THUNDERSTORMS AND RAINBOWS

I believe that some of the Johannesburg evenings are the most beautiful in the world!

The unbearable heat during our summer days often result in the most phenomenal cloud formations and these are presented as artworks in the sky. These angry storms build up and announce themselves with resonant thunder and widespread lightning. Later when the storm has dropped all its cargo, the thunder still rumbles away into the night. The storms can be so volatile but when they are over they offer us some of the most magnificent rainbows.

This afternoon was one of those thunderous times but as I waited for the storm to dissipate, I was sure that it was about to reveal one of its awesome rainbows. I grabbed my camera and went in search. Somehow, it eluded me and despite me driving around the neighbourhood for the perfect picture, I came home emptyhanded. But I was happy that I had searched - I knew it was there, but I just couldn't see it!

The idea of the importance of the 'Rainbow' in our lives was brought home to me this morning.
I was on one of my shopping rounds and in one shop I stopped to chat to the cashier. I've been to that shop before, so she recognised me. We share common ground in that our children have attended the same school. During our conversation, she delivered a profound statement:

"A MOTHER IS ONLY AS HAPPY AS HER UNHAPPIEST CHILD!"

This got me thinking. Yes, we do, indeed worry about our children. This concern is an inate part of parenthood and continues throughout life. My own mom - 86yrs - still pains over the troubles of her offspring, sometimes to the point where she is literally ill with worry. Perhaps this state of 'worry' is instinctive, but it then sets off a process of us worrying about her. The following statement then becomes true:

"CHILDREN ARE AFFECTED BY THE HAPPINESS OF THEIR PARENTS!"

Does this not then mean that an unhappy parental disposition is the trigger to a viscious negative spiral? If this is indeed so, then consider our responsibility, as adults, for our own happiness. Maybe by doing things that aid our own goal to 'happiness' we are triggering the spiral upwards and therefore giving a positive influence on our children.

Back to the thunderstorms and the search for the rainbow in our lives....

Perhaps the answer is really to acknowledge the storms in our lives, but to make an effort to look for the rainbows . Our search for the rainbow might elude us but take heart - it is there! It is like the stormy cloud; if we wait long enough, the rainbow will reveal itself. Maybe too; the rainbow holds the promise of our ability to impart happiness to our children. By focussing on the vision of a better place in our lives we allow others access to our own 'happiness' and the spiral to positivity is put into action.

So I encourage you; not to focus on the storms, but to go ahead and

SEARCH FOR THE RAINBOW IN YOUR LIFE!

POEM FOR THE GRIEVING

I am aware that there are a number of people around me who are dealing with the deaths of loved ones. I would like to share a poem with you; It had special meaning to me after my own fathed died in 1998:

Though I am dead, grieve not for me with tears.
Think not of death with sorrowing and fears.
I am so near that every tear you shead
touches and tortures me,
though you think me dead.

But when you laugh and sing in glad delight;
my soul is lifted to the Light.
Laugh and be glad with me for all that life is giving
And I, though dead, will share your joy in living
(ANON)

I pray that your day will be filled with strength, comfort and piece. With love, CAM

ROBZ' POEM TO GRANNY

I post this special poem, with my daughter, Robyn's permission. It was written by her, in memory of her granny, Jessie Moll, who passed away in 1997 after a brave fight against cancer.

This poem was on Jessie's memorial packet which was placed, together with many other lit-up packets, around the walking track at the Cancer relay at Westridge High School last night.

I'll never forget the way you hugged,
or the way you held my hand.
I'll never forget the way you laughed,
Despite things grave at hand
I remember you patience,
The glow in your eyes.
I remember the soap bubbles,
And catching butterflies,
the wedding in the garden,
begging for 'sweety time',
the time you spent with me, though short
made my life truly sublime.

I remember the smile
through the oxygen mask,
You telling me to be strong,
the way you told me to trust in God
the way you had all along.
So Granny, I miss you, I always will,
You held a special place in my heart
and while you may have died long ago,
I know from your love,
I'll never be truly apart...

Your granddaughter, Robz xox