Learning to walk - Ohpaw Theron

My dear angel,

Once again your ohpaw has graced us with his beautiful words, so appropriate and so fitting. Dankie pa, dit is pragtig!

Our inability to remember how we learned to walk is probably the prime reason why some people give up so readily when they are faced with challenges in life. If only we can remember the time when we were learning to walk, we would not be so ready to give up without a fight.
But even before we learned to walk, we had to learn how to fall on our buttocks while trying to stand up on our own legs. Most of the times when we tried to stand up, we fell down again. Sometimes we cried when falling down, while at other times we giggled and laughed at ourselves. Every so often, it took us some time to pluck up the courage to stand up again, but get up we did, and today we can not only walk, we can run, jump, skip, and dance. So, even if it did take us a while to want to stand up again, we never waited too long to give it another shot.
There were times when someone was around to catch us, and to cheer us on. And there were also times when we picked ourselves up silently, without anyone watching. The numerous falls did not stop us from wanting to rise on our legs. Did we hurt when we fell? You bet we did. But our determination to rise up every time was all that mattered.
The question is, if everyone has been through this stage, shouldn’t we all have the same determination today to rise up every time we fall? Not only that, but we should remember how someone wiped away the mournful tears we cried whenever we hurt. We should remember how someone – mommy or daddy, granny or grandpa, kissed away the pain. And we should remember how there always seemed to be someone to pick us up again when we fell. Nobody laughed at us when we fell. Nobody considered us weak or stupid. Nobody said we fell because we were arrogant, cocky, or conceited. On the contrary, everybody understood. And everybody wanted us to get up again. And Today? Today the very act of walking which once took so much effort seems like the easiest thing in the world to do. Because we persevered. Because SOMEONE cared. And because we knew that we had all been though the same “ordeal.” In short, we appreciated each other’s efforts to overcome life’s necessary obstacles.
TRULY, LIFE’S GREATEST LESSONS ARE ALREADY LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD.

Mother'sday, a Birthday, Measles and stuff!

Hello my angel boy!

Well, once again my only excuse is that I was so busy at work that I just didn't have time to write my little "love-letters" to you, but I told you about them every night though!

Ok, so, where do I start, at the beginning of the title I suppose. Well, the best mother's day present ever was to see you and your dad have such a great "male-bonding" experience. I had to study so dad took you out for a fun day, and it was so beautiful seeing father and son together, so happy, such a perfect match! Your father bought me the most amazing suit for work (it's REALLY pretty and I feel all professional like!), and when I took a break from my studies we had so much fun toghether!

Next on the list...oh yes, my birthday! Lots of fun, also took it very easy because...wait for it... I had to study! But I was spoiled rotten and got some beautiful pressies. I did, however notice that you were very niggly that week, but I wrote it off to teeth (in my "rational mind). Deep down, however, something was bothering me. I decided to wait it out because I don't want to be a hypochondriac. It's not healthy, and it certainly is not cheap, lol. But Friday I knew something was up.

That very day I was bragging to someone about how you have NEVER had a fever, not with teeth, not with ear-infection, not with anything! Well guess what. That night your temps shot up to 32.9C!!! Yes, mommy was having a small embulism! I was so stressed out! Dad was kinda calm (or just seemed like it), and got ouma Rina on the phone. She said - Panado, cold cloth, check it every hour. So, being the obedient parents that we are, that's what we did. We managed to keep your temps down to about 38C, but next day it was off to the doc, and yes, you had severe mid-ear infection. So, lots of meds, your temperature broke, yay, and you were on your way to recovery...or were you? Nope. Two days later I saw a funny rash behind your ears....hmmmm...I thought... I know what starts out like this... On the phone to the doc and he confirmed that it sounded like baby measles. Ouch my boy, I felt so sorry for you. You were not a happy camper at all! Two days later the rash started disapearing and then....just as I thought your misery was over, there they were, two pearly whites right next to your bottom teeth. Yay, so now you have 8 toofies! And thankfully the pain and misery was over in just one week!

Now you are walking (yes, literally walking) around like you own the earth and that the world is your play-ground. I love seeing you this happy! You are growing up so quickly! This weekend you spent a night at ouma Rina's and I couldn't believe how big you got when we picked you up. You were walking around, looking at the trees, and just....being a big boy!

I'm soooo increadibly proud of everything that you are my angel. You are beautiful, you are perfect. You make me laugh so much when you chase the dogs out, or when you go hmmmhmmmm for a biscuit. I love you with everything and thank you for enriching our lives.

Till next time my fatty!

Love
mom

One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind!

Well my angel, as you can read from the heading, you have indeed given what we like to think is your first steps.

It's been coming for a while, you've been "falling" with a little stumble into either my or dad's arms when prompted. But the night before last you gave a couple of definite, directed and controlled steps to dad and to me. So yes, there is trouble on the way! We are so very proud of you and the sheer determination on your face when you focus on the task at hand is one of the most adorable things we've ever seen. Followed by the elation of finally accomplishing that task ofcourse! So well done my boy, today the living room, tomorrow the world. We hope you will give plenty of leaps for mankind one day, and may all your steps from here on be directed by love, gratitude and sincerity.

Ohpaw sent this song to me by John Denver. It was written for his son Bobby, but as ohpaw said, it might as well have been for you:

I’ll walk in the rain by your side
I’ll cling to the warmth of your hand
I’ll do anything to keep you satisfied
I’ll love you more than anybody can

And the wind will whisper your name to me
Little birds will sing along in time
Leaves will bow down when you walk by
And morning bells will chime

I’ll be there when you’re feelin’ down
To kiss away the tears if you cry
I’ll share with you all the happiness I’ve found
A reflection of the love in your eyes

And I’ll sing you the songs of the rainbow
A whisper of the joy that is mine
And leaves will bow down when you walk by
And morning bells will chime

I’ll walk in the rain by your side
I’ll cling to the warmth of your tiny hand
I’ll do anything to help you understand
And I’ll love you more than anybody can

And the wind will whisper your name to me
Little birds will sing along in time
Leaves will bow down when you walk by
And morning bells will chime

Love you plenty my angel.

Mom