Dear Cam and Scott
There was this ancient prophecy about the world ending on
21 December 2012 (Google it). Just another thing to make people look feeble and
freaked out for nothing and just another thing to remind us that God is the Big
Truth. So it’s been another month of life, rich as pudding.
Cam, you and Granny spent two days exploring your new
classroom at HCS. You got your bearings, and a new school bag from Father
Christmas which you’ve already packed. The Grade 00 playground has been
modified especially for you (*WOW*) and all the jungle gyms have been painted
super bright. Teacher Karin even laminated your name (stuck on your bunk bed)
so you can get used to what it will look like on your locker and the birthday
chart and other such classroomy things. I strongly suspect that Teacher Karin
is actually not a real person (i.e. angel).
Then you got chicken pox, Cam. (I think you had it, too,
Scott, just sans the spots.) We had
to cancel a week of back-to-back play dates and fun and we lived like lepers.
We made it to Sleeping Beauty at the
theatre, though we left at interval because Scott was terrified of the evil
fairy and Cam’s eyes were tired of trying. So, a sad heavy week but
the down time was good. And I did need a refresher in
My-Plans-Are-Not-Always-God’s-Plans 101.
I’ve loved just chilling at home with you both and
hanging out with your cousins and aunts and having dinners at friends and walking
the streets looking at lights and having real conversations with you, Scott,
and solving the world’s problems with you, Cam. We’re doing a blitz on table
manners and gustatory values in general. Something’s getting through because yesterday
Cam said, ‘I’m going to make a sign for Scott that says, “Remember Scott you
must eat all food not just carbohydrates!”’ We've had hot days and thunderstorms and a steady stream of feet
through the house for dinners and mince pies and catch-ups and the carpet
sorely needs vacuuming. Dad and I celebrated our 8th anniversary at Alfi’s
and we made plans on the paper placemats and we could have been in Rome. Oh my
boys, be like your Dad. You’ll change
your generation, and probably the world.
We flew to George last week while Dad and Lola held the (quiet) fort and Dad continued to solve the ocular holiday crises of the city,
working even longer and later than normal. Cam, you were very anxious about the
flight and all the unknowns but the reality was thrilling and you loved it.
Scott screamed going up and screamed going down. Both times. The iPad saved my sanity, though still it’s quite tricky going to the ladies’ room with three bags
and two children and making sure that none of them is stolen. We spent three beautiful
days at Nature’s Valley. We were in the water more than we were out and the
sand and sun and salty mountain smells made me feel like I can do life for
another year, for sure.
Scott, you loved the water a little too much. You’d
wander in, deeper and deeper and deeper, Ophelia-style… You didn’t seem
perturbed by the near drownings. You are transfixed by every living creature,
breathless and wide-eyed and incessantly asking for ‘Animals! Animals!’ You ask
me longingly every day, ‘Granny? Grampa? Beach?’
Cam, you were so vibrant – collecting shells and insects
and skills like fishing and paddle skiing. After catching your first fish – off
the beach with a real rod like Grampa – you were proud and wistful: ‘Pirates
eat fish…’ ‘So do we,’ I replied. You corrected me. ‘No Mom. We eat fish
fingers.’ You also kept saying, ‘Mom! I’ll remember today forever! I’ll
remember this wonderful day forever! This has been my favourite day!’
Christmas was tremendous. The Reyburn and Ferreira clans
gathered at our place for pudding and general hilarity on Christmas Eve; then
it was early morning unwrappings and croissants and church and lovely lunch with
the de Kocks and van Reenens and then the sweet-sad-quiet aftermath.
I’m glad the world didn’t end in this season of worship and
hope and peace. Our times are in his hands.
All my love and gratitude for another year of so much joy,
Mom
xx
Cam, wearing as many Christmas presents as possible...
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