November 2010

The past few weeks have seen two deaths and a wedding in my immediate family.

First my twin brother, Basil died during the night in his sleep

Two weeks later, Kim got married and

a week later my late sister's son died.

RIP BASIL Although a sad time, a highlight at Basil's funeral was that Sherryn flew in from Auz and I got to see Jayne, Sherryn, Nicky & Johan. Significant for me, the old aunt because this may well be the last time I see them?

I also met the two new Durban boys - Tyrell & Jaden for the first time - babies now, but still a new generation.

WEDDING BELLS Kim is now 'Mrs' - I know not what.

Soon as she shares with me, I will let everyone know what her new surname is. Also, Troy is a nickname - so we will still all have to be introduced to the new MR KIM.

Even though the wedding seems sandwiched in the middle of two sad events, we know that your life together will be a wonderful & happy one as you serve the Lord together.

RIP 'STEVE' - OUBOET Yesterday was the memorial service for my nephew and this brought back so many memories. He was buried from the same church as was his mother only four years earlier. Who would've know?

'Steve's' death was preceded by a sudden illness - bad prognosis of cancer - and then a terrible suffering till death released him - all within a period of less than two months.

He really loved his children and was blessed to have had the time to enjoy two of his little grandchildren. May God give his widow & children peace.

However, we take heart that this is not the end........As Helen Steiner Rice once so aptly, said: 'The end of the road is sometimes just a bend in the road.........'

1. - albeit across the Language barrier

In conversation with Margaret Lancellas. She is relating how she will be acquiring a puppy dog soon :

"Yes, the pup is about 5 weeks old and almost ready to be 'spayed' from its mother."

She was probably thinking in Afrikaans (speen).

2. across the drinking barrier

In conversation with Basil Goodburn

"Hello B, what are you doing."

"I've just washed a little dog I'm looking after for .......... someone."

"Oh, what kind of dog is it?"

"It's one of those small, um what do you call them ..... 'Jack Daniels'."

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,

When 24 Hours in a day is not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, wordlessly, He picked up a very large

And empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar - he shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full...

They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full.

The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand.

The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things - God, family, children, health, friends, and favourite passions -- Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So... pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Play With your children.

Take time to get medical checkups.

Take your partner out to dinner.

Play another 18.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

"Take care of the golf balls first --the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked".

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

This site was especially created for those who remain behind. You will notice that I have not filled in the name of my paternal grandmother. This is simply because I do not know her name and there is no one left to ask.

It is for this reason I started the family site. People are more precious than anything and we mould and shape each other, so it's important to keep the connection. Also it is somehow comforting to know that we belong in our own little niche in the somewhere out there.

Yes, please consider it as your own and if you like you can do your own spin-off from it and yet remain connected. Please help me by supplying info and photos so that this site can be as complete as possible.

Beverley

Read this one in an article from Aish.com and since it's pertinent, thought I'd share:

A simple and boorish person who came from a distinguished lineage was arguing with a wise scholar who came from a non-distinguished family. The coarse ignoramus boasted about his illustrious ancestors. "I am a scion of a great people. Your ancestors are nothing compared to mine," he arrogantly boasted. The scholar retorted, "True, you come from a long line of great people. Unfortunately, the line ends with you. My family tree begins with me."

Your name may be:

• in this genealogy
• on the board of directors
• on a notice board
• floating on the internet etc., etc and etc.

But the most important place to find your name written would be in the Book of Life. Are you there?

THE SMORGASBORD OF LIFE1

MAIN COURSE : Joseph Henry Goodburn – more commonly know as Joe and Maria Elizabeth – known as Baby.

When I consider the family that has flowed from the union of my parents, Joe and Baby Goodburn in just 70 odd years, I am astounded by the intricate network and marvel at the lovely picture it forms. So far 113 people – 41 families and counting - what a tapestry!

Joe was the oldest and came from a family of four brothers, Mack, Ollie and Ben (also known as Snook).

Baby, was the oldest daughter from a family of three girls – Baby, San Bovey, Emmie van Rensburg; and two boys, Willie Grobler and Hans Grobler.

A God serving pair, Joe and Baby had six children, four boys and two girls; the youngest being twins, myself (Beverley) and brother Basil.

Looking back it is perfectly clear that my parents taught their children to walk in the ways of God and set a good example for each one of us. We never wanted for anything. There was always good food – nice fresh home-baked bread, lovely cakes and cookies. We each had enough clothes, mine mostly home made dresses and all of us hand knitted jerseys. We had a warm, clean home. Mom believed that a real home would always have a kettle on the boil and a clock ticking. We had a coal stove and there was always a kettle on the boil and a lovely warm nook to sit and visit – also nice and warm for making the kneaded dough rise.

Uncles and Aunts there were a plenty and family often came to visit and we in turn often went to visit them.

My lasting memory growing-up is of my father standing in our backyard under the big apricot tree and staring into the distance. Even now when I think of it and picture it in my minds eye, I manage to plop a tear from my eye. Later in life I saw that my father prayed regularly and now in retrospect I think that that was what he was doing then.

It could not have been easy raising so many children on the salary of one person but they were unselfishly devoted to their family so they never counted the cost. We always got pocket money and went on a long holiday once a year.

Dad would show cowboy movies to the residents of the mine compound on a Friday night and we would sometimes get to go along and then his helper, Temba would serve us specially baked peanuts. The raw, shelled peanuts were placed on a spade and roasted over an open fire. The taste is indescribable and trying to retrieve it, I yearn for those days.

Well so far this year has been quite a hectic one for me.

WEDDING: Delrae got married to Kevin on 13 January at Summer Place.

TRAVEL: I went to Israel for the first time, fulfilling a lifelong ambition to go on a spiritual journey. Will have to go again, this time sans the tour group. http://beverley-pekema.blogspot.com/2008/04/israel.html

BIRTH: Became a granny for the first time - Velia had a little girl named Bailee. Must admit I did have some practice previously with my step grandchildren and I do still love them dearly, but this is somehow different.

BIRTHDAY: Have a 70th birthday coming up for Piet. This nearly did not happen due to a massive heart attack and kidney failure just two weeks ago. PGP was miraculously healed after three weeks in intensive care - pacemakers, heart monitors etc. Instead of visiting ICU - will now be planning the big birthday coming up.

ANTICIPATION: Heard that I'm becoming a granny again! Delrae is pregnant (I'm sure it's a boy), so will have to wait to Oct-Nov to see.

WEDDING: Stephen's son Christopher is getting married on 22 November and it promises to be a hellave swell affair.