John Pospisil

Today a year ago, my eyes, for the first time in my life, were opened to the fact, that life is not eternal, and that eventually we all run out of tomorrows.It has become clear that the only thing that really matters in this life is how much love we leave behind – the amount of love we give minus the amount of love we receive.

All my old fears, frustrations, malaise, ingratitude, mislaid ambitions were cut, burnt, poisoned, and starved, not only from my brain, but I believe, also from my soul. Yes, change, is difficult, but I can never go back and be the man I was before July 31 2009, so that means the only way is forward, and to focus on what’s important, my family.

And what a wonderful year it has been, to see my beautiful daughters grow, and to see my amazing wife shine.

Rocio and I were sitting watching Grace dance at “Physie (physical culture) this morning when I glanced over and noticed one of other dads working on his notebook..He looked bored and tired, and only very occasionally glanced up to watch his daughter. He was obviously not really concentrating on his work (or whatever he was doing), and his mind was obviously not fully there in the hall.

I had an awful realisation that I was just like that guy 13 months ago. I rushing through life not appreciating my blessings, trying to do too much at the same time, not fully living in the present. It’s so easy to become a zombie, and so hard to snap out it.

I was thinking the other day how much I love being a father and how much I love my wife and daughters. I just happened to come across this picture that Grace drew of me a few months back. Everything about it shouts optimism and life – from the orange head and big smile to the flower-like hands and feet. I made a joke to myself that at least in this picture I have hair, but what is most marvellous, is that this is how daughter sees me.

My amazing and beautiful wife, Rocio, and our daughter, Hannah, on the Ferris
Wheel at Darling Harbour last weekend.

And here’s our other daughter Grace.