Letters to my Grandchild

Gumpy and I were invited to visit your school and watch you in a bicycle relay to raise funds.  The night before the the relay, Mom went to the garage to get your tricycle out and clean it only to find that it was gone.  They had a break-in a few weeks earlier and didn't realise at the time that you bike was one of the items stolen.  So, there was a big panic to rush out and buy you a new bike so that you could take part in the bicycle relay. Granny Laura was there too and we were very proud of you when you completed all your laps - with the help of Mommy and Shay - and got a gold medal!   This is a photograph of you and your teacher, Mrs Davey.  When we play schools at home, you are always Mrs Davey and I am the children!

Hi Em, We don't often have snow close to home so when we had a really cold snap recently and lost of snow in the midlands, Mark and Tammy couldn't resist taking you inlandto see the crucnch white stuff! You weren't too sure about it and you didn't like sitting in it because you got a wet backside! What a lovely experience for you!!  It might be a while before you have the opportunity to see snow again.

Hello my darling Em, About a month ago we had a final family get-together at Patty’s place. It was strange to see it so empty. We explained to you before we got there that Patty’s stuff was all gone and that her house was empty: we didn’t want you to get a fright when you arrived. We ordered pizza and ate on paper plates with paper serviettes because there was no crockery, glassware or cleaning up stuff there. It was quite fun and we laughed a lot and Patty was very present. I think she would have loved that we were there together. Two weeks later, Tam and Mark went to a wedding in the midlands and because they were staying overnight, I had a sleep-over at your place. It was great fun. We played concerts. All the toys were on the couch and on chairs in front of the couch. We had different coloured paper tickets, popcorn, cold-drink and jelly beans for everyone. First you sang a song, then I sang a song. Then you did a dance and then I did a dance. Then ...

Hello my darling Em, I can't believe how much you have learned in just 3 and a half years!  From a tiny, helpless, pracitcally blind, toothless, uncordinated little scrap of life, you have become a thinking, talking, walking, curious, imaginative, bright young lady.  Besides knowing all the domestic animals you also recognize nearly all the African wild animals.  Last month you went back to the Cheetah Rehab centre in Hluhluwe.  I told you that the Cheetah were going to be so happy to see you again and that they would say, "Hello Emily, thank you for coming back to see us."  You looked at me a bit strangely and said, "Granny.  Cheetahs can't talk, you know."  Out of the mouths of babes! A couple of weeks ago your step-granny visited you from the Dominican Republic. She is married to your Grand-father (Tammy's father). We all went to uShaka for dinner and to listen to Richard (your father's cousin from Johannesburg) and his school musician...

Hello darling Em, Exactly a month ago today your aunt Patty - my beloved sister - passed away.  It was the weekend when we went to the Oaks.  Patty had a severe stroke at home and never woke up from a coma.  We had a memorial service for her but your Mom and Dad decided that you should not come because a lot of sad and crying people could upset and confuse you. When Patty's ventilator was switched off, Mom explained to you that Patty was old, very sick and that she had died.  She said that Patty had gone away and that we would not be seeing her again. The night she died we had everyone to dinner at our house.  You asked who was going to fetch Patty.  When Tammy reminded you that Patty had died, you said, "Oh no - not again!" Today when you and your Mom and Dad came to Patty's place to help us clear out her stuff, I heard you laughing as your other Granny played with you and I could feel Patty smiling.  Patty loved you very much.  Sh...

On the 24th March we had a lovely overnight stay at The Oaks at Byrne guest farm.  Your Dad and Greg spent many happy childhood holidays there and we wanted you to experience it too. Mark loved sitting on the 'gunda-gunda' and would spend hours pretending to drive it.  We couldn't believe it when we saw that it was still there - brightly coloured but with flat tyres of course! You played with Samantha - a little girl whose Daddy also spent childhood holidays at the Oaks. Gumpy took you to see the pigs and the horses and a donkey called Humphrey. Children have their own diningroom but they made an exception for you to have breakfast and dinner with us in the adult dinigroom.  You enjoyed giving us each a toothpick from the holders on the tables around us! After breakfast you went on a ride on Humphrey and gave him a pear to eat afterwards. I've got a photograph of your Daddy on this swing when he was 18 months old! We went to visit the litt...

