Television never played a large role in her life before marriage. After, it figured prominently in her car-less, cash-less domestic filled days. School, friends and horses occupied her pre-nuptial world. Soap operas talk shows and movies now filled long hours spent alone. The day after the shocking news hit the airwaves, she settled in for a random afternoon film.
'On The Beach' was released in 1959. The apocalyptic drama takes place after a nuclear holocaust. Set in Australia with an award winning cast, it tells the story of their end days. Radiation permeated every airspace on earth with the exception of the land down under. It was however drifting south, where the few remaining humans left on the planet bravely faced their reality.
'Waltzing Mathilda', the iconic Australian composition, provided the soundtrack in haunting strains from raucous to funereal throughout the heart wrenching account that could only end one way. As the poisonous air carried on trade winds drifts closer, the government gives out suicide pills. Some vow to resist ingesting them. In the end, they all do.
Softly massaging her swollen belly, the woman imagined the film's characters agonizing decisions. Not due to meet her own newborn for another three months, she now found herself wondering if she would. Her few short years on the planet up until then had been ones of peace. With legs curled under her trembling body, tears began pouring down her youthful silky cheeks and silently the end of her innocence slipped away. What kind of a world lie ahead?
A week later a collective sigh of relief swept the world. An agreement between the three countries had been reached. There would be no nuclear war. Not then.
Almost sixty years later, when hearing 'Waltzing Mathilda', the now great-grandmother feels a chill that elicits the indelibly etched image of her country facing the prospect of nuclear annihilation, for a few days in 1962. A lifelong pacifist, she hopes it serves as a cautionary tale.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
