Love Reigns

I woke up this morning reminiscing about what this season was like when I was a younger. My mother gave this season its own meaning for me. She celebrated it, but also knew how to keep it to a level where it was not all consuming.

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Before December hit my mum would have bought as many o the books that we would need for school the following year. I remember her sending me to Mbeu Bookshop with my school list for them to confirm the books they had and the costs the day after my school results came out. Next was if your school had uniform how is that looking? She then proceeded to buy what needed to preplace including stationary. If there were things not available, she would make a trip to the next town which was 75 kms away and if she still needed more things, she would travel another 100 kilometres for supplies including stationery. All this needed to be completed by mid-November. Then the November paycheque would be used for Christmas clothes.

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December she would ask us to check the Christmas tree and ornaments so that those could be replaced if needs be. By the first weekend of December schools would officially schools would close then relatives would start pouring in. In the end we may be 10 to 15 children in the house. She would take the time to teach whoever would brave it chess. The faint hearted you were left for other games like cards and so on. She did not fail to remind us of Jesus being the reason for the season. She emphasised how we needed to love and give to others. When I was older, some days were spent labouring over the oven baking cakes and biscuits and scones. She was an amazing baker with books and books of handwritten recipes. Then you would be sent from house to house to deliver the treats. This was community, and often later that day or week children from those different houses would also bring something. Those families not big on baking would bring fruits or vegetables from their gardens, or store-bought treats.

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My dad was the fruit purchaser, no easy feet this was. This was the time to enjoy mangoes we had 6 trees in the garden, so we just had to sit under there and enjoy. He was on the hunt for litchis both wild and home grown. Papaws, bananas you catch my drift. The consequences were not always pleasant, stomach aches and so one but that did not stop the festivities. This was time for family. This was also time to spring clean the house curtains were brought down and washed carpets washed.

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The house was a hive of activity, looking back it was a lot of work but the best fun because there was so much love. We got to put aide so many cares of the world and just focus and drink in the love we had for each other. I realise that it was not about the activities alone it was about bringing the charge of love one another as I have loved you to the fore. In their own special way, my parents taught us about wise budgeting (buying school supplies before Christmas and also putting aside money for school fees) sharing everything we had to those that came to our house (although at times it felt like an invasion). They taught us community because many homes could not wait to receive Mrs Rambau’s famous scones.

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A rich legacy filled with love in this somewhat challenging world. As a pen this article I am wondering where it all went how did it disappear from our lives? My elder Sister is the one person that still carries this spirit in her and this year I am not going to spend this season with her and there is a little sadness in my heart, but I am determined to try and see how I can build a legacy where I am. Let love reign that what the season means to me. I thank God for my memories they were not perfect but very rich and loving and at times I did not appreciate them as much as I should have. What do they say, “Hindsight is 2020 vision” meaning you see clearly once something has happened.

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Enjoy this season and make it your own however possible it may be, it is not about getting things, but about how you share what you have with those you love.

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This is the last article from us for the year. May you all have a beautiful festive season and spread love around you and expect to receive love in return. Unwind and let love in, it is al around you, just look up.

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Should you need support this season reach out to us [email protected] or [email protected] when you are ready to move to the next level and we can discuss the tailored Coaching and or training Package for you.

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Coach Mulalo

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