LIFE, FAITH & HOPE

We went touring in Namibia and did an eight-man kayaking trip with a guide on the Kunene River.

We had to negotiate some vicious rapids and the guide gave the crew a challenge: to jump off the kayak into the water, with the knowledge there are hands that are going to reach out to help you get back on again. I took the plunge.

At 58, I was the oldest of the crew and I can’t swim to save my life. I got in the kayak without fear, knowing we had safety jackets and a guide who knew the rapids.

If I’d stayed put and didn’t trust the guide, if I didn’t have faith in myself and let my fear of the kayak capsizing take over, I would see myself as someone who’s not capable of taking up a challenge in life and overcoming obstacles.

Reach out to those who can lead you through rough waters. There are times when we need support to survive. Don’t be the one who drowns in the rapids. There is hope, faith and life, so continue reaching out to helping hands that can lead you ashore. BEVERLEY LE GRANGE, KRAAIFONTEIN

SMALL GESTURES, BIG REWARDS

It’s the little things you do in life for others that count the most. I was standing in a queue at the supermarket and had quite a number of items in my basket. The man behind me was holding just two items so I gestured to him to come to stand in front of me.

He told me he was so grateful as he had to get to a meeting. He could not thank me enough. He waved as he left and we both smiled. When I left the supermarket I continued to smile. It was such a small gesture for such a big reward! HELAINE ROBINSON, EMAIL

SNAPSHOT IN TIME

Many people suffer from one phobia or another. Acrophobia, autophobia and claustrophobia, respectively, are the fear of heights, being alone and the fear of confined spaces

I don’t know if there’s even a term for my phobia. Actually, it’s more a dislike of being photographed than a fear of it.

For many years I hid behind the camera, happily capturing precious moments and filling dozens of albums. Then came the day my daughter, then about 12, pointed out that if anything should happen to me, they would not have a recent photo of their mother. So I reluctantly posed for a few pictures.

Fast-forward 40 years or so, and I won a family photoshoot. The young photographer was wonderful, especially after my children, now parents themselves, took her aside and told her that it was a bittersweet event for all of us as we were in the process of losing a loved one to cancer.

They also informed her of my intense dislike of the camera. She soon had us all totally relaxed and at ease as she got us to pose in a myriad different positions.

How fortunate we are today to have a beautiful family album comprising photos of grandparents, parents and grandchildren – something we can treasure forever. CAMERA-SHY, EMAIL

BIRTHDAY GALS

I’m 89 and live in Cape Town. My most vivid memory is of the day Princess Elizabeth turned 21. She was in Cape Town and came to see various youth groups at the Rosebank Showgrounds. I was a girl guide and in the guard of honour.

As she walked past me I was aching to tell her it was my birthday as well. Now each year on our birthdays I am tempted to write to her and remind her of that glorious sunny morning when she turned 21 and I turned 15.

I have not forgotten that day and I’m sure neither has she. We don’t have time on our side, so I had better get a move on! MORNA FRANKLIN, EMAIL

A GREAT EXAMPLE

I was deeply touched by the story of Nthabeleng Likotsi from the Free State

Spare a thought for those unsung heroes, who work endlessly caring for people, saving lives and at times just offering a listening ear.

I’ve been a nurse for 39 years and have seen it all during my career. But working through the pandemic in the “Covid tent” has been taxing on the mind, body and soul.

We’ve been nursing sick staff, people who are not only our colleagues but also our friends, family and confidants. Treating your own is heart-wrenching as the fear and anxiety can be seen on their faces. A comforting word eased the uncertainty. We are all in this together!

We are exhausted and burnt-out but the work must go on. Amid all this it was good to know that people care and understand our plight.

Recently, to our surprise, we were spoilt with a goodie bag. A Good Samaritan brought each staff member a bag filled with various items (water for dehydration; noodles for hunger; a chocolate bar for energy; soap to wash off the tiredness; a pen for writing our stories; and a special note saying, “Thank you. You are who recently became the first black woman in South Africa to own a mutual bank. What an achievement.

Nthabeleng started chasing her dream five years ago, knocking on one door after another asking for assistance, and with help from other women she eventually made it happen.

Even though her intention is to empower women I hope everyone, regardless of gender, will be encouraged by her story. Opportunities are there to be taken. I wish her all the best. LETLADI WA GA-MPHAHLELE, MARALALENG valuable and appreciated!”). This kind gesture made everyone tear up.

So today I want to thank the Good Samaritan that spared a thought for the unsung heroes. Thank you also to the medical staff who go beyond the call of duty and thank you to every South African doing their bit to win this fight. DEBBIE, EMAIL As a medical doctor and frontline worker I was shocked and saddened to see a group of revellers outside an emergency unit at a private hospital, bottles in hand, who were there for an alcohol-related incident on Good Friday, a religious holiday.

We doctors are battling to save lives – not only the lives of patients but our own as well. We also have families we need to protect.

All these people with no thought about tomorrow are out there drinking and now the numbers of Covid-related admissions are increasing again. What will it take for it to sink in before we sink as a country? DISGRUNTLED DOCTOR, SMS

FOR THE LOVE OF BOOKS

I was at a restaurant one Sunday and there were quite a few families there with kids. It was a warm, sunny day, there was plenty of seating outside and a sprawling lawn yet most of the children were on smartphones. Some of them were as young as three or four years old.

I was so pleased to see a boy of about seven lying on the grass absorbed in a book. It’s not a sight one sees often these days and it made we wonder what the world will look like in 20 years. OLD SCHOOL, EMAIL