As many other families in South Africa, we also have a child who lives abroad. It's not a great situation for a parent but as the years go by, you learn to accept it and make the most of every visit that you are blessed with.
Our son came to visit a week ago and to say I was over the moon is an understatement! What is even more amazing is to see the four doggies in our household go absolutely bananas when they see him for the first time. This time one year and four months have passed since his last visit and they remember him as if he's never left!
One of the reasons he visited at this particular time of the year was because he had entered the Two Oceans Marathon, held in Cape Town every year round about this time.
My husband and I ran the 21km (yep, I survived!) and my son ran his very first 56km race! On the photo above he is about five seconds from crossing the finishing line - our family was shouting at the top of our voices at this stage, I still can't believe I managed to snap a photo successfully!
What a feeling! He finished the race in 6hours 26minutes - an achievement that he can share with his children one day!
The house is very empty right now as all the kids have left - my daughter and her family have moved into their new home after staying with us for a month. This morning it's the four dogs and I, and an eerie silence...
So back to blogging, an organized household and also, a time of reflection... How interesting the different seasons of our lives are. Households alive with kids who come and go - nothing really stays the same for long!
As for the animals of this home, as I type I am surrounded by four exhausted little bodies, all in dreamland! I'm sure that all the activity in their home has left them pretty confused - it looks as if they need a vacation of sorts at this stage!
Nice to have the time to post again, I'll be popping in to say hi on all your blogs in the days to come!
21kms is nothing to sneeze at--but 56....wow!
ReplyDeleteMaybe your son will come back sooner.
XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella
Well I certainly hope I won't have to wait another year!! Nice to hear from you!
ReplyDeleteWOW! Your son must be quite the athlete! I am sorry he lives far away that must be so difficult!
ReplyDeleteYour pal, Pip
Hey Mr Pip! Yes, we're very proud of him, you have to be pretty dedicated to train for such a long run and he did very well for his first time. Nice to hear from you too!
ReplyDeleteThat's great at training to run! That sounds like a lot of distance to run! Lots of love, Holly and mom
ReplyDeleteHi Ms Holly and your mom! Yep, that's a long way, VERY proud of our young man! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your son! That is a great achievement! He is a nice looking young man. Sorry your kids are so far away, I am sure that is difficult. But it is nice to have you and Abbey back to blogging!
ReplyDeleteK and Suka
Hey there Emilene...
ReplyDeleteHeartiest congrats to both your son and to you guys! Simply amazing! All of you!
Lotsaluv
MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA
K and Suka & MaxMom - Thank you! Every year I run I promise myself that I'll be more prepared for it the following year, but somehow, the older I get, the more difficult it is to stick to the training routines! Anyway, I survived and just revel in the energy and commitment the young people have!
ReplyDelete