GREETINGS FROM SUNNY SOUTH AFRICA!
MAXMOM here...
(Sunrise at my house)
Hello there to all my friends across the world!
This is a special blogpost today, and I appeal for your indulgence as I take over Toby's blog for the day. You see, my heart has been so touched... :
I would like to dedicate this blogpost to a very old friend,
whom I lost contact with about
20 years ago!
AVRIL THOMPSON - THIS IS FOR YOU, with love!!!
(Avril: Your old house)
Please allow me to explain:
Yesterday, one of my blogger-friends,
left this comment:
"You won't believe this but a good friend of mine, Avril, used to live behind you in S.A. She taught swimming to your girls and you taught aerobics. I directed her to your blog cause she is a dog lover and having lived in your neighborhood I thought somehow she might know you - never did guess that you'd have been neighbors."
(The cul-de-sac: How the oak tree has grown!)
Sometimes the internet can be so amazing!
In the early 90's, South Africa was in the midst of incredible change. A new democracy had emerged, but many South Africans left our shores for various reasons. We had to say goodbye to many friends - some of whom we lost contact with. Avril and her family were one of those.
I could not believe 'Nananor's' comment yesterday. How incredible the internet can be!
(Looking up into the branches of what was once a 'baby' oak tree when you were here!)
So, today, I am going to be sharing a selection of pictures from my neighbourhood
To Avril, with love:
(Our park)
(Thursday's dustbin truck: the highlight of our week, LOL!)
(Hymany dam, at the top end of our park)
(Early morning alarm clock - a Hadedah Ibis - on top of YOUR roof!)
(Looking towards my neighbour's house, after an afternoon thunderstorm)
(Our garden - during a thunderstorm)
(Our kids' old school)
(A resident weaver bird. I'm sure you had them in your garden too, way back then.)
(Rameron Pigeon in the white stinkwood tree)
(Another territorial feathered friend - the Cape Robin)
(I can't leave out our little 'leggy' friends!)
(University of the Witwatersrand: The Great Hall)
(Downtown Braamfontein)
(The relatively new: Nelson Mandela Bridge)
(The new international arrivals hall: Oliver Tambo International airport)
(Finally: Sunset through the willow trees in our park)
We miss you all, Avril!
You were great neighbours!
I'll never forget that basket of delicious muffins that you handed to me, on that very first day in our new home -
20 years ago!!!
(1989)
Little gestures go a long way!
Thank you again, to Nananor for bringing back some fond memories!
Thank you again, to Nananor for bringing back some fond memories!
What a blessing!
Sending lotsaluv to ALL my friends across the world and to my dispersed family.
I love you all!
A SPECIAL NOTE:
I would also like to send good-luck wishes to our own South African Cricket Team:
THE PROTEAS...
as they battle it out today against New Zealand in the quarter-finals of the...
CRICKET WORLD CUP
15 comments:
How fabulous!
Mamma Heartbeat
How wonderful!
And lots of great photos. We especially love the birds!
Dear Friend, I will be talking with Avril and sharing this post with her-I know she will love reading it! Thank you for sharing your homeland with me. Such beauty! I will email you later and also share Avril's email with you.
Hugs today and lotsoflove.
Noreen
An absolutely gorgeous, from the ♥, blog post. I'm sure that your wonderful photos will stir memories of long forgotten places and events. Aren't friends wonderful gifts? I can't imagine what I'd do without mine, among which you are an important part.
mimi
That is so exciting and amazing!
Benny & Lily
AWW that's just wonderful!
Very cool! Just goes to show how small the world really is.
Very cool and sweet! I love your neighborhood, it's so bootiful!
Woofs,
Pepsi
How nice to be reunited with old friends. Isn't it great how God blesses us with things that He knows will make our heart sing?
I like your sunrise picture. My favorite thing about sunrises/sunsets is the stark difference between how the trees look black and all glory shows in the sky.
Have a great weekend and blessings from all of us in the holler...
The internet is a fabulous thing. I am glad you found your friend and am sure she will love her tour of old haunts.. Hugs GJ xx
How neat is that!
Sam
What a very small world! Hope you can get to "talk" to your old friend.
Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara
The internet can be an amazing place to reconnect! What a wonderful post!
Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch
WOW, I am so glad I dropped in today!
The internet is an amazing place, indeed!
xxoo
Deborah
I wish for a hug right now, because you talked about special friends and memories, and you touched my heart. I know how your heart is over flowing with fond memories and joy as you reconnect with an old friend.
As Kim at Golden Pines says, "the way to a friends home is never long". And I think the way to a friends heart is not a long path either,,, if we open up...
and your post just made me think and feel full of emotions,,, and I remember old friends and new ones,, and one that I wish I knew,,
like you.
love
tweedles
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