Tête en bas

When you read the comment about Jo and Terry, from helpers like me, or from travelers, there’s always the same thing pointing out: their love for kangaroos. Surprisingly, that’s not what I’ll remember most. Maybe because I’m always looking to human first… what I’ve noticed he’s the amazing love between them. The complicity they are sharing. Like a giant and warm blanket. So big that it cover them, but also everything surrounding them.

It was 10 years ago. They were traveling south, from Alice Springs. It was during the night. They saw a small little thing on the side of the road. They stopped and drove back to check. It was a young joey. Alone. They wait for a little while, hoping the mother would come back. She didn’t. They decided to take him with them, rolled in a towel, to bring him to a friend of them who was caring after kangaroos. Josephine was already charmed. They left him in careful hands, in Coober Pedy, and went back on the road to Adelaide, where they had planed to spend a few days. There friend told them that he’ll be able to take care of the joey for only a few days, but that they’ll need to find an other place after that. Terry warned Jo. Don’t think about that.

They spent a few days in Adelaide, and went back north. They are both rally drivers. Both love driving and, usually, there’s always long argument when it’s time to choose who’s going to be in the driver seat. But when leaving Adelaide, Jo didn’t say anything. Just “you can drive”. A few hundred km later, they arrived in Coober Pedy. Taking the kangaroo back, to relocate him to Alice Springs. After such a long drive, they switch the drivers. Terry ended up holding they little passenger all the way to Alice. When they arrived, finding someone to take care of the joey was a no brainer. They keep him.

When Jo talk about that today, her eyes are still shining. She doesn’t understand how he survived, “beginner” as they were. With all the mistakes they did. But it was all the beginning, and they made a great job. So well that, just three months ago, when the little “Bronnie” was brought to them (a little pinky, pink with no fur), everybody told them there was no hope. She was way to young. No one ever manage to save such a young joey. When she arrived, she weighted a few tens of grams, and hold easily in Josephine’s hand. Today, a little bit more than 100 days after, Bronnie makes everybody fall in love. Yes, even I. She starts quickly to be my favorite. Easy going, she loves hugs and cuddles. And she likes taking her time when she’s fed. I spent long time on my computer, holding her with one arm, trying to write with my other hand, without disturbing her.

A few days ago, Jo and Terry celebrated there 22nd wedding birthday. They didn’t want to go to the restaurant. I offered to cook for them, but Jo declined, saying she was to difficult. We spent a quite evening, chatting and eating well. Between a lots of phone calls. Question about kangaroos. How to help a joey. What should I do with… I feel like they would not have wish something different. They were happy to share this moment with me and there children. Yes, the roos are definitely part of the family. Absolutely not a freaky way. They are not here to compensate anything. They are here because Terry and Jo love them. That’s so simple.

They do everything by themselves, receiving no government help. There’s a art gallery adjacent to the house, helping them to make some money. But they mainly survive thanks to donation. Twice a day, at 12 and 5:30PM, tourists stop to see the kangaroos being fed. Terry tell them there’s story. People take pictures, ask question, learn… and when they leave, they take with them a little bit of this unlimited love.

And there is people like me, who stays a few weeks, helping as they can, sharing magical moment and amazing simple evening.

I’m finish writing this post with only one hand. Terry asked me to hold Prue for a little while. With all those kangaroos, having two extra arms is not a luxury! And Prue is my other favorite. As much as Bronnie. Probably because I was with Terry when we rescued her. So small, so fragile, but already so lovely!