3 Generations

I had lunch today with my sister, Jen, her 3 kids - Yvonne, Nadia and Adrian, her grand-daughters Crystal and Barrie, and my son, Sihle. It was such a special time - sharing a meal, holding the baby, playing with Crystal and talking - and talking!

I was so glad to have Sihle with me - at least one of my kids was with me. It was so good to see Jen with all her family, but I missed my girls and Kev. I kept thinking of early days when they were all little - when the girls were 5, 4, 3, 2 and Adrian was a baby. Now the girls are 31, 30, 29 and 29 (Nadia just had a birthday) and Adrian is a big, grownup 27. The fmily has grown - there's Sihle, Kevin, Ray, Riaan and Brad, Crystal and Barrie. And at the other end, Mom and Dad are no longer with us. How Dad loved his grandchildren! How Mom loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Through all the changes, Jen and I are the constant. Sisters - not always good friends because we were different and both competing for the same attention from parents we adored, but as we have grown older, more and more alike and closer and closer. I don't need to see Jen often (in fact, I hardly see her despite living in the same town), but I know I can trust her 100% to be there for me, to love and support me. And I will do the same for her.

Right now, we are at the top of the 3 generations - it feels so strange to be the old ones, the wise!! ones, and to know that our genes carry on through the lives of our children.

Yesterday was special - next time Nic and Ray are out, we need to get a picture of our 3 generations all together.