What a night. Front row seats in the Princess Theatre, just Sylvie and I for Harry Potter & the Cursed Child. We could see the small pool embedded in the theatre stage. We could see the faint blacklight writing on the walls, waiting for the traumatic final scenes.

Most memorable, though, was Sylvie‘s ability to get the attention of one of the lead actors (Nyx Calder, perhaps), while he was still acting. Yep, acting solo on the stage when he gave a look at Sylvie, locked eyes, and cracked a smile.

Ha. She was chuffed, if not a little bit embarrassed. 

Oddly, New Year’s Eve always was the holiday where Sylvie and I spent the most time together. I have the greatest of memories once she became a teenager of midnight’s where it was just her and I celebrating.

The above video is from 2023/2024 NYE. A party and then I was the parent who could still kick on and drive (I don’t drink.) So off we went to the Maribyrnong River and the fireworks, bands, and rides at Footscray Park.

Later, when everyone was asleep already, we watched the Sydney bridge fireworks and NYE countdown in the basement room where I had my office. Then playing ping pong. I hung with her all night at a kids’ playground in Ascot Vale (Walter Street Reserve) when she wanted to spend NYE with her friend. I met the most interesting father that night — a memorable start to the new year in the weirdest sense.

2025 was the first New Year I didn’t spend with my kids. That’s tough. Curtis and I will see in 2026, however. I’d love to see my daughter again. A New Year’s Eve like old time with her is probably something in the past, I’m afraid.

Hold onto your kids — time travels quite fast. My dad told me that. Don’t I know it. 

It’s a gem of an experience to have a daughter who likes to try new things and isn’t afraid of the camera. Sylvie, even as a toddler, was always up for a stroll, a hike, willing to drive in the van and explore a new country town.

In her absence, these photos and videos are the only ways I have to remember her.

Tears of joy. But tears, nonetheless.

I miss you, Sylvie.

I have a lot of favourite photos of Sylvie. However, this one makes happy every time I see it.

Why? I know and miss her laughter. And in this photo, there’s that joyful mix of crack-up funniness and that endearing sheepishness that was always an endearing quality in my daughter. I spent much of Sylvie’s life capturing (and encouraging) her more theatrical side. She’s no wallflower and she has the personality to fill the airwaves with good nonsense.

That was her and I’s shtick. It’s been a year-and-a-half since I saw her. I only hope I’ll get to see a vision like the one in this photo again…