Hello my darling Em, I can't believe that you are now a school-girl. One minute you were a helpless babe in arms and now you are this grown up little miss! After a long search Mom found you a lovely school and you have learned to put your hand up when you want to go to the toilet; to say a prayer before your snack and lunch with your eyes closed and hands together, and to sing new songs.  You went on an outing to Mitchell park.  Your carer is away so Michelle Deme has been your carer this month. You get on very well with her and I think she is going to miss you when Shay comes back later this week. My friend Isabel came to stay with me for three weeks in January.  I showed you her photograph a few times before she arrived and when she met you for the first time you met her as though you had known each other for years!  She brought you a lovely little dress and a some make up and nail polish and you had a great time doing each other's nails and brushing ...

Happy, happy 3rd Christmas darling Em! You enjoyed last year's Christmas but this year you knew about Father Christmas and that you would have presents on Christmas day. I wrapped lots of presents and put them in the end room cupboard. You found them one day and when I explained that they were for the grown-ups for Christmas day you were quite happy to leave them alone. That is amazing! I don't know many children who wouldn't have whined to open them or tried to get to them anyway. This time you didn't cry when you saw Santa and at the Christmas Tree party at your Dad's office, you were quite calm when it was your turn to get your present.  Two little Christmas fairies - with Shea, your au pair who will be going to school with you when you start next week.  When you saw stockings under the tree for our Carling and Jenna you wanted to try them on!  A picnic feast on Boxing Day - crudités and dip on the front lawn. Cooling off in the ...

Yay!!  Last weekend you had a sleepover at our house.  At mid-day you went to your Dad's work Christmas Tree Party.  Then Mom and Dad were going to the Company Christmas dinner in the evening so Mom asked if we could have you for a sleep over.  You haven't slept here over night since you were a little babe so we were happy to say yes! After Mom and Dad left I gave you a bubble bath and brushed your hair. Your hair has grown quite long and is still very blond. Then you and Gumpy had chicken and chips for dinner. I cut pieces off Gumpy's large schnitzel and gave you little strips of chicken. You ate it all and enjoyed the chips with tomato sauce. We watched Ceebeebies and at about 8pm I took you to bed. Your bed was the fold out sleeper couch in our room. You chatted away for nearly an hour before you went to sleep. You talk in your sleep! I also heard you shout once and thought you were awake. You woke up at 5am and I lay down next to you on t...

Hello my darling, Last weekend you were in Parklands having your Pamidronate treatment.  Until now you have been going for 3 days every 3 months, having treatment for 3 hours each day.  Now that you weigh 13kg you only have to go again in March next year, and every 4 months thereafter!  YAY!!  That'll make your life easier my darling girl.  When I visited you the first day I asked you what you had on your hand (it was bandaged to hold the port in place).  You said, "The doctor gave me a mosquito bite."    I had a cold so I didn't want to visit you in the ward.  Mom and Dad brought you to the coffee shop so that we could sit together.  I brought foxy (a red hand-puppet that I think is over 30 years old) and your little St Bernard puppy toy called Sparky.  You were so pleased to see them - like they were real friends come to visit you.  On Sunday I brought Thandi, your little brown dolly, and Pink Panther. ...

Hello my Emily Ann! You are a lucky girl - you are going to have two birthdays this month!  Your birthday is on Sunday 16th October but, because there was a chance that South Africa might be in the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup and because the AmaShova cycle race is on next weekend, your parents decided to bring your party forward to the 8th October instead.  So we had balloons, banners, cake, sweets, chips, and a magician and clown who did face painting at your party.  It was great fun!  You wanted a butterly and Barbie party so Mom made a butterfly cake that had a Barbie doll for the body.  She very cleverly made a skirt for Barbie out of icing so when it came to blowing out the candles and cutting up the cake, you ate the clothes off the Barbie doll!  And then, the following week, on your birthday 16th October, we had a Birthday Tea Party for the family.  I brought your table into the lounge and set it with all your colourful pla...