DADS, YOU ROCK!
I watched with awe, this young man raising his kids as a single parent. He takes them to school every morning and fetches them again in the afternoon without fail. He is a handyman who is currently unemployed but he does odd jobs from time to time.
His kids totally adore him. It doesn’t matter to them that he is unemployed and not in a position to provide most of the material things they need.
When he enters through the gate, their excitement is mind-blowing. They have so much unconditional love and admiration for him. They just need his love and hugs.
This made me realise love is more important than anything else; it rises above material things. To all the dads out there, you have no idea how much your kids need you in their lives. They don’t need anything from you but your love. Time will never erase the memories of the ice cream you ate in the park with them and the Fanta orange you bought them. How you carried them on your back, ran and played with them.
Those memories are priceless. You will always be their hero without the cape. MYRIAM BARENDSE, EMAIL
IWONDER if it was a strategic move to let us know loadshedding is back just as we were in the throes of celebrating the Springbok win. It’s somewhat less depressing when you’re still feeling the joy – but we all know we now have to get back to planning and prep mode.
I’m super happy that our new food magazine is out and ready to help make your life easier. No Heat, Let’s Eat is packed with loadshedding-friendly recipes to make mealtimes more manageable, especially during the dreaded morning and evening slots.
For me, the best part of this magazine is that all the meals in it can be eaten cold or at room temperature. So even if you prepare it ahead of time, you don’t need to find ways to heat it if you’re without electricity during lunch- or dinnertime.
You’ll find a few recipes in our food pages this week (page 22) and don’t miss the great gadget guide on page 36 that will help you in the kitchen when the power is out. Happy cooking!
NO SHAME IN SEEKING HELP
I’m referring to the article about the father who murdered his sons (YOU, 19 October). No one could have predicted that a man would decide to kill his own kids and subsequently commit suicide.
Fathers are supposed to be chief protectors for their children. There’s nothing their mom, Nikita, could have done to save the boys from their psychotic father’s rage.
Many men struggle to admit to having depression. They still perceive men who cry for help as sissies.
The SA Depression and Anxiety Group is available, and anyone who has feelings of hopelessness, depression, anxiety and failure to cope can turn to them for help.
The first step to finding a solution when one is having suicidal thoughts is to admit they have a problem. The second one is to seek help.
May the boys’ souls rest in
PERCY MOFFAT, MAMELODI EAST
ME AND MY DOGS
Growing up, I never liked dogs. I never imagined myself keeping a dog as a pet. I thought of it as a bad omen, as at times it was believed to be in the rural areas.
Things have changed now. My love for dogs started with me getting one for security reasons. As time went on, I found myself falling in love with not only one but two lovely dogs. Now, Archie and Bella are my favourite friends.
I feed them, bathe them. I clean up after them. I take them to the park for a walks, I play with them. I talk to them.
They give so much love back to me and my family. They protect us. I can’t wait to become a granddad, as Bella is to be a mother.
GODFREY MALIBE, MIDDELBURG
BECKS THE LEGEND
The David and Victoria Beckham article (19 October 2023) led me to recall the special moments of Beckham’s career.