2015
As I write this, time is already rushing through the month carrying us speedily towards another Christmas. So often we have been reminded that there are only so many days to shop before the next festive season is upon us.
When I look back to our Christmas last year, it is
not the festivities that touched me as much as the little acts of precious
kindness which preceded our gathering together on THE DAY.
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| I have some tests |
She spent some time with
me, trying this and that and the other and finally suggested I went to see an
eye specialist. When I asked her how much I owed her for her time she replied:
“Nothing. Had I been able to help you there would have been a fee but there is
nothing I can do. Come back and tell me what the eye specialist advises.”
Having accomplished that visit I then went to have
tea at a little Chinese shop round the corner, charmingly decorated with
lanterns and bright colours. The owner came to the door and glowered at me as
the little tables and chairs had not been set out yet.
Having accomplished that visit I then went to have
tea at a little Chinese shop round the corner, charmingly decorated with
lanterns and bright colours. The owner came to the door and glowered at me as
the little tables and chairs had not been set out yet.
“I only wanted a cup of tea,” I told him, whereupon
he set up a table and chair and tea was served. I noticed him sitting nearby
with his head bent over, considering his day’s reckonings I expect. I went over
to him, thanked him for tea and asked him how much it was. He waved his hand
above his head and said: “Alright… it’s alright.”
I said: “Thank you – and happy Christmas.” He just
nodded his head without looking up.
On Christmas Eve we went to son Paul’s home in St
Stithian’s School, set amongst many acres of fields, bushes and tree-lined
roads with beautiful views overlooking Johannesburg.
Some neighbours of Peta and Paul’s two houses up had invited anyone who wanted to join them in the road for a glass of wine. There were chairs set out on the side of the road and opposite us on the grass verge in front of the house was an interesting display of angels, Mary and Joseph and the new born babe, cows, rabbits, stars and from a tree hung a sort of waterfall of lights.
Some neighbours of Peta and Paul’s two houses up had invited anyone who wanted to join them in the road for a glass of wine. There were chairs set out on the side of the road and opposite us on the grass verge in front of the house was an interesting display of angels, Mary and Joseph and the new born babe, cows, rabbits, stars and from a tree hung a sort of waterfall of lights.
There was too a gnome, which I believe stays there
all year round. At Easter time I believe the Christmas display is replaced with
rabbits!
We were offered mince pies and a drink and as it was
very hot our host rushed up to the shops nearby and bought us all an ice lolly.
Above us, shining down on this great city and ourselves
was the most magnificent moon. It seemed to me to be a Super Moon. When my
grand-daughter Emma looked it up on her constant stand by “Google” she told me
that the last moon on Christmas Eve was in 1977. I was deeply touched. We were
warmly entertained by strangers under resplendent moonlight.Grandson Philip came with me to a carol concert at St Michael’s Church. The majestic flower arrangements, the beauty of the words of the hymns and the atmosphere of wonder, joy and hope lifted our hearts in worship of Christ our lord.
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| Philip & I singing at the carol concert |
Standing next to me grandson Philip sang and
delighted those around us with the beauty of his voice. These are the touches of Christmas that delighted
and filled me with warmth.
With the excitement of Christmas day upon us, we all seemed to go off in different directions. Some to church, others to start cooking, others to put the last wrappings on presents which were arranged under the beautiful decorated Christmas tree where we all eventually gathered.
Having mentioned that I really like marshmallows I was
given a huge amount of marshmallows, some in a large glass container, others in
twists and another large ring of marshmallows arranged on a stick like a large
marshmallow sucker (aka lollipop). It had taken me some months to eat them all and now I have gone off them entirely. Moral – never mention anything you like before Christmas!
Guests arrived for lunch in the late morning, and
tables were set on the long, spacious front verandah to seat about twenty
guests.
We all sat down after grace was said. The first
course was served -Parma ham and melon. We all set to with enthusiasm, when one
of the guests shouted out angrily: “Don’t talk to me from the bathroom window!”
A small
voice replied: “I am locked in.”
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| "I am locked in!" |
Next to the verandah in an alcove is a window for the bathroom.
Squirrel’s Dad finally went through to the bathroom
door to give assistance, but was told that his help was not needed. I suppose
he was considered too old to be of service although he had years of experience
as a motor mechanic.
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| by JR |
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| "we were well into the second course..." |
Time
Time ...Time moved on and we were well into the second course of vegetables, lamb, chicken etc before David and his friend finally broke the door down and a shaken and embarrassed Squirrel sat down as unobtrusively as he could to eat his disturbed lunch.
In the evening the older guests all drifted off to bed while the young ones carried on with their party. When they all finally went to bed much, much later, they could not find Squirrel. Having searched everywhere for him they left the back door open for him.
The next morning he appeared looking quite fresh and perky. “Where were you Squirrel?” everyone asked.
He had slept under the fir trees far away from
locks and keys and bathrooms – and where else would a squirrel sleep?
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