Legacy lights Eleanor’s day
CHRISTMAS can be tough for families who have lost a loved one, but a Legacy Christmas party has helped make it a little easier.
The party for war widows and their children was held at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens in Hobart yesterday.
Legacy provides support for families suffering after the injury or death of a spouse or parent during or after their defence force service.
Among attendees were Terese Millhouse and her seven-year-old daughter, Eleanor.
Ms Millhouse’s husband, Matthew, died two years ago from younger-onset dementia after a bomb blast in Iraq. He was 36.
“The initial Christmases are very hard,” she said.
“I’m very much trying to focus on all of the wonderful memories, even the ones we would have at Christmas time, but you’ve still got that little bit of a void that’s always going to be there.”
With presents, a treasure hunt, plenty of food, and a visit from Santa, Ms Millhouse said her daughter had a great time at the party.
“I think it really brightened Eleanor’s day and a lot of the other kids, I thought they all had a lovely time,” she said.
Ms Millhouse said the opportunity to talk to people in a similar position was beneficial.
“The reason that we are there is because we’ve lost someone, but to know that we’re all going through the same thing, it was really amazing,” she said.
“There were a lot of strong women there.”