2016

It is just more than a week since the New Year was 'rung in' across the world and this year we were all tucked in bed and sound asleep when the clock struck midnight and a new day and a new year began. This was so unlike 2015 which started off with a bang in more ways than one. 

Johan was still with NiQi and I in Pretoria and as had become a tradition since Elmarie and Marco's return from Canada, the Pretoria family congregated at their home for a New Year's Eve braai and celebrations to see in 2015. The braai as always was jolly and festive and Marco and Vian had invested in some 'pretty' fireworks. I say 'pretty' because with all the negative hype around fireworks and what the noise does to our domestic animals, the emphasis was on the flickering and swirling and swooshing into the atmosphere with the minimal amount of noise.

We will however none of us forget the one wayward firework that almost caused a catastrophe of note. Vian had lined up a number of giant rockets to be set off in quick succession....which he did.....and then we all stood and watched as they one by one started off with tiny sparks, shot off into the air, culminating in a massive array of multi coloured lights dissipating into the clear night sky. HOWEVER..... one of these rockets must have been faulty in the manufacturing process as it whizzed off into the night sky and then as suddenly boomeranged back at us, separating us as in the split second it took to then eaze back up into the air, it made it's way over the neighbours wall, under their carport and fizzled out in an anticlimax of nothingness. Needless to say we were all aghast at what had just transpired and with initial nervous giggles as we realized just how awful the incident could have ended, relief engulfed us. This New Year's eve I asked on our family whatsapp group if there would be celebrations with fireworks, to which Brett responded...'nothing more than sparklers'.

I look forward, as I always do, to another year. A year of 366 days as I realized half way through January 1st that this year is a leap year. A year which will be unwrapped one new day at a time. Whatever happens I know that God will be walking alongside me on my good days and carrying me on my sad ones. I am glad I do not know what the future holds but smiles or tears I will, God willing, get up each day and face it with all the strength I am given.

May 2016 be a year of love, celebration, much happiness, joy and laughter for each one of you.