Where there’s hope ...
Idon’t want to jinx it, but I’m feeling ever so slightly hopeful that things in general are getting a little better. As write this, the third wave is in decline, my husband and I are halfway vaccinated, and most of my extended family and close friends are fully vaccinated. We’re tentatively looking at flights to go and see family in Germany for Christmas, and we might leave our eldest behind there for the gap year that didn’t happen in 2021, after a 2020 matric year that is best never spoken about again.
I’m even considering a delayed birthday party later this month with all my friends, something I’ve never done. Yoga, cake and mimosas in the garden!
We’ve all been for proper haircuts, and the warmer weather is motivating us to get out of the house and into the park and streets again.
School sport is in full swing after the latest interruption, and it is my pleasure to drive a sweaty teenager around once more.
Eating out – always a treat – is back on the cards, and we feel less guilty about the expense than before as we feel good about supporting a local business! Maybe my mom who lives in Cape Town could even come and visit us in Joburg soon.
If none of these plans work out, that’s also fine. Our capacity to adapt and reschedule and just get on with things, has never been greater.
We’ve had lots of exercise in this type of flexibility after all. I’m sure you all know exactly what I mean, what with birth plans going out the window, the weirdness of drive-by baby showers and living through that energy-sucking combo of WFH and homeschooling. If that was you, I hope this issue is a treat for you and forms part of your relaxation and self-care. We have a host of articles on positivity this month, from how it helps with reframing your pregnancy worries to how it can strengthen your relationship and make your family bonds stronger. If there are things in your life or immediate future that are less than ideal, like an early birth, a tight baby budget or worries about a state hospital birth, rest assured that we have good advice to share on those too. Your attitude can have an enormous impact on the outcome of any situation. Believe it!
I can’t end this letter without a mention of our cute little cover baby winner. You can almost hear the giggles when you look at the photograph. Thank you to our sponsors – Baby City, Reuterina and Epimax – for spoiling Autumn Sheldon with great prizes. It breaks my heart that 2 999 children didn’t win, but thank you for sending in all those wonderful pictures. We could feel the love!
Hugs