The School Corridor Tatler

Sasha with her cousins who came along for the Matric Results announcement Just the other day, almost nineteen years ago, I discovered we were going to have another baby. I don't want to bore you with all the details, but Sasha was a complete surprise to us. At the time, my dad who was still here with us, was more excited than I was. He reminded an emotional me of the blessings and privilege it was to be a parent. I swear that when I was in labour (forever again), he was sitting on the armchair, keeping watch over his second granddaughter. Today I was all soppy again. Time flies too fast. Sasha has suddenly grown into this beautiful, young woman. While we were chatting one day, she said: " I explained to my friends that I have to take small steps so that you can get used to the fact that I am no longer twelve years old. I will go out to clubs, then take a break to allow you guys to recover, then go out again. I want to help you deal with the shock of having an eightee...

We have a super celebration in the the family tonight. Our nephew, Nazeer, Aka Nazarro (compliments Pa Peet) will be 21 on Sunday, 8th June but the party is happening today. The party, that is, where all the aunts, uncles, cousins and friends will be. The REAL party, we are told, is a combo celebration of four newly-crowned 21 year olds that will be entertaining their inner circle of friends to a looooong weekend away.   But this 21st celebration - Nazeer's Big Key Day - is a very special one. You see, Nazeer lost his all- time hero, his only parent and chief caregiver when he had just turned seventeen four years ago. Glenda, our darling sister, Nazeer's Mom, finally gave up the fight against cancer in July 2010. Since that time, Nazeer has become Levona and Ricardo eldest son. With our strong family bonds, we could help soften the blow of his loss, but I still believe Nazeer's strength of character and the lessons he learned from Glenda have been critical in his life. ...

On  Friday evening, Levona, Hilary and I trekked off to Groote Schuur hospital to visit our aunt, Aunty Henna.  What a lovely evening we had. Aunty Henna is our only surviving aunt.  Lecinda and Janine, her two granddaughters were also visiting. The visit turned out to be a fantastic family bonding session. Despite her frail state, Aunty Henna was a wonderful hostess. She lay there in her bed, all regal and proceeded to tell us about the start of her journey to doctors and hospitals.   Aunty Henna and I having a hugging moment and luvin it! Every detail was described graphically. We heard how Aunty Henna felt that the 'arthritis' was becoming unbearable and then she who never really visited the doctor, started her journey at this phase in her life. We went with her for the X-rays, the MRI's, to the dispensary where she was given 5 tablets that had to be taken for three weeks and then back to the day she fainted. Now, she said, she found herself lying in hospital and ...