Part 3: Lets move.
I had every intention of writing part 3 and part 4 a month ago already...but then life threw me this amazing curve ball.
I will get back to that soon, but let me get back to the day we moved.
One of my dearest, bravest friends, Mandy, had the job to fetch the kids and I and take us to the airport. At 5 am. It was probably one of the top 5 most emotional moments of my life. Everything was slow motion: it was dark, misty...and I was walking towards the gate of our first house that we had ever bought...my dream home...for the very last time. I remember the gate opening and closing, I remember getting into the Jeep. I remember trying So hard not to cry. I remember telling myself over and over that this was what I, we, wanted. I remember walking up to the check in counter praying to God they would let us on the plane with 8 bags-those big plastic zip type, PEP bags- plus a pram and baby seat. I am convinced they gave us one look and just let it slide.
When we got to Cape Town International, I had a huge fight with security who wouldn’t help me get my stuff off the conveyor belt- but even worse, wouldn’t let me just give the kids to my in laws so I could use both my arms and hands to gather all our stuff. Right there I broke down. It was too much. I threw a scene- I imagine the type of scene Charlise Theron threw when she was discovered.
Once, safely in Melkbos, I got into bed and slept the rest of the day. We made it.
Things are a bit of a blur from then on. Loedi arrived sometime during that week, I met my team at work- learned that they were the A team in the country and that they didn’t accept second place. That already freaked me out- I was not used to that. I was moved around so many times in Johannesburg – and here these guys were together for like more than a decade, wanting to be crowned in September, making it official. My boss was absolutely amazing too. I learned from her very quickly.
Hunter had a school and Storm a day mother. I had a gym to go to in every town that I would work in. Also- we had a few churches to choose from and all my best friends stayed here. Perfect? No.
The sun came up at 7 30 am and set at 5 30 pm. I was completely thrown with this. My calls were about 45km from Melkbos into peak traffic. And suddenly- Storm would wake every two hours instead of the usual 4 hours.
I started leaving the house at 5am so that I could gym in either Kenilworth, Constantia or Steenberg before traffic. That lasted a week, because come 1pm- all I wanted to do was sleep. My diet went out the door ,because I became so down that I just comfort ate as I went along. Loedi started irritating me and I started irritating him, because he was trying to get a business off the ground and had band obligations, while I nagged that I needed him. Then my boss announced she was immigrating. Then I realised that even though my best friends were in Cape town- they could might as well been living in Durban because everyone was just too busy (me included), and as I mentioned the sun came up late, set early and Storm wasn't sleeping, so I would count the seconds until 7pm and then get into bed so I could sleep while Loedi watches/listens out for Storm until 11pm if he could even manage. And the big fat cherry on the top: the traffic. This traffic is unlike anything you've ever seen. It can literally cause you to break down and cry...its ruthless...heartless. You had to leave at 5:30am, or rather wait until 9am. Afternoons: 3pm or 7pm. Maybe.
Yes, we had the mountain, we had the sea ,we had the view- but Loedi and I didn’t have each other, we didn’t have peace, we couldn’t get up on Sundays to go to church, 25km away, and we didn’t have our own place.
But suddenly things were looking up when my boss told us that her parents were moving and that they had a town house in a secure estate, close to everything. We had a look that same day and the place spoke to us immediately. We somehow gathered a deposit and first month rent, and signed the papers.
Next I had to find a school for the kids. I had become so spoiled in Roodekrans, with Denise / Klapperhandjies being right across the road from us- and it not only being a school, but I believe, a friendship. I will never really be able to thank Denise and her staff for all they did.
But yes, we were here in Cape Town now and needed new schools.
I Googled, as I always do- and found a farm school called Clever Cats- and I just Knew that that was the place where Hunter had to go. After calling and making an appointment, it was also established that not only was there space for Hunter, but also for Storm at the baby school, apparently 7/8km away from Clever Cats.
I met the GM at this baby school and I was happy. She then said that I should follow her to Clever cats. I followed her, and as we drove I noticed that we were in the street of our future home. Suddenly we passed our home and then she stopped and turned right. In front of me I read : CLEVER CATS.
It couldn't be.
I jumped out of my car and shouted at her: “DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?” She was very confused as I explained to her that never in a million years I imagined that I would find Hunter a school, once again outside our doorstep. Ive come to know the lady as Michelle now, and even though she's no Denise, Hunter loves her and her 5 year old daughter, Misha. The one time Michelle dropped Hunter off at home and before we knew it, Hunter and Misha proceeded with carrying Leon, our Dashy around- one with the head and the other with the backside. It was the funniest thing we had ever seen.
Soon, we were all packed and ready to move. Finally our things were moved from storage to Durbanville and our lives could be build from scratch.
But as you know: Nothing is Ever uncomplicated when it comes to the van Renens.
