Oupa turns 70

Birthdays are special milestones! For me, they don’t only mark the reminder of a birth-day, they are an opportunity for us to demonstrate in as many ways possible the love and appreciation we have for one another. Today I have a couple of special people in my life celebrating birthdays and two of them are ‘huge’ milestones. And Oupa is one of those – he turns 70 today!

Oupa - in his element - with his party hat and badge on!

 

Yesterday we spent our day, together with family and friends, celebrating him. The potjie party Ouma had organised for him during these past few months came together so very nicely and it was lovely!

The day started early – I put the 3 breads in the oven at about 6.30am and they were baked before breakfast. Directly after breakfast Oupa and his sons went over to the Lapa to start the potjiekos. Potjies are a stew, cooked slowly for a long time in a 3-legged cast-iron pot over a fire – and the guys did a fantastic job making some very delicious food! Dieter’s ostrich goulash potjie was a big hit and, I think, the best one!

While Ouma finished up at the Lapa and then collected one or two last things in town Zani and I were at home with the younger children cooking the rice and make the last of the dips and berry sauce for pudding. When Ouma and Dieter had showered and were ready to head to the Lapa we all left to go to the party. That’s when the rain started and it came down quite heavily! (Fortunately Ryan’s football game was cancelled due to the weather, so he was very relieved that he wouldn’t miss out at all!)

It was lovely to see family from up country that we haven’t seen since we’ve been back – and also family we have seen but who live too far away to visit with regularly. There were many tributes to Oupa from his sons, from friends, from family ….. a wonderful way to honour him and express our appreciation of him. Many made the effort to wear hats of some kind and the creativity was amazing! Some of us (me included!) didn’t wear hats, but we were in the minority.

It was a wonderfully, relaxing time which we spent eating, laughing, and capturing in pictures. I think one of my favourite highlights was when our boys accompanied the guests with their guitars as we sang ‘Happy Birthday to Oupa!’ – it was a very special moment! Diet had been very nervous about having to say his speech, but came across very relaxed and did incredibly well! All in all, it was a really great day and everything was wonderful!

Ethan on guitar - he strummed a strong G-chord when the right time came

Ryan (in his chosen party hat) loving the moment

Jed getting ready to play

Dieter making his speech

A small handful of family spent the later afternoon and evening with us at home, which was a real treat and a great time of connecting one-on-one. By the time we got into bed last night I was in over-drive and absolutely exhausted! I’m so glad we had today to relax and recover from all the excitement and activity! Another great weekend done and dusted, yeah!

Paul-Gustav, Lezani, Mauritz, Rizane, Ouma, Oupa, Aimee, Dieter, Ethan, me, Jed and Ryan: Oupa's crew

Oupa and 3 of his siblings together with their some of their children and grandchildren