On the eve of 2007

We spent the last part of 2006 with my parents, visiting from Bethlehem. The kids went out to say goodbye to the old year with friends at Clifton. SO we could stay home and remissence about the good old days. This time of year is full of memories, but also promises of a new year. This time it was great to be able towork on the memory part.

Three sisters at MeerenBosch

My daughter (actually daughter in law) is on the left on this photo with her two younger sisters at the family holiday house on the Botriver lagoon.

Bloemfontein

Picture taken of oupa Izak and ouma Andre on the stoep of their house in Bloemfontein during our visit. They are so much better than the beginning of the year. The confidence of oupa to actually started walking again after the fracture in his one leg was great.

Bloemfontein

Right now I am sitting on the stoep at my parents-in-law's place in Bloemfontein. We are three generations sitting next to each other. My father-in-law (close to his eighties and suffering from emphasema), my son (in his twenties) reading the bible and me (close to fifty) writing this blog entry on my laptop, connected via Vodacom's 3G card. Life's time perspective is so clear to me right now. I can see the difference in where each one of us is at the moment. What is important and what we are busy with, yet we are connected in a special way. We understand each other (with limited insight), but with the perspective of time. We are all different (because of where we are on our journey in time), but all the same because of our connection through family.

Stef Bos in Concert

Today we attended the Stef Bos concert at the Paul Cluver Amphitheatre. The Amphitheatre is situated in a forest (called Bos in Afrikaans), so it was quite amazing. Stef Bos is a Dutch singer that have been coming to South Africa for the past fifteen years. His music has been influenced tremendously by Africa. As an African this concert was such a special experience for me. Amongst others, quite by chance one of his songs talking about Africa and the birds and the animals were accompanied by wild birds in the forest joining in in perfect harmony. He (Stef) also spoke about the things that he picked up in Afrikaans (my language). For instance, he spoke about a term that we use ('mens-word') literally translated meaning 'to become human'. In Afrikaans this means when you get to grip with who you are and make peace with the fact. I never realised how important this meaning was for me. Stef also sang a song called 'Maputo' about the capital city of Mozambique, partly in Dutch, partly Afrikaans, but also interspersed with Portuguese - 'an ancient language for a young continent'. Having been to Maputo a few times and also knowing what a special city this is, I really enjoyed this song tremendously

Liza and Nina

We had a brief visit to the Adlems today. I took this photograph of our god-grandchild with her mother.

Stomp at Artscape

We attended Stomp at Artscape with our friends the Heines. This photo was taken prior to the show in the foyer of the Artscape Theatre. Annelie and Realle is flanked by their two daughters.

Our Friends Maritha and JP

We had a fantastic Braai at JP's house on Tuesday. The food and wine was good, but what we really enjoyed was the discussion. We talk specifically about religion. I believe that all of us received a lot of blessing through the interaction.

Thabiso

Thabiso is the MD of telecoms company Hipster. We met in Midrand to discuss some exciting joint ventures.

Altyd Jonker

Me and Annelie attended a stunning theartre show in the Oude Libertas Amphiteathre today. The show called: "Altyd Jonker" is a stunning dramaterisation (with music and dance) of controversial South African poet: Ingrid Jonker.

Gretel's birthday

We attended Gretel's birthday party today. We celebrated with friends. Amongst others some stunning wines were opened too.