BREAKING: Award-winning author Nova Weetman is grappling with the sudden loss of her father, who passed away unexpectedly while she was in Japan. This devastating news has not only left her family in shock but has also sparked a deep reflection on love, loss, and the memories that linger in everyday items.
Just days ago, Weetman was enjoying a trip with her children, visiting a Buddhist temple dusted with snow, when she received a life-altering phone call from a police officer at St Kilda. Despite the joyful atmosphere, the urgency of the call turned her world upside down. The officer’s message was clear yet heartbreaking: her father had died.
As Weetman recounted, she felt herself sinking in disbelief, supported only by her 16-year-old son as she processed the devastating news. “Boppa’s dead,” she whispered to her children, using the affectionate name her daughter had given him. The family huddled together on a park bench, overwhelmed by grief and uncertainty.
Upon returning to Melbourne, the reality of her father’s absence set in. Weetman confronted the task of clearing out his home, a mission filled with emotional weight and poignant memories. She faced the familiar fridge that had served her family for years, filled with remnants of her father’s life. Among the forgotten items was a half block of cheddar cheese, kept sealed with one of her father’s trademark purple elastic bands.
In her reflection, Weetman noted that this cheese has become a symbol of her father’s enduring presence. “If it exists, then so, somehow, does my dad,” she expressed, clinging to the memory of him even as she prepares to say goodbye.
The family is now navigating uncharted waters, having lost their last remaining parent. Weetman has organized three funerals in just 12 years, yet this loss feels uniquely different as it occurred while she was miles away, disconnected from family support.
As the community rallies around the grieving family, flowers arrive, meals are delivered, and calls flood in, the emotional toll continues to weigh heavily on Weetman and her brother. They are left to wonder how they will move forward without their father’s guidance.
Weetman’s story resonates deeply, highlighting the fragility of life and the unexpected moments that can redefine our understanding of love and loss. As she navigates this painful journey, she encourages others to cherish their loved ones and the simple moments that connect us all.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as Weetman continues to share her experiences and reflections on grief and remembrance.
