Julia Lindur

I watched the movie on SBS tonight and it was heartbreaking for many reasons. The first is that it brought back memories of my childhood (born 1944). I was headstrong and independent. I was a "tomboy" because I hated the thought of a female not being able to do things which were regarded as unladylike or that was considered a male only activity , e.g. climb the tallest tree, jump off the end of the local jetty into water filled with stingrays, play football, ride a horse bareback. I wanted to be a veterinarian because of my love for animals but it was not considered a ladylike occupation and I was also gifted at painting but that, too, was not considered a ladylike occupation. I wanted to learn another language but it was unheard of in Australian schools until 1960. My mother had ambitions for me a a dressmaker or a secretary to the male manager of a bank or insurance company, and follow in my sister's footsteps. I spent my life in inner turmoil as I succumbed to the marriage, have babies, cook and housekeep scenario. I was a rebel and wanted to be a hippie or a writer. I was divorced at any early lage when my children were only babies and my husband preferred my best girlfriend. After that it was partying, dancing, drinking, sex and anything to take my mind off my disappointments in life. Now I am about to edit and offer to a publisher my first book "Ants in Red Pants" at the age of 76 years. I also fell in love for the first time 2 years ago so might also write a book about how life can be so featureless if we do not have the courage to follow our dreams with the exception of that inexplicable feeling called lbeing in love which just creeps into our soul and sometimes breaks our heart.