Oasis Magazine - Cairns & Tropical North Queensland Issue 28 - Feb | Mar 2019 | Page 3

From the Publisher 2019 is gonna be a cracker, just like this issue, where we are embracing our fave day of the year, March 8th, AKA Interna-tional Women’s Day. And with that in mind, I need to give a shout out to perfect strangers. For the past 40-ish years, I’ve been leaving my Christmas shopping until Christmas Eve. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the same stubborn streak that got me into trouble at boarding school, or perhaps I secretly love the adrenaline that the last-minute rush always invokes. That is a question for another blog ... or perhaps a psychologist’s couch. Christmas Eve 2018 was no different. I awoke in a flurry knowing I had soooo much to do in a remarkably short period of time. As I crossed the shopping centre carpark, I stepped in a dodgy pothole, my ankle rolled and I hit the deck. Hard. My phone flew out of my hands. My specs launched off my face. I was down and I could tell I was hurt. Instantly, a man and woman appeared. Now, I know I hit the floor hard, but I think I recall seeing wings peeking over their shoulders. The female told me their names were Jacque and Robert and that they were both nurses at the Cairns Hospital, as she calmly twisted my limbs back into positions that made more anatomical sense. They helped me stand up, removed me out of the way of oncoming traffic and walked me into the shopping centre. I was really impressed with their kindness. Little did I know, it had only just begun. Inside the centre, I felt sore and stiff - but I still had so much to do. I thanked the couple for their kindness, and said I was on my way. My nurse angels were having none of it. Jacque found me a seat at a cafe, as Robert ordered me a coffee and glass of water. Jacque took off up the escalator and returned with a bag full of medical supplies from the chemist. By this time, shock had set in, which saw me seesawing between laughter, shakes and tears for the next hour or so. In that time, we chatted about all sorts of things, as Jacque intermittently tended to the bleed-ing wounds on my knees, shin, and hands. At the end of our M*A*S*H inspired make-shift hospital/ coffee date, I reached for cash to repay the couple the money they had expended on me. It was categorically refused. “Pay it forward”, they both chorused. Say whaaaaaaaaaaat?? This selfless couple spent an hour of their time on Christmas Eve, as well as the cost of coffee and medical supplies, tending to me - a complete stranger. And they expected nothing in return for their actions. This was truly humanity in action. This realisation made my heart jump out of my chest, and also made more tears escape from my eyes. Imagine a world where random acts of kindness was normal. Where we embraced strangers, and ensured they were okay. I’m putting my hand up. Who’s joining me? I wanna live in that place! To thank Jacque and Robert profusely for their kindness, and to pay their generosity forward, Oasis Magazine will be showcas- ing amazing acts of kindness this year. Keep an eye on our Facebook or email us at [email protected] and share your feelgood stories. And kindness - go forth and sprinkle some of that shizzzzle all around the place! Jules xx JULES STEER Publisher | Oasis Magazine E: [email protected] P: 0423 959 648 FRONT COVER: GRACE WEARS ITALIAN LINEN TOP AND PANT | $139 EACH; ITALIAN SANDAL | $79; NECKLACE | $49.95; HAT | $24; VINTAGE STYLE UMBRELLA | $29.95. KATE WEARS ITALIAN STYLE LAYERED TOP | $139; ITALIAN SILK LAYER PANT | $149; DIAMANTE ANKLE STRAP SANDALS | $39.95; FAUX PEARLS | $29. ALL AVAILABLE FROM JUST GORGEOUS BOUTIQUE KURANDA. HMUA: EMMA GELLING | PHOTOGRAPHY: PRETTY IN PICTURES Cath Gersback Epinder Singh Cath Slatyer Maddy Smith 4031 4112 FRIDAYS ONLY idareyou.com.au Shop 21 Oceana Walk 55 Lake Street, Cairns