Every so often I suspect that there will be a bonus post. Because...well... things happen that can't wait for the weekly publication. Such as: My Mom and Grandfather's birthday today and My Dad's birthday tomorrow. That's a lot of missed cake and celebratory craziness.
It's the first family birthdays that we're missing in South Africa and although the greater 'we' get teased about finding any old reason to throw a party, it is a big part of what we do and we enjoy it too.
Being six hours behind SA, the kids prepared their birthday song video before bedtime last night and it was waiting for the birthday girl when she woke up (or before, if her phone was close by her head and not on silent!!). We tried to send a WhatsApp message to the local radio station that reads them out on air - and almost always mispronounces our names - but that didn't work out as planned. How lucky are we that we can try again tomorrow - and just do a bundle birthday message?!
We listened to the BeeGees at breakfast. I suppose if I was really birthday theming it, it should've been Andrea Bocelli or Natalie Cole. But I had 4 other people's ears to consider - this was a good compromise.
I offered tea, forgot about it, re-boiled the kettle of water, forgot about it, brewed the tea, forgot about it, eventually got the cups out (by which time the children had almost forgotten their desire for tea) and then reheated it and served the tea without sugar. "Typical Bonny", Dear Husband would say.
Chatting to the family over Skype today was as bittersweet as I'd expected it to be. Some upfront at the camera, singing and talking all at once, some in the background cleaning up or trying to get their bags (and kids) together and some awkward silence as the plate of cake passed by the pc screen! I believe they're going to put some in the freezer for us...
One of the things that I've learnt about being away from family over family holidays / birthdays is that, as much as the absence is present, there is still reason to celebrate.
I celebrate my Mom - determined, compassionate, tireless, strong and wise.
I celebrate my Grandfather - soft natured, grateful, straightforward and humble.
I celebrate my Dad - generous, funny, reliable, a strategic thinker and caretaker.
How blessed am I to have these people directly in and influencing my life since birth? And how blessed are my children to share in this too?
Of course, part of me wished all day that I could travel back to SA to celebrate with you... We wish you all a wonderful week of birthday partying and a truly fantastic start to the year ahead.
It's the first family birthdays that we're missing in South Africa and although the greater 'we' get teased about finding any old reason to throw a party, it is a big part of what we do and we enjoy it too.
Being six hours behind SA, the kids prepared their birthday song video before bedtime last night and it was waiting for the birthday girl when she woke up (or before, if her phone was close by her head and not on silent!!). We tried to send a WhatsApp message to the local radio station that reads them out on air - and almost always mispronounces our names - but that didn't work out as planned. How lucky are we that we can try again tomorrow - and just do a bundle birthday message?!
We listened to the BeeGees at breakfast. I suppose if I was really birthday theming it, it should've been Andrea Bocelli or Natalie Cole. But I had 4 other people's ears to consider - this was a good compromise.
I offered tea, forgot about it, re-boiled the kettle of water, forgot about it, brewed the tea, forgot about it, eventually got the cups out (by which time the children had almost forgotten their desire for tea) and then reheated it and served the tea without sugar. "Typical Bonny", Dear Husband would say.
Chatting to the family over Skype today was as bittersweet as I'd expected it to be. Some upfront at the camera, singing and talking all at once, some in the background cleaning up or trying to get their bags (and kids) together and some awkward silence as the plate of cake passed by the pc screen! I believe they're going to put some in the freezer for us...
One of the things that I've learnt about being away from family over family holidays / birthdays is that, as much as the absence is present, there is still reason to celebrate.
I celebrate my Mom - determined, compassionate, tireless, strong and wise.
I celebrate my Grandfather - soft natured, grateful, straightforward and humble.
I celebrate my Dad - generous, funny, reliable, a strategic thinker and caretaker.
How blessed am I to have these people directly in and influencing my life since birth? And how blessed are my children to share in this too?
Of course, part of me wished all day that I could travel back to SA to celebrate with you... We wish you all a wonderful week of birthday partying and a truly fantastic start to the year ahead.
ReplyDeleteWhen the day has been particularly difficult ... and you find the post ... naturally there are tears! Thank you for sharing Ash!