Family things.

4 September 2021

A year ago, I was in the gutters of fear because of the lockdown effects.

No guestshouse income, and a tender process for our farm rent, that was exhausting, while my daughter needed medical attention.

Our car needed new tyres and a new battery, we drove around with battery charger and pump for slow puncture tyres. It also needed a new diesel tank!! I was in a very bad space.

I confirmed to go with to a family reunion, and there was just no way out of it. Since my husband’s death and my Mom’s sick bed, I drifted away from my family and honestly feared this planned road trip and weekend together.

Our situation we’re so bad financially, there was a strong possibility that we might need to move back to my family.

My pride and ego hurt bad, and the fear of losing sole influence and control over my children, was overwhelming.

At that stage, fear of leaving the house and province because of lockdown anxiety, and overall to be seperated from my children in different vehicles and not be driving self. It wasn’t easy at all.

I drove with my Dad and sister for 6 hours to my youngest brother.

It was AMAZING! Horrifically sad at the same time, without my Mom, this first family roadtrip, but for the first time since her death and lockdown, we bonded and shared memories.

And coming from struggling widow and single mother, it was so awesome that someone else is driving and my Dad of all people.

My Dad can!

He can drive and he knows all the roads, no fear of dirt road or tar road, Cape Town is his home town. He doesn’t even need a GPS to get to my brother’s house, and I didn’t need to pay for anything.

After very stressful time since lockdown, it was incredible. And it even got better after my cool youngest brother got in and we drove to a place I didn’t even know before. Check in to a guesthouse and I only have myself to worry about, for the first time in a long time, no children to care for.

They we’re coming the next day with my other brother. And I must say, it was difficult to let them go, especially after my daughter recently had a lumbar puncture, that leak and another hospital procedure to fix it.

As we arrived at the family reunion evening….

I wish my children could witness it. As my Dad got out of the car, my Dad really received a hearty welcome!

All the cousins around the fire called him on his nickname, which I haven’t heard in a long time and greeted him heartedly. They all look alike, it was like seeing my late Grandfather. Who knew there are so many people with my Dad’s unique last name. I thought we we’re the only ones. We got teased so much at school about our last name.

They all knew about the loss of my Mom and my husband, yet, the bond of blood in family, really got put over our hurt, like healing ointment.

I walked into a barn, and me and my husband’s song played, Bad Boys Blue, Queen of hearts.

That hit hard. Memories flooding of all the dances we’ve been too, and the plans we had to go to many more, with our children growing up.

It is an unforgettable new memory.

The next morning, we had the incredible privilege to be taken to Bushmen’s caves! I wished my children could have experienced it with me, they went the next day. It reminded me of how my husband always took guests to caves near our house on the farm

I told everyone about my cool kids, confident they will behave and impress when they arrive. Apparently they did not have such a nice time, and arrived in terrible mood and totally embarrassed me.

So after they acclimated, they also started enjoying this incredible privilege of family reunion. My son discovered there are people with the same last name as us. Apparently I am not the first girl with from my Dad’s family to marry into same last name as my husband’s family. Very unique and we got intrigued into google family trees.

I bonded with two special ladies. My great-great cousin and her Mom.

So I was just basically making small talk and while being very sad, thinking, let me just get this weekend over.

I asked her, what do you for a living. (Thank you Herbalife training.) She said she is an accountant.

I very absent minded mention, so you must be good in maths?

She responded lightning quick:”Yes, I am!”

With tremendous confidence.

My head turned very fast to face her and she got my attention. I politely stay silent, however, she saw the expression on my face, and continued:

“Why must I deny a compliment? It is like saying to a pretty women she is pretty.

I am good with maths, and proud of it!”

(With all due respect, she was not the prettiest of women, but super intelligent, oozed confidence and very kind hearted, yet a strong and secure women.)

I laughed in amazement and she earned my respect and trust and we shared conversations the whole weekend, with her extraordinary and amazing Mother by her side.

A mother who raised her children alone and who lost her income due to covid, but was taken in by her precious daughter, who started an incredible accounting business, very successfully, during lockdown.

I had the privilege of staying in contact with her, and about a month ago we chatted, and she continued to take my breath away.

I mean, she is a mix of my brother’s and daughter, extremely clever, thinking super fast and amazing sense of humor, with a propper mix of kindness.

The Saturday night, was mind blowing!! My children experienced opera music, with a sense of humor and also the sense of love my Dad’s family have for music, culture and people. My Mom and my husband would have thoroughly enjoyed this. And we relaxed with carefree joy from extraordinary entertainment. Like truly once in a lifetime experience.

The last day my daughter discovered mutual interests with one of her great-great-great cousin. We had the privilege of eating out in the Spur in Malmesbury, my Dad’s hometown. Without my Mom and husband, 4 of our 5 children, and 3 grandchildren.

