A digital portal into the sanctum of the heart, feels to me like a public unpeeling, a slice of memory unfurled and thrown into the ether....but it's for Chris, my dear, dear friend who left us far too early, so I partake and speak to you directly my very special friend because, if as some scientists are trying to suggest, the soul exists as "non-local consciousness" then you are home in the everywhere of time - with us always. I miss you deeply because friendships formed in childhood onwards are irreplaceable - a journey of time together - 2 young girls from European immigrant families living on the wrong side of the snobitarium of Melbourne - remember sherry at 4 at Melbourne University when we working class girls thumbed our innate cultured noses at the pretentiousness of the private school majority around us? We formed a bond of intellect and heart that geography and separate lives in different places, marriages, divorces and the travails of experience could never sever. I'm hurt that you didn't want to listen to the advice of those who loved you to accept the evidenced based treatments as well as the alternatives.....you left prematurely. I wrote to Harry and Ruby and sent photos of you as a 20 year old, in apology for nor being able to come to NZ - it's a long story and we shared some of the reasons when we spoke....my darling Mum has now also gone...perhaps you've seen her in heaven with you? Why not - you were (and are) both souls of unending compassion, kindness and sweetness. Be in peace.

I first met Christiana when she was 11 and I was 17. I had just met a tall dark handsome stranger, her brother Sergio, and was head over heels in love. She had a sweet face with big brown eyes that could sum you up in a glance. Over the next few years we became closer, the sister I’d never had; we both loved books, films, art and Serge. Chris was a clever, sensitive, family girl, very close to her parents and grandmother. She told me her big brother would never let me down and so far, fingers crossed, nearly fifty years later she was right. I was married in the Australian spring and mia bella sorella, my lovely sister Christiana became my beautiful bridesmaid dressed in golden yellow, a blossoming wattle flower. My children Vanessa and Mark adored their dear aunty who knew how to play with kids, loved children’s company and delighted in the joys of family life. She used to call them the ‘two ones’ after she heard our four-year-old neighbour call my kids that. Later she would have her own precious ‘two ones’ Harry and Ruby, whom she loved and cherished. Chris was a wonderful mother who gave unconditional love always. Every birthday and Christmas she would send from NZ a special gift just right for all our interests and personalities. She had a knack for understanding people and what they needed. Chris looked for the best in others and gave the best she had. Last Christmas she sent this ceramic tree which now hangs in my kitchen, a symbol of loving growth reaching out. I often look at it and think of her in NZ. From now on whenever I’m cooking for my growing family (I’m about to become a grandmother for the first time) I will think of Chris, not faraway but right with us, helping prepare the meal with love.

A treasured former flatmate, friend and business partner. We did so much together - sitting in the backyard, painting pictures on pieces of gib board using Resene pain sample pots, walking across to the Harbour Bridge and back - just a 5 hour stroll, starting 'Expresso Love' and 'Rick's Cafe Americain' together. Making the same thing every night for sale the next day - you making Chicken Liver Pate, Rick making Carrot Cake and me making Chocolate Cake. You finishing your course at Elam, your pictures hanging up through the house.

A treasured former flatmate, friend and business partner. We did so much together - sitting in the backyard, painting pictures on pieces of gib board using Resene pain sample pots, walking across to the Harbour Bridge and back - just a 5 hour stroll, starting 'Expresso Love' and 'Rick's Cafe Americain' together. Making the same thing every night for sale the next day - you making Chicken Liver Pate, Rick making Carrot Cake and me making Chocolate Cake. You finishing your course at Elam, your pictures hanging up through the house.