December 26th 2024.
Joe Giardina and his wife, Evanna, have experienced the unimaginable pain of losing their son, Paul, in the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. It has been two decades since that fateful day, but the memory of Paul still burns bright in their hearts and minds.
The family was enjoying a holiday in Phuket, Thailand when the tsunami hit, claiming the lives of over 227,000 people. Tragically, Paul was among them. He was swept away in the massive wave while Joe, who tried to save his son, miraculously survived a near-drowning.
Reflecting on the past 20 years, Joe shared with 9news.com.au that it has been a tough journey, but he takes comfort in knowing that Paul lived a life filled with love and joy during his short time on earth. As a parent, losing a child is every nightmare imaginable, and for Joe, it was even worse because he was unable to hold onto his son.
He recalls the guilt and pain he felt, thinking that he had let Paul down. But in the end, he knew that the tsunami was beyond his control. The Giardina family was having breakfast at their hotel when the powerful force of the water separated them. While Joe survived with some injuries, Paul's body was found three days later.
For a long time, Joe was haunted by the loss of his son. However, as the 20th anniversary of the tsunami approached, he realized that time had healed many of his wounds. He also acknowledged that they were not alone in their grief, as 26 Australians and 230,000 people worldwide lost their lives in the disaster.
To honor the memory of those who perished, Joe played a pivotal role in lobbying the Australian government to create a memorial in Canberra in 2015. This memorial includes Paul among thousands of others, and it serves as a permanent tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragedy.
This year, Joe visited Canberra once again to mark the 20th anniversary of the tsunami. He described it as a part of the healing process not just for himself, but for all the Australian families affected by the disaster. He also expressed his disbelief that it has been 20 years since the tragedy, as it still feels like it was just 10 or 12 years ago.
Despite the horror he experienced in Thailand, Joe has returned to the country and reclaimed his memories. He has also reflected on the word "survivor" and what it truly means. For him, it brings a sense of joy because he survived a near-death experience. He has come to terms with the challenges of life and has no anger towards the journey he has taken, as it is the reality of life.
While the years may have passed, Paul will forever be 16 in the hearts of his family. Little things, such as a song or a photo, often spark memories of Paul, and Joe cherishes these moments when the universe offers him a gentle reminder of his son. He describes Paul as a loving and joyful person, always smiling or with a cheeky grin in photos. Those 16 years with Paul were full of love, and the Giardina family feels blessed to have had him in their lives, even for a short time.
As Joe looks back on the past 20 years, he remembers the pain and struggles, but also the love and joy that Paul brought into their lives. He knows that his son will always be a part of him, and he finds comfort in the idea that Paul's memory will continue to shine brightly in their hearts.
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