anthony’s flu pass quickly for you all.
It’s great to keep up with your family. Enjoy life! Luv to you all, keep up the great work and its fab to see you always smiling xxxxx Aunt Sandie
I completely agree with Auntie Sandie, we love reading all of your posts. Wish we could be there to help you and Kerry, Australia is such a big country, it’s not fair that we are all so far apart and can’t physically help out. But always know that we are thinking of you. You are both doing a brilliant job, and should be very proud of yourselves. Heaps of hugs and love from Auntie Nete and the Stoll tribe xxx
Looks like its aunts and uncles all round keeping an eye on ya! Thanks for the post, its amazing how honest we can be on a blog! I empathise and sympathise on the lack of sleep front, when your kids get bigger and need to be at state team trainings and tryouts and games and and and … I got a whole 7 hours sleep in a row last night and almost feel human. 2 1/2 hours on Friday nights and 4 or so on Sat makes for a very dozy preacher! Praise the Lord and pass the can of ‘V’. (no not VB just V) God Bless all y’all. All the best with the new project!