Letters to my Grandchild

Hello darling Emily - my BFF - my princess - special child - light of my life! On the 8th July 2008 I posted on your Blog a picture of the first doll I bought for you.  This is what I wrote:   I tried to feel you kick the other night but you were tired and although Tammy could feel you moving, I couldn't feel anything.    I am writing to tell you that I bought you a rag doll yesterday. Now, this might not seem like much but if is a first for me. I only had boy babies, so even though I bought Teddies and other toys, I've never bought Dollies before! It was quite exciting buying a doll. She is a sweet little rag doll with yellow hair and a cute dress. I made sure that I bought one with no buttons for eyes and no hard or loose bits that a baby can pull off or chew.  When you visited the other day we decided to have a 9 year birthday party for Raggedy.  We both dressed up and we had cold drinks and biscuits.  You shared yours with Raggedy. ...

My darling, precious Em, What a busy holidays you had this month!  You had a school fun day. It was warm enough for you to swim and we spent some time playing on the big lilo your folks bought you for Christmas. We went to Tembe Elephant park the first weekend in April  It was a combined birthdays and anniversaries celebration.  Gumpy's birthday is on 8th April, our wedding anniversary on 12th April, Sharon's birthday on 29th April, your Mom and Dad's anniversary on 2 May, your Dad's birthday on 15th May, Mom's on 24th, Greg's 26th and Sharon and Greg's anniversary on 30th May.  Only you and I have birthdays in different months. You enjoyed the Game Drives, even when the elephants almost surrounded the vehicle and we had to keep very quiet and not move.  They had a tiny baby and all the adults were protecting it. You also enjoyed the school group choir that come to give us a show on Saturday night.  You got up and danced with the lead dance...

My darling Em, This is the last post for 2016 - an eventful year for you. You started at your new School - La Lucia Junior Primary - in January.  You made friends with Ethan and Captain - two big Labbies - after being afraid of big dogs; you had a holiday in Johannesburg and at the river with Jeff and Gail in April and September; you did your first 200 m swimming badge in June; we went to the Midlands Saddle and Trout and to Hluhluwe in June: Jeff was diagnosed with cancer in his tonsil and in June and had to undergo surgery, chemo and radiation. In August you cracked your big toe (ouch!); you had two birthday parties in October - one with beanbags at your house and one at the SPUR in Durban north.  You had two treatments this year and you grew 5.5cm to 1.2m tall. Although you passed everything in Grade 11 it was felt that you would benefit more from repeating grade 11 next year than going to Grade 111.  It was difficult for your Mom and Dad to explain this to you a...

   YEE-HAA!!!  200m!   I can't even swim 10 m without the noodle!  You are a great swimmer!     You had some fun with your new 'Aunty' Merilyn (who is your Mom's aunt) Just look how beautiful your hair is and much it has grown!  You could easily be Rapunzel!     Poor little Muffin had to wear a collar and stay in the cage after having her operation. Your smart new winter uniform.  We attended your assembly again where the Grade Two's were given special certificates.  Yours says:  "This young lady never stops smiling, she always gives of her best and she loves to chat too."   Having fun with the Sharks at the Sharks Tank   The 'Pirahna' creeper at the bottom of our garden flowers in April.  It has a very strong, sweet perfume.  You cut a couple of sprays of flowers on Jenna and Carling's graves.