Personal Childhood Web

The four adults that helped to shape my life and with whom I had a special relationship with as a child:

My Granny

The first person that comes to my is my Grandmother.  My relationship with her was a very special, an exceptional one.  We had a close connection and I spent a lot of time with her.  I remember my parents going over seas with my brother and I, aged five, got to stay with my Granny for 6 weeks.  It remains to this day one of my fondest childhood memories.  

My granny was kind and loving to me, she was interested in me and taught me many things.  She taught me games and read me books, we baked together and I loved going with her to her favorite beach to swim in the icy water.  It was peaceful with my Gran and I felt extremely safe and loved.  If anything happened in my life I would phone my gran to tell her first.  As I grew up my relationship remained strong with my gran and she became my confidant.  We keep a close relationship and even when I was overseas I sent many letters and called regularly.  She was my rock and my soft place to fall.  She loved me unconditionally and I always felt that.  She died 3 years ago - and to this day I miss her.  I miss not being able to share things that she would have so appreciated, like this masters that I have started.  My gran made me feel important, she made me feel special and I loved her very much.

My mom

My mom and myself (baby on the left)

My mom was a very nurturing and protective mother. I was always perfectly dressed and groomed.  She made sure we had all that we needed and was fiercely protective of my bother and I.  At times as children we didn't appreciate it but now as an adult and a Mother I understand that feeling she had.
My mom taught me to see the beauty in nature and to appreciate our surroundings.  She taught me to be a strong and self assertive woman.  My mom would never take no for an answer and taught me to do the same - do not settle for less, persist till you get what you want.  My mom is very generous and a giving person and taught me to be the same way.  Humor was a great part of my upbringing and we laughed a lot in our home.

My Dad

My Dad was a hard worker and moved in many different circles.  We had an adventurous life with many different sorts of people from different walks of life around us.  My father exposed us to a side of South Africa that most white families didn't care to know or were afraid to be involved in.  My Dad was karate instructor and taught in the townships (areas where black people were made to live in the times of apartheid) he didn't see the division and didn't care to keep us separate from people of a different color. 

My dad and I having a swim

This was greatly to our advantage and I feel that it molded my brother and I into the adults we are today and influenced our careers and choices.  My dad made our family a colorful and exciting one.  My dad supported me in every choice i made for myself, even when it wasn't what he would have chosen for me.  He understands the way I think and I think that is because we are similar in many ways.  Like my dad, I too am a Global nomad, and he both appreciates and supports me lifestyle.  My dad made everything fun.  everyone would come to our house and he would make the Olympics games a Saturday ritual.  Dig up the garden to bury tins for our nine hole putting green, drawing a chalk tennis court of the road and playing water tennis to mention just a few.

 

      My brother, Frank, and myself with our dog Sandy.

 

My Auntie Maureen

My Auntie Maureen with myself (on her left) and my cousins

My moms younger sister was a constant person in my life.  She was always there and is still a very special person in my life.   I looked up to her as a little girl and loved being in her company.  I remember brushing her long beautiful hair. I was very special to her and knew it.  I felt safe with her and loved.  Even though she had a daughter six weeks younger than me she treated me equally and I was a second daughter to her.  My aunt was someone I felt I could tell anything to and she wouldn't be angry and I could trust her.  I remember the deep feeling of love I had for my aunt as a little girl.  To this day we remain close and share a very special adult relationship.