Glenn McGrath tells of life without Jane

EACH night Glenn McGrath's two children light a candle, look up at the stars and say hello to Mummy. Holly, 6, and James, 8, are still learning to survive in a world without their extraordinary mum, English-born Jane McGrath, who lost her battle with cancer two months ago. McGrath, the world-famous cricketer, has also learnt how to plait hair, do a bit of cooking and be a general mum.
Jane was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997, cancer of the hip six years later and had a brain tumour removed in early 2006. "It's a bit rough today," McGrath said of Holly's pigtail plaits. "Holly's got a-bit-sensitive hair. After smashing my finger in India, it's a bit hampered, so that's my excuse, anyway."
But underneath, there are times when he feels like retreating and shutting himself off from the public. Speaking for the first time since Jane passed away in June, McGrath said his children, surrounded by their school friends, were easing back into normal life. "They get a bit upset when they are tired. They are pretty well up to date on what's happening," he said.
"We talk about Mummy all the time. They have chosen a star and we go say hello to Mummy each night. They have friends over and go over to their friends' place so we are trying to keep life as similar to normal."
McGrath said his cricket team-mates and Jane's friends had supported him enormously, and his mum had temporarily moved from Wagga Wagga to help out with his children.
But, personally, McGrath said he would take his time to adjust to life without his wife. "The kids are going well and they are my main priority," he said.
After Jane's funeral, McGrath took Holly and James to his farm in Narromine in northern New South Wales for the first time. He taught his children how to ride a horse and took them on motorbikes. "They loved it out there. It was good just to get away from things.
You're 160km away from anywhere, so it was good to have space and come to terms with everything. I find it relaxing out there, I get to recharge the batteries. I'm slowly getting back into things, I'll just take it as it comes and see how we go."
McGrath yesterday went to his local shopping centre at Miranda in Sydney to sign copies of his new book, Line and Strength. Members of the public shared their stories of loss with McGrath, who wished them strength. "Jane was in the country for 12 years, but the effect she has had on people has been amazing. I'm very proud of that," McGrath said.