VGreetings to all of you from Gail,
I wanted to thank you all for the birthday wishes. It was the longest birthday celebration I’ve yet experienced. Here’s the wrap-up. First there was the phone call from Mary on March 10. I’d just finished up a great beginning sewing lesson with 12 members of one of the Bambanani groups. It went much better than anticipated (all showed up, and were on time, learned a lot of basic skills and made a cell phone purse) – so I was beaming & then the phone rang just as I was entering a khumbi. Despite the noise, we had a good conversation highlighted by hearing both Hatch and Lavinia speak. Then on Sunday, Mike happened to mention to Michelle and her mother that Monday was my 60th birthday, so they invited me up for tea, and created a make-shift “cake” out of marshmallows, candies and cookies. At the end of the visit, Michelle’s sister & family stopped by and she had made a delicious cake that wasn’t exactly meant for my birthday, but we all shared it. Later on that evening we had a clear and fun conversation with Ellen, Gram and Granddad. Everyone sounded so good, it warmed our hearts. We’re so looking forward to Ellen & Kevin’s upcoming visit. On Monday, Michelle came buy with a card and some lovely after-bath powder. Then Peter stopped by after lunch with a gift from Candace: a cookbook of healthy foods and a Swazi candle. During the tutoring time, all 36 kids came by to bring me their homemade cards and hugs. It was so sweet to see their bright proud faces as they handed me their creations. Then came the phone calls from Dana as well as from Steve, Frank and my mom followed by Helen. Wow – I was glowing. Tues. was a day of normal activity. Wed. I was invited to come to tea at Michelle’s parents’ farm, so that we could meet a mutual friend’s mother who was visiting. Actually it was a surprise party for me, complete with lots of goodies to eat and MORE gifts: delightfully bright colored boots and a floppy sunhat from Michelle, homemade jam and a book from Cherie (Michelle’s mom), earrings and a book from Linda (the friend). Then, at the Wednesday Fellowship night, Lizel had a little parcel for me – 2 different kinds of lotion. I go through so much of it with the dry weather, I always need more. Had another normal two days before the once-a-month Pasture Valley birthday party. I got to sit up front with 3 of the Pasture Valley kids who share March birthdays with me, as well as Peter. Of course the kids are the center of that party, but each of us had our own cake, and Michelle made sure I had a few things to open: a chocolate bar, lotion and bath spray. One tradition at the P.V. parties is that after everyone sings Happy Birthday, they then clap once for every year. There was lots of laughter as they really did clap and count to 60. On Sunday, Mike checked the P.O. box and returned with 3 cards from home: from Frank & Kathleen, Mary and Sally. Phone calls are great, but there’s nothing like a card or letter that I can reread over and over. Well, that’s the story of the endless celebration. Clearly one of my most memorable. Thanks to everyone near and far for reminding me of all my blessings. That’s all for now. Next blog entry will describe my sewing lesson experiences thus far – lots to tell, so it will have to wait for another day. Love and hugs from afar, Gail
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment