Sunday 6th August 2023
Being the second youngest of 7 kids, I've always been aware of my privilege of being protected by my older siblings. They paved the way to make my folks become parents and to trust the growing up process of their kids. They also showed me the way in life, plus it was very cool having hip teenage siblings when I was tiny. And of course, the musical influences.
I have really great memories of primary school winter holidays with my high school siblings looking after me. Mum had gone to work, possibly to escape the tribe of kids so we were left to our own devices. The winter season in our industrial town of Vereeniging, South Africa, could be brutally bleak. Huge windows and no insulation meant that it was often colder inside the house than outside in the sub zero temperatures.
The winter school holidays felt long and cruel. But my older sisters would make it easier. Tea and toast in bed where we'd all double up and I'd listen intently to the cool gossip. Sometimes a baking session would happen and the treat of fairy cakes, peppermint tarts, snowballs and the bestest ever- millionaire shortbread would turn the winter into paradise. Mum would come home to see the baking cupboards bare and grumble at the cost, but we were always careful to make sure that both she and dad would get the treats too.
Years later, when I would travel here to the UK, when the next generation was all at school, we'd have lazy weekend days of tea and toast and pj's and gossip. No rushing to go anywhere, no chores to get done but to sit and catch up with the family. I didn't realise how much those days were like gems. My late sister would be down here too and we'd climb in the sleeper couch and drink our tea.
This weekend was one of those non rush, don't go anywhere times. Those days when I fill up my recharge tank of family conversations and chilling. The dogs giving cuddles and demanding tickles, football on the telly, roast beef and Yorkshire puddings, kev's crumpets and tea, and early afternoon showers and no make up. I know it seems like I'm always busy dashing to cemeteries and churches, but days like today are equally precious.
I'm feeling grateful for the opportunities to connect with my clan and friends and it fills my 'tank' with love.
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