Flotsammers Memorial - A Celebration of some amazing people!

In 2021 we placed a memorial pole at the back of my island home, Basile Island, located in the Southern Group of the Abrolhos Islands...that’s all we had time for...

This year we were able to place little memorial plates on the totem pole. I had my jewellers make up a couple for me. One for Gemma Allen and one for Meagan Plummer.

Both of these lovely ladies provided me much support for the arts projects we do. It was their support and belief that assisted in the continuing of the Flotsam & Jetsam program.

We tried to make the memorial plates representative of their own unique artwork style.

Picture below is the name plate for Gemma Allen, based on her work of art called "LITTLE BLUE BIRD".

For Meagan Plummer we based the plate on one of her entries in the Latitude Jewellers Flotsam & Jetsam 2013 event, titled "FLIPPER ETCHED MEMORIES". It was inspired by an old divers flipper we found washed up on Pelsaert Island.  She etched out a beautiful sketch of Geraldton on it and we had Karl Monaghan Photography photograph it for the Flotsam & Jetsam book. 

Here is the memorial plate we made, pictured beside it -

It was also on this day we heard the news that Shane Warne was no longer on this earth - we couldn't believe it!  There was just enough time to make a cricket bat - in memory of him. The bat was made out of some Flotsam & Jetsam we had collected that day - thanks to Todd West for creating it.

At the memorial service we played some music 🎶 lit some candles and let some frangipani flowers drift out to sea… then we read out a poem sourced from Suzanne Ottersen. Those in attendance were able to think of their own loved ones as the sun set.

The poem reads -

"Barely the day started and

it's already six in the evening. 

Barely arrived on Monday

and it's already Friday.

.. and the month is already over.

.. and the year is almost over.

.. and already 40, 50 or 60 years

of our lives have passed.

.. and we realize that we lost

our parents, friends.

.. and we realize it's too late

to go back.

So.. Let's try, despite

everything, to enjoy

the remaining time.

Let's keep looking for

activities that we like.

Let's put some colour in

our grey.

Let's smile at the little

things in life that put

balm in our hearts.

And despite everything,

we must continue to enjoy

with serenity this time we

have left.

Let's try to eliminate the

afters..

I'm doing it after.

I'll say after.

I'll think about it after.

We leave everything for

later like ′′ after ′′ is ours.

Because what we don't

understand is that:

Afterwards, the coffee

gets cold.

afterwards, priorities change.

Afterwards, the charm is

broken.

Afterwards, health passes.

Afterwards, the kids grow up.

Afterwards parents get old.

Afterwards, promises are

forgotten.

Afterwards, the day becomes

the night.

Afterwards, life ends.

And then it's often too late.

So.. Let's leave nothing for

later.

Because still waiting to see

later, we can lose the

best moments, the best

experiences, best friends,

the best family.

The day is today. The

moment is now.

We are no longer at the

age where we can afford

to postpone what needs

to be done right away.

It Looks Like An Eternity,

But It's A Short Trip,

Enjoy Life And Always

Be Kind."~

I wasn't sure of the Author of this poem - but I think it was just so fitting for that moment.

Regards

Pia Boschetti

The_girl_who_grows_the_pearl