For me and my children, it was the first time in a restaurant since start of lockdown. It felt unreal. Our horizons we’re broadened.

We visit my grandparents grave and went to overnight in a penthouse near the Waterfront.

My son went crazy with excitement, it was first time experience for him and he just wanted to go check out the gym. Which reminded me of all the time share holidays at Seapoint, when my 3 brother’s we’re my son’s age. Typically country side boys, riding the lifts up and down and also check out the gym and jacuzzi.

Those days 3 boys between 8 & 13 years old, could still dare running around there without our parents.

What an amazing privileged childhood we had.

It is only once you become a parent yourself, that you understand the sacrifices parents sometimes do for they’re children.

The whole experience silenced me for a long time, as I got connected with these family members on Facebook, and I really tried to think before I share my life on FB.

I mean like WOW, they are some serious impressive and super skilled people!

At that time, me and my children really needed that experience more than we realize. It is really awesome to know your roots.

I sincerely pray, we can all, and more, get together again at a family reunion.

With tremendous gratitude to God, our Father in Heaven, that planned all of our lives already in the womb.

(In loving memory to my great-great cousin who since passed away from Covid about a year ago. May she rest in peace.

Treasure each moment as if it will never happen again, because it won’t!)

4 September 2013

WOW, what a day! What a week and what a year! I honestly don't know anymore? The harder I try and encourage other people, and specifically with fighting for they're marriage and family, the harder my marriage and family get attacked. The harder I try and motivate people to stay positive, the worse I get attacked! Literally, as I come through the one difficulty, another one hits me.

Maybe I heard the Holy Spirit wrong, because it wasn't a happy feeling when I heard it, more like being hit with a rock and kind of feeling of fear to commit to my purpose.

I mean, I just finally get used to how things are now, and it has been a constant change. I definitely need to pray harder. Not so sure if I am the right person for this job (but I am willing).

I am the least likely to succeed, I am always late, I am disorganized, I am branded lazy, untidy, insensitive, unsocial, a boaster and I will gladly exchange places with Joseph the dreamer in Egypt's prison at this moment.

After almost 12 years of marriage, I came to a shocking realization it is expected of me the (the wife) to pick up behind my dear amazing husband and children, and I am not once aloud, when I am tired and stressed to complain about it.

So I am not sure if it makes me a bad person, or a good person, since being labeled lazy and untidy, to wash the dishes alone 3 times a day, to constantly put dirty clothes in the washing machine and fold up and pack away, and to home school in between and work from home in between, AND do the garden too now!

HOW DO OTHER WOMEN DO THIS?

I have the best and safest supplements to back me up, but I feel like I am getting more and more behind everyday. I am not even sure why I am doing this all, because I used to have typical A.D.D symptoms of being very self centered and is a constant battle to not try in do thing in sequence and to concentrate on more than one thing at a time. I am so proud that I finally managed to plan ahead to buy enough toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, washing powder and stuff like that, cleaning, enough for a family of 4 and to satisfy everybody's desires!

YES, it has taken me so long to learn this, I didn't have the wisdom or knowledge to knew before marriage, that is what it takes! AND how do I teach my children to pickup behind themselves?

23 October 2022

The objective of my blog is first of all to testify for God, secondly to share the story of my life, which unfortunately at the moment is very painful.

This past year feels worse year ever, and even for that I thank God.

I know have lost sole influence of my children, but this time they left by themselves and did not beg me to stay in charge.

I have since discovered how they “ruled” me and manipulated me, however, like me, also blame they’re Mother.

That is a story for another blog.

Things are tough now, we have a nicer vehicle now, nice houses, but almost no money or groceries, YET, God provides for is DAILY!!!

Friday night I had the incredible privilege to be invited for a braai by my niece, who support us at our guestshouse, and I had the joy of first braai ever, at our newly improved guestshouse. Almost a year after that braai has been build.

Sitting around heritage dining room table of our Grandfather’s.

ONE PRECIOUS, HOLY MOMENT IN TIME!

Hoe precious to be in uplifting conversation with blood family and also fellow believer.

AMAZING, extraordinary people.

I am just so thankful to God for all the good and bad and despite of everything, all the hardships, trials and tribulations, STILL so much to be thankful for.

We cannot change our past and history, however, God is really nudging me into new directions.

Change is uncomfortable, but necessary for growth.

Whoever you are reading here, choose GRATITUDE for everything!

May the JOY OF THE Lord, and peace that surpasses all understanding, be with you.

Love,

Daisy

PS:

As always, excuse the mistakes. I have OCD, but I am not a perfectionist..

Still a work in progress. (Always & Forever)

Please contact me with any advice on how to improve. :) )

To find out more about Herbalife or our farm guestshouse, send me a message in CONTACT.

DISCLAIMER:

These are my thoughts based on the story and testimonies of my life story, to whom I give God all the glory for. I respect people of all walks of life and all religions. However, I choose to believe and stay grounded in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.