The first chick leaves its mother's nest.....

When I started this blog in 2010, I had my hands full with three very active (socially and physically) teenage sons.  So much has changed in the past four years.  They have grown up to be strong young men - still socially active, not so much physically.

In the back of my mind I always knew that someday they would leave home to start their own adventures, much the same as I did.  But it was easier to keep those thoughts in the back of my mind....  easier to live each day as it came and in the evening when I sit down at the dinner table, to stretch out my hand to Den on my right and Dennis on my left and see them join the circle with Dylan and Divan.  One complete family.

But the time has come for Den to leave home.  He has accepted a position as Social Administrative Manager at a game reserve in Kwa Zulu Natal.  I am extremely proud of him and know that he will do very well.  He will eventually be doing what he loves.  This is his time - the start of a brand new career which holds so much promise.

I remember when I left home.  My Alpha was packed to the brim with all my paraphernalia, a little bit sad because I was leaving my parents, but excited about my future.  I remember wondering what my parents thought and felt - I know now. I know that they felt a bit of fear for what the future holds, sadness at seeing a child leave home, hope that their child's dreams will be fulfilled and joy at knowing that they had done what was expected of them.  They had raised a child successfully!!  This is how it was meant to be.

I'll miss you, my boy.  Everyday.  But I'll see you often and we'll Whatsapp regularly.  I'll catch up with you on Instagram (just show me how to follow you), and I'll see your posts on Facebook.  I'll try to learn how to Skype too.....  You may not be in my home anymore, but you are forever in my heart.

And remember what I always tell you, I'm your safety net.

It's a language thing

My language is English.  Whilst growing up, my parents spoke Afrikaans, but my siblings and I spoke English.  I think it was because we grew up in Rhodesia and the language was 90 % English.  I love English.....  The nuances of the language amaze me.  Now married with children of my own, our home language is Afrikaans.  Now and then the boys will converse with me in English, but not often.  I find that it's only in English that I can really express myself - put it all out there....... and no-one realises this more than my family.

My husband went to the Dentist who diagnosed an abscess in one of his teeth.  She gave him a course of antibiotics (7 days worth).  I felt so sorry for him, and kept inquiring about his well being.....  9 days later, he was still complaining about this tooth.  I found this very odd and asked him if he had taken the antibiotics as prescribed......
"Well, maybe not as prescribed....."
"What do you mean "not as prescribed....."
"Well, maybe I didn't take them everyday."
"Dennis, you have to take antibiotics 3 times a day until the course is finished otherwise they don't work, you know this...."  my agitation growing "How may tablets do you have left?"
"About 3 days worth?"
Before I could help myself I called out "Seuna!!!!!"  which I usually reserve for use on my sons when they step out of line....
"You can't call me that?"  he said indignantly.
"I can if you are acting like one of my children!"
And the matter, according to me, was closed.

Dennis had to collect Divan from a friend later that afternoon and on the way home he told Divan that I was very angry with him.  Divan heard about the tablets and the story ended with the use of Seuna!.
He waited a while, then asked his Dad....
"Did she switch over into English?"
"No," Dennis replied.
"Ag no, then it's not so bad......."