4th of July 1957.
When the lightning strikes aligned and the thunder applauded, a woman of woman was born to this world. I am biased, that is true, but you are to allow me this luxury, I am certain. You see, this woman, wasn’t just any ordinary woman, no, this is my Mom.
This extraordinary woman, gave me hope, a chance, and a better than yesterday constantly. She serves as inspiration, guide, mentor and all round influence of my daily life, rarely ever caught with her pants down…and then only whenever someone else opens the gate and you are a few minutes early.
Single motherhood is not for sissy’s, and single motherhood for me, takes royalty on a steed. Because as intolerable and insufferable only a single child, boy, raised partly on a farm, can be, so patient, caring and loving was my mom.
We had little growing up, but I can certainly not tell you much about that, because with all the little around, I had every little my Mom could afford for me, and I had, still have, an abundance of non-worldly possessions. Time. Love. Fighting spirit. Non-judgmental. Protective. Supportive. Opportunist. Selflessness. Oh so many, many more. This woman here, she gave me the meaning of life. Never was there a day that I did not think I can, because I was from an impoverished background or some other typical excuse we give ourselves. Life. True, wanted, growing life.
And then she is born on the 4th of July of all days! What a rockstar. Independence day. And what an independent woman she is, I still admire her for this wonderful quality. She showcases strength and endurance constantly. Now in her later days of life, ( I was told it is rude to refer to mountain ranges in the same age category ) it is like her resoluteness has only strengthened. Honed through vigorous non stop giving to all her children, adult children, varsity going age, and grandchildren. Oh and cousins and who ever else needs some mothering. ( Looking at you Jan ) She has grown in the only direction I could envision her ever going. Successful, loved, respected and adored.
Well then, to my Mother, a letter from my deepest happy heart:
My liefste Moekie,
So op hierdie dag van vandag, jou verjaarsdag van alle dae, en waar ons weereens nie langs mekaar kan sit nie, maar waar ek weereens toegelaat is om die beste vir my en myne te gaan soek, wil ek net graag se, Ek is lief vir jou.
Jy is en bly my grootste inspirasie, voorbeeld, hartspunt, vrede en rus plek waneer ek sukkel. Dankie vir jou. Dankie vir Jou, die aller beste Ma, ooit.
Ek hoop jy word baie bederf, vol foot massages en drukkies en koek en ballonne en wat ook al hierdie spesiale dag, nog spesialer sal maak.
Lekker verjaar Moekie, mag jy regtig nog baie saam met ons vier.
Liefde (Love you later, soos Jana sal se)
Jou seun,
Henk
Let me close with a few of the accolades of this remarkable woman’s journey so far:
Alta Beens, nee Botha, from cover page model, athletic record setter, single-mother working class with an insatiable desire for better, thus studying part time at night, to successful and valued IT professional working for the leading tech company of those days, SITA, and current rental unit owner and retired but oh so busy housewife, your business success is clear and was inevitable. And from middle daughter of a simple family background full of heart, support and endurance, all the way through to becoming the caring and loving grandmother you are, your journey has been an inspiration, a story worth telling, and a integral part of my aspirations. You are a trend setter and go getter. You continue to make us your priority, and we will continue down a path of success, one which you showed us is possible, to honor this gift.
Amor fati, better than yesterday was yours by design…