18 April. I cried today. At pure wonder and amazement at the beauty of the performance of the two guest ballet dancers we saw perform in Giselle this evening. What a gift. I am beyond grateful to Helen for sharing her love with the girls and I tonight. I am grateful for the example and the inspiration their graceful granny is to the girls. To all of us. But I am especially grateful she loves Jem’s converse sneakers as much as Jem does.
17 April. I am so grateful today that my town girls got a real taste of country. Ok, a very stylish Sandi and Pete Olive farm taste of country but nonetheless. We had eggs for breakfast collected by Kate and Jem, amongst much screeching and much hilarity, they road on the back of the bakkie unrestrained down the farm roads, they picked olives,they got scratched, the played with the dogs, they got dirty, very very dirty, they went to the press, they tasted the first nectar as it was pressed, they helped empty the buckets and load the crates, they sat astride the tractor. They slept.
16 April. I love quiver trees. I always have. I’ve always wanted a home with a quiver tree. I am so grateful I got to spend time today amongst the quiver trees at Sandi and Pete’s Olive farm. They make me feel quiet. They make me feel still. I loved being still in this little slice of heaven today.
I am grateful that a little cherub called Coco, thinks I am her fairy godmother. It is truly wonderful to spend time, even if only once a year with my dear friend Y and her family, especially when it feels like no time has passed. Not even for the children. I am honoured to be little Chloe’s (my real name is Coco) godmother, and am determined to find my wand before her next visit.
There is a marked difference to my visit back to South Africa this year. Now I am grateful to say that most places know what a flat white is. I no longer have to order a latte in a cup not a glass with a double shot of espresso sort of thing, or a cappuccino but without the foam or sprinkles. And today Sandi and I went to The Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock and I am grateful for the best cup of coffee I have had here to date. From a little company that only does flat whites. Perhaps this is still home after all.
Jem loves animals. I know Jem loves Jayde, her sweet little fancy rat, a lot. But I know Jem would prefer a little dog just like Badger. Jem and Kate have gained a lot in our move and our sort of limbo lifestyle currently, but have also sacrificed a lot. So today not only am I grateful for the moment I witnessed between Jem and Badger, but for the wonderful daughters we have. And for how much they teach us, every single day.
I am grateful for a room with a view. The most exquisite view. From my bed in a room with a view. I am grateful I got to wake up here this morning.
11 April. I am grateful for the sunset this evening. Not any sunset, but a sunset over the sea. I never realised how much I had missed it until now. Where we are now the sun rises over the sea. It never sets. I am also grateful for another homecoming. Being with Sandi and Pete in Kommetjie is just perfect. I never realised how much I had missed it until now.
10 April. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to enjoy a spectacular offering of The Phantom of the Opera with my family. And in particular my girls. I loved how moved they were by it, but even more so by the empathy and compassion shown by Kate at the young man begging in the street on a cold night with only a blanket for company as we left the theatre. At the unfairness of it all. At the sad jolt of reality. I only wished I could find the words to stop her tears. It is just not right.
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Today I am grateful for the unexpected pleasure of the most delicious cabernet from the year of Kate’s birth. An extended family and friends lunch at Graham and Sonja is always a gift. Not only for the always perfect fillet, the laughter and sharing, but for the belonging. And the knowledge that the world really is very small. But most especially for that never depleted cellar filled with the most exquisite wines.
grace and dignity 