Allow me to start this post by saying that, while I love animals and think that they are beautiful, I am nervous to be in close proximity to them because the feel of their bodies weird me out. But I am also willing to try new things so our visits to the ostrich farm and the camel rides in Oudtshoorn as well
as the Elephant Sanctuary in Knysna were wonderful experiences for me. It was actually the second time I’d visited the Elephant Sanctuary and it was very special for me to walk with Marula and have Thandi, who I walked with six years ago follow behind. We’d visited with my father in law before he passed away so it was a special place for me to be at again.
Holidays are so good for the soul. I’m a home body and a creature of habit but there’s something really special about being in a new place. When I travel I’m always fascinated by the landscape, the buildings and the people. It’s fascinating that even travelling a few hours outside of Cape Town introduces one to different cultures and ways of doing things. I spend a lot of time being still and taking in all that’s around me.
This trip was with a group of people from my work. I’ve been privileged enough to travel twice with work over the last year and am so grateful for the experiences. I’ve had to leave my girls behind both times and was extremely anxious to do so; Wes is always so great at looking after them and he and my mother in law do a good job of keeping the girls happy but my mommy heart struggles to leave them. More so, I get anxious to be reunited with them. Despite all that I’m actually able to really be present when I’m away and have learnt to shed the guilt, knowing that it’s a short time and that filling my cup makes me a better mom.
Travelling fills my cup! When times were tough for my family I would never have imagined that I would be blessed to travel both locally and abroad as I have. I think it’s so valuable as seeing different people shows us that there are many different and unique ways to do things and that our little corner in the world is just that, so little in the grand scheme of things. I love knowing that there’s so much to learn and experience from others.
I hope that you get to find ways to rest and ways to fill your cup in the last bits of summer. While we may not always have the opportunity to go away, visiting local farmers, restaurants, beaches, forests, etc. can do wonders for the soul.
I’m not one for big change so let’s say that a holiday is as good as a holiday!
Until my next post,
Bronny
