Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Our beautiful Blair

I am unsure about writing this blog but the news has been so public about the loss of my beautiful son Blair, and the interest so intense, that I wanted to share the facts. Also, we do have something to celebrate with the upcoming screening of the seven part TV series Lyndey & Blair’s Taste of Greece which I was lucky enough to shoot with him last year. It starts on Thursday May 26 at 8pm on SBS nationally. Click here to follow on Facebook.

Blair died suddenly from Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in the early hours of Sunday 17 April. He was taken ill on the previous Thursday and rushed to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. I was overseas with my partner John and flew back immediately. By the time I arrived on the Saturday morning he was medically sedated on a ventilator in intensive care. Blair’s father, Nigel, had been with him from the Thursday and was magnificent, as was the hospital. We spent a precious 17½ hours at his bedside. There were 30 people in the waiting room, another 30 outside and even more old school friends at the pub! Blair would be pleased.

He was the most positive person I had ever met, and it was a joy and a privilege to have been his mother.

Blair’s friends and family flew in from around the globe. A bunch of his Charles Sturt University friends set up in our offices at the Sydney Studio Kitchen and spent a fortnight producing audio visual tributes. Ultimately Blair was farewelled in a heartfelt service in the chapel of his old school, Barker College on Saturday 30 April with an audience of 800 packed inside and also standing outside in the pouring rain. Several of us near and dear spoke at the service and Blair’s sister Lucy who flew in from London, and a close friend sang beautifully. A celebration followed at Sydney Theatre which culminated in theatre-style tributes by many of his friends. They sang, read poetry and spoke of their love for Blair. The finale was this appropriately upbeat, for Blair was a party man, video compilation put together by his friends from Charles Sturt University.


Tribute from Lyndey Milan on Vimeo.

14 comments:

  1. What a beautiful and touching tribute to Blair Lyndey sending you hugs
    melli x

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  2. Lyndey, what a beautiful and inspirational tribute for your 'Blair. May those happy memories be with you forever. Hugs, Carol R xoxox

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  3. A beautiful tribute Lyndey, may your memories of Blair keep your heart strong during this time. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time, love Wendy ( friend of Julie and Andrew Ballard)

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  4. Lyndey, Lexie and I just watched this unbelievable tribute to Blair with tears in our eyes, Blair was an amazing man and what a life! He really lived it to the fullest and did more in his 29 years than most do in their whole lives. His memory will live on through you all and this fabulous tribute. We are thinking of you, Lucy, John and your whole family and send you our love. Xxx Kylie, Roger, Lexie and Jorja Clift

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  5. So sorry to have heard this sad news Lyndey - awful to lose a child. I always remember how proudly and beautifully you spoke of him.

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  6. Lyndey,
    my heart aches for you every time I think of your beautiful Blair and how you must feel. What wonderful memories you have of a life well lived.
    love Fran x

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  7. Beautiful and profoundly sad. You are an inspiration as a mother to have guided this young man into living the wonderful life he had.Take comfort from knowing our loving thoughts are with you.This tribute has reinforced to me that I must continue to instil in my daughter an immense love of life.

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  8. Lyndey and Family, thinking of you all at this time. Blair really was a beautiful soul, you all must be so proud of him and all that he achieved in his young life.

    Regards Tracey Lurati

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  9. What a wonderful tribute to Blair Milan who left us all a legacy of live life to the fullest and be humble in life and love and respect your family, friends and all fellow humans.

    Enzo

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  10. Lyndey, what a beautiful person Blair was. I remember you talking so proudly of him when I first meet you. The wonderful tribute shows his fun filled attitude and portrays the wonderful person he must have been. I send you and your family my love and look forward to watching your Greek adventure. xx

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  11. Lyndey,i feel you loss as i too lost a beautiful sister. Keep strong and remember the amazing times with a smile and how blessed you are having Blair in your life. We learn so much from our children. It is hard to lose a child you will need time and space to heal.There is no magic words to say. What a beautiful photo/video image of Blair.

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  12. Thinking of you this Mother's Day, Lyndey. I've written to you privately but have just watched the video. What a lovely tribute to Blair. All my thoughts are with you. With love and hugs, Christine.

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  13. So beautiful and so heartbreaking at the same time! As a Mother of 3 children, I can only just imagine the journey you are going through.
    He had a wonderful life. x Philippa

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  14. What a beautiful spirit. Blair lived more in his short years than most of us live in 80 plus years. From this tribute and all the reports I have read to date, the love for this man in the hearts of many will ensure his memory will live for many generations to come. While wonderful in thought, am sure it’s only a small comfort to his family and beloved friends who are in no doubt, still in shock at his passing. Am sure his soul and spirit is flying high and free in a better place than this. RIP Blair. Sincere condolences to his loved ones for this great loss.

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