Mummy Dearest #100convos #15

I've admittedly been in a creative slump and neglected this project, a few darling family members, as you might have noticed, have helped me get into the swing of things again.

 

I wanted to tear up when my mom seemed surprised that I wanted to include her in this blog. I've been feeling very vulnerable lately and wanting to just be small again. I asked my mom for some stories and photos, and she really obliged. Thank you so much for this Mommy, it touched my heart so much.

 

 "When you were little, I had fun showing you things – you were so interested. I remember letting you watch a snail sliding on an open window so that you could it move from the underside. You also grew the best green beans ever.

 

Then there was the day I let you play around the jungle gym because I thought you were too small to climb it properly – until you discovered there was a ladder in the middle tower – I have never climbed a jungle gym so quickly – ever. A young mother has to be fit.

I passed the park recently – that jungle gym has been replaced with a smaller version.

 

We used to take long walks with me pushing you in the pram. I remember lovely sunny days (just like my Sunny girl). The houses had low walls in those days and there were always people about. I met many strangers and had interesting conversations over garden gates and walls – starting of course with “can we see the Baby?”

 

I also enjoyed seeing peoples’ gardens over the walls and fish ponds and pretty plants. I learned that St Michael’s road used to be chalk, and there was a vlei on Keurboom road were one Granny had been courted, many, many years ago. Imagine standing on a street corner discussing the habits of hamsters. It is so sad that all these houses are now surrounded by high walls and electric fences. The
neighbours that one met in the road with their shopping who told about my neighbourhood when they were young are all gone now."

 

Look at the gorgeous photos my mom pulled out, even one with Mrs Fowler - a neighbour who's reputation has far outlived her.

 

Supermom! #100convos #5

I can’t even remember when I first met Malika, it feels like I’ve always known her. We work for the same company but in different departments and really don’t get to chat as often as I’d like, especially when her department moved to a whole different floor! Like good friendships, the space doesn’t seem to matter.

I caught up with Malika at the end of a busy day. She let out a sigh and told me someone had reminded her at 2pm to eat lunch – one of those days. Suddenly she looks at me and exclaims that she always thought that my eyes were blue-green, not blue-grey. Just another indication of how we all seem to rush past each other, face-to-face and one-on-one is becoming the exception rather than the norm.

I asked Malika for a story about her daughter.

“So, I phoned Aalia and asked her: ‘How was school?’ She is 3 years old and says to me: ‘Never mind about how school was, you just need to know we’re having a Halloween party tonight. So get your costume ready for tonight.’”

At home, I asked?

“Yes! Now you know what I’m in for. She actually used the word costume!”

Malika loves Pinterest and we chatted about all the DIY and design projects that we keep meaning to do. She has plans to build a fire pit in her back yard and showed me a lovely quote that she plans to paint about the pit. I shared how I was surprised that I manage to stick to my 100 day challenges. We spoke about getting started and keeping at it. Then like Yoda, Malika drops some wisdom on me.

“It’s like running, the 1st kilometer or 2 is easy, then you get to 4 or 5 you start to die, your legs are crying – then your second breath kicks in and you can go onto 10 or 15km.”

I just stared at her till she said; “Yes I run”

But you said 10 or 15km?

“Yes, the most I’ve done was 21km, once”

Wow, you’re Supermom!

"Aw, you think that of me? That’s lank cute!”