Early morning tomorrow, as tennis tour plans to leave at 5am. Wish the boys lots of luck for their time in Bloemfontein. I went with them last year, and we had a lot of fun.

8 months later. I've become accustomed to not having him around. Life has continued, (after all he has 2 brothers) and we had a guest student for 6 months.. But life did not revolve around him, his brothers occupy large amounts of time. Especially as  regards tennis, and number 2 son.

One full day before my first-born leaves the nest he has called home for so long. I have mixed emotions, yesterday all teary eyed, today just fine. He, on the other hand, is excited practically beyond belief. I am, on the one hand. so happy for him, but on the other, heart sore

Unfortunately, this country has little, or nothing , to offer a young  white male, so I know this is the best for him.
I console myself with the thought that I am about to book a flight to visit him for his birthday in March

May the wind always be beneath his wings.

Fly, my son, fly.

What a wonderful weekend! It started out by me doing some serious compromising with regard to loud music on Friday pm, as son 1, who will shortly be departing for pastures new, had a few friends over for a pool party. I love it when the kids are at home, with their friends, but my ears took a major bashing. Later in the evening I was mopping up the dining room, which opens directly onto the pool, after aforementioned son decided to splash his dad, who was standing right there. Less than impressed, as the flood reached about 7 feet into the house, soaking floor and furniture.

House guests arrived Saturday, and the 13 -year-old immediately hit it off with mine, leaving his mother to chill on the last day of her SA trip. What I have learned : sometimes the people we think we know, we don't really know at all, and the people whom we meet for the first time can be comfortable like a pair of old slippers.

January 3rd, 2013.

I'm here again, having seen I had the massive 2 views of my first blog. I'm doing this for me, for years I have been writing things down on exam pads which get lost, or word documents on laptops which become defunct. This one's for me. At some point I may search down the not-so-defunct laptops, and share some older news, which was only noted for it's hilarity, comedy, Erma Bombeck type of humour.
The day of son 1's departure draws nearer, and farewell parties have been planned.  Feeling pretty good about it today. Strong.

3rd New Year back in SA

After having said I'd never come back to live in South Africa, I find myself having just completed the 3rd New Year's day right here, and what a great day it was. One that may be remembered, not because anything particularly eventful happened, but because of one of those great family meals, everybody reminiscing about childhood habits and  favourite toys. It prompted the retrieval of a now ancient "Hippo", who once was blue, but is now just pale, and stitched more often than Frankenstein's monster. I will remember last night's dinner and treasure it, as it will be one of the last where we will all be together as a family, as son 1 will be flying the nest in a few weeks, to a different continent. This is what prompted me to write it down, because, with all good intentions, life intervenes and we do forget, that is what photographs are for. We didn't take any photos last night though, it wasn't a "special"occasion, it was just a meal.  Just a family dinner. Am I a little melancholy?   Perhaps. (Wipes a tear from the corner of her eye.)