A priceless gift

Mimi Swart of Postmasburg writes Here in the far Northern Cape, my birthday ritual usually involves phone calls from family spread across the country and, at most, cake and tea for friends who may show up.

But when I reached an important milestone recently – I turned 70! – I received one surprise after another: all my sisters and my brother showed up with their spouses, we ate together in a fancy restaurant, and then they handed me a book containing lovely photos, as well as anecdotes about my life. I had such a lump in my throat. I was told another special gift would be delivered later as “it still needed some finishing touches”...

When the parcel arrived, it was a quilt made with squares created by each member of my family – men, women and children; young and old. Birds, dogs, flowers and delicate designs that are close to my heart were captured on the fabric – even our old Citroën DS 5 with its old license plate, CEV 650!

A priceless gift that will remind me of my precious family every time I use it.