The festive season

It has been wonderful catching up with all my friends again and although everyone in the area has been complaining about the coolish weather and almost daily drizzle, I am loving it!

Little wonders that I have often taken for granted show up at the most opportune moments and I am reminded how lucky I am to be me!

I forgot how wonderful it is to watch little birds splashing in a bird bath and to hear their joyful singing, mosquito's that warn one of their imminent attack, cool breezes that sneak in the windows at night, the smell of freshly cut grass, being able to sit outside in the dusk without fear of malaria, dewed green grass under ones bare feet, fresh vegetables, crunchy fruit and baked bread, obruni hairdressers, quality workmanship, quality goods, mostly quality service, unfrizzy hair, fresh smelling linen, cool kitchens, reliable electricity and water, the smell of braaing meat, East Coast Radio music, quick internet, companions with a similar sense of humour, tarred roads and my own dependable vehicle but mostly the love, support and condolences of a wonderful family and special friends.  Even the passing on of our country's dear Madiba as well as my darling little Gundi have not tarnished the gratitude I have for being back in this beautiful land of ours. 

Porks has arrived and is so happy to be home.  Andrew arrived on Friday, Tiki and Scruffy are thrilled that we are home, and I am whole again as my little family is safe and together.

From wherever you are reading this blog and are living in this world, my sincere wish for you all is a joyful festive season and a safe and love-filled holiday. 

 

 You all really make a huge positive difference in my life, and for that I am so grateful, thank you.

My little mongoose

 

I am so, so, so sad.  My precious little Gundi has died.  Colin, who had so kindly been looking after him in Ghana while we are away, was letting him walk across his legs to the coffee table and Gundi fell off and died.  Colin thinks he must have broken his neck.  Gundi loved to explore and was good at communicating where he wanted to go, so it could have happened to any of us.  I feel terrible for Colin too, as he got to love Gundi and had to relay the sad news to us.

Here are a few pictures you might have seen before but I needed to share these with you, as well as give a tribute to a little wild animal that brought unbelievable joy and fulfilment to my life in Ghana.  I spent far more time with this dear little creature than I did with my husband and he made living in a strange country bearable for me.

 

 

 

 

The last picture of my Gunds the day that I left to come back to South Africa.

There is a profound quote which ends this impossible tribute to my Gunds.

"Grief is the price we pay for love" and I would rather have loved and lost Gundi, than never have loved him at all. 

My heart is aching and I miss you my sweet little mongoose.