The Crucifix

That Crucifix Australia Day - the one day in the year my father despises; he’d dress up this old crucifix that was stuck in the ground with pictures of his hate for the day. I guess being Aboriginal wasn’t quite as it seemed. He sure did enjoy March of ‘62 though; after that win for voting rights he’d dress that crucifix as a black man in a fancy suit. He hasn’t been the same since mother left him - he’d take down the crucifix on that day. I guess his faith just wasn’t the same when remembering her. I didn’t really understand why we celebrated New Year’s Eve with such pride. He’d spend hours painting fireworks on that crucifix and he was proud of the outcome, he’d even leave it up for days afterwards. He took it upon himself to make birthdays extremely special every year and decorated it with all our photos and memories. He had a passion for what he was doing and it’s only now that I appreciate that. Oh boy, did he enjoy doing it up for Christmas, with its own Santa suit and even presents under it in the morning. He wasn’t overly religious but he sure did believe in black Jesus. Naidoc Week was the one week he felt like he could let loose and be himself. He’d paint up that crucifix with yellow, red and black, he’d even add kangaroo fur. Kangaroo on the BBQ was a must for the whole week, and I can still remember the sense of joy on his face. Not many celebrated Australian slang, but he sure did. I remember the police got sent to our home one year because the slang was so powerful and loud. He sure did love the reactions though. Fishing and hunting, a stereotypical aboriginal thing, right? It was a hobby that he truly admired; that crucifix looked like a kangaroo after he was done. He was more religious for his own culture. He is gone now and that street we lived on looks bare. The crucifix was laid to rest alongside him; I don’t know if that’s what he wanted. But he’s still remembered, every event that he celebrated, I do now with my own family. We even have a day dedicated to him, we celebrate his life and the impact he made. It’s been 20 years since I last saw him, yet every time we celebrate an event, I feel his very presence celebrating right alongside me.