"Ouerleiding" Reunion

Our children grew up in Kempton Park. We belonged to a parents' guidance group ("Ouerleiding"). Once a month we would get together and discuss parenting issues - usually at our house. We had a big sitting room and because I was a play group teacher, we had a big play room and lots of toys and outdoor equipment. Other mothers took turns to bring the cake!

Often we had "braais" (barbecues) together in the park on Sundays after church: everyone would bring meat, a salad and whatever and we all shared. The children had a great time playing together. We started when Dorette was a few months old and Thelwyn, Karin and Elrika 2 years. Through the years we became close friends and many of the children have remained friends too. The regular parents' guidance meetings came to an end when the children were teenagers. I think by then we had all realised that there is actually one one solution to all parenting problems: communication with God.

On Sunday we had a reunion at Elsa's house and it was wonderful to see our old friends again. Some we have not seen for a very long time! We shared so much in the past, babysitting one another's children, taking them to school or ballet, and having long discussions about the children on telephone!

I was so busy catching up on Sunday, that I mostly couldn't be bothered to take photos and now of course I am sorry: I haven't got everyone on a photo - not even my own daughters and the grandchildren or Karin's new baby Julian, but here are a few to remember the day by.

Francois and Elsa's house in the background. Thank you Elsa for organising the reunion. We really enjoyed it! In the foreground Christo S and Christo and Danie.

Having a chat in the shade: Annemarie and Hester and Elsa and Christo S. Annemarie and I went to university together. She is a teacher in a special school. Hester also had a playgroup until her husband Manie had a motorcycle accident in which he was paralysed. Today she teaches Gr 4 and Manie does the financial side of Petra College, a college for children's ministry. Elsa was also a teacher before she started doing the finances for an engineering firm.
Christo, Sanet and Sariette.

Christo, Danie, my previous neighbour, Brenda and Sanet. Sanet fell recently and dislocated her elbow. Ouch!

Yesteryear's children: Adriaan, Servaas and Hendrik. They played together and often went on Father - son camps. Pieter, Servaas's twin brother is in England. Servaas is getting married in February and Adriaan is married and Dad of the cutest little boy.

Some more "children" Liesl, Servaas's fiance and new to the crowd, Karin and Elrika. Karin gave birth to a 2nd son in November and Elrika is pregnant with her first. They have been Thelwyn's friends since they were two years old!