November
The year: Hungry-to-see-with-wonder-and-gratitude-what-is-and-beyond
Korhaan Avenue – The Full Picture-story
Amanda du Plessis as Manda
Lorraine van Zweel as Sus
Johanna van Rooyen as Ma
Wim du Plessis as Hubby
Kirsty du Plessis as Doll
The six-day airport strike in Brussels has ended. With some anticipation of what was to come, Manda flew to South Africa. There was sadness in her heart…
What had to be a day of celebration, (her birthday), turned out to be a day on the road, heading for Tzaneen without her luggage. The red of the Flamboyant trees welcomed her as did the memories…
Ma at first looked but did not see. Then she cried for joy. They both did.
They spent time walking, just sitting together, had tea, knitted and colored in. Ma had no idea…
There was time to admire beautiful art along the way.
Sus said it was time to leave. After a 2-hour drive they reached their destination. More memories came flooding back… About the little doves under the orange tree. Ma called them her little chickens.
The bleeding heart plant under the lapa. The garden she loved so much.
The jars of orange marmalade which Pa made from the orange tree at the kitchen door.
Selling the handmade treasures, giving away familiar crockery and his favourite blue suit was painful. Manda and Sus treasured a yellow handwritten love letter, giggled about a funny sketch made of Pa at work.
Boxes and boxes were packed and taped while taping the memories to their hearts.
Manda and Sus were tired when the accident happened. Bubble wrap and box tape fixed it.
The truck arrived very early Monday morning.
While in Europe…
Hubby arranged for respite care for Doll as he was off to Lithuania to talk about listening, hearing and recognising the Father’s voice.
Manda and Sus celebrated being together with coffee and cake in a picturesque little village.
Tucked away in a box, they discovered the braids. Childhood memories came flooding back… Ma cut it off in 1968 and in 1969. They donated it to a friend’s daughter.
They cleaned. The white cactus flowers opened for one day, almost like remembering the beautiful with them. A final farewell.
Manda and Sus had a last meal at Ma and Pa’s favourite restaurant.
Their last morning on the ‘sonstoep’ (porch) where Pa used to read his Bible early mornings and they had their tea and rusks.
They left it the way Pa and Ma moved in 23 years ago. The key was handed over to strangers because 228 Korhaan Avenue was sold. Manda and Sus’ memories can never be sold.
They told Ma the full story. She looked puzzled, smiled…
“I have only 2 daughters,” she said. “And I love them very much.”
Manda was glad to be back home in Belgium but left a piece of her heart in Africa. Hubby and Doll were very glad to see her.
With a happy heart, Hubby left for Paris, France to spend time with youngsters on their journey of making memories and learning to live life to the full because their Father is so, so very good.
