WORDS and PHOTO Lee Beasley

New doors open when you make a habit of saying 'yes'.

Every Wednesday morning, I hand over the keys to my eldest daughter Erin so she can practise her driving on the way from Werribee to Werribee South. The regular trip is a chance for us to bond, and at the same time do something worthwhile for someone else.

For the last three-and-a-half months, we've been paying weekly visits to Rosemary and her triplets. The triplets—Halle, Kelly and Jaden—were born eight weeks premature, not long after Rosemary and her husband Brett moved to Werribee South.

When Erin and I first met them, Jaden, Kelly and Halle were six weeks old and compared to my four 8lb-plus babies, the triplets seemed like dolls, so small they wore clothes meant for teddies. I must admit, there is something awesome about newborns, and the tinier they are, the harder it is to imagine they won't break in your arms.

I have a habit of jumping in feet first when someone asks for volunteers, and then wonder afterwards why I said 'yes'. The intention is always good but then I work out later that I may have enthusiastically overcommitted.

So, as usual, when our parish pastoral worker Karen Michelon asked Erin and me to join a band of women to help Rosemary I said 'yes'. I don't like to say 'no' to Karen because I know for over twenty years she has worked hard for our parish of St Andrews, caring for others.

'Babies don't wait!' Karen said to me after spending her entire weekend phoning everyone she knew who might help. By the Monday, there was a roster of 36 Werribee women who were ready to lend a hand.

'It's a miracle', said Rosemary's mother, Grace, visiting from Nigeria, in reply to the overwhelming response.

I like to think it's the natural neighbourly reaction of the people of Werribee, a suburb of Melbourne with a caring, country town attitude.

There's an element of anticipation each Wednesday, as we journey along the market gardens to Rosemary's—usually with fresh groceries since Werribee South doesn't have a large supermarket. The growth and changes in the triplets as well as the struggles and well-being of Rosemary are a constant dynamic. This is not an easy task for anyone, but Rosemary is a woman of great strength, strong persistence and a marvellous, loud sense of humour.

In the beginning weeks Rosemary, Grace, Erin and I gathered at the kitchen table passing around babies and bottles while sharing experiences, culture and stories. These were enriching moments for us all. Hearing about Nigeria, telling them about growing up in the US, sharing our hopes and dreams for our children and, of course, enjoying the babies.

Even between Rosemary and Erin a special bond has formed. Rosemary is a registered nurse, Erin wants to study nursing next year. Both of them are the eldest child but I think Erin is grateful she only has three siblings compared to Rosemary's eight.

I sit there sometimes and marvel at what it must be like to be a first-time mum with triplets, let alone open your door to so many strangers. I know for myself, not having family in Australia is really hard in some ways but has been a gift in others. I don't think I'd have as many friends if I hadn't been forced to reach out to outsiders when my kids were small. It's nice to give that back to someone else.

At the end of the morning when our shift is complete, I always come away feeling privileged to be a participant in such an extraordinary experience and a little nostalgic that Kelly, Halle and Jaden are growing too fast from week to week. But for once there are no volunteer regrets—I am so grateful I said 'yes'.

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