7. The family i choose.

Your friends become your family, and in that case, I have a fabulous family, a great big one! Please know that I am not begrudging my blood family, most of which are marvellously chatty, open people who make me laugh and are there when I need them! Some of them leave a lot to be desired, and I must say, I do find myself wishing that blood did not connect us.

However, something has to be said for the family you choose, those friends of yours that become so close that they do in fact share your blood.

My mother Chelsea, is always there – the one who calls me on a Monday evening to find out how I am, her voice tells me she misses me as much as I do her. When my mum and I get together, we get deep. We discuss everything, and often find out it’s the next day and the twins are late for school – we get so caught up we hardly notice. Not that the twins, Andrew and Grant care too much. They are forever in trouble with their teachers, because they’ve asked them to “lick my wet nest” or something of that nature. Our understanding Mother never gets them into trouble. I must say my best moments in life have come from these two and their wicked shenanigans’. If I’m down, one of the two monsters will cheer me up. 

Be it, posting ridiculous “ Public masturbation” articles on my facebook wall, or sending links about “Gillian and Keith”, spying on my neighbours, climbing onto my dashboard singing a Britney Spears song, or screaming “Trata!” to every person in Scrumpy Jack’s. They get the job done!

My aunty Kim and I have only recently re-connected, and I’ve loved it. I used to think she didn’t want to get to know me anymore, and felt she was rather hard. Yet, the more I get to know her, she shows a genuine softness and I think when I’m finished, I’ll find that she was jelly all along. Her husband, my gentle uncle Bongi, comes and goes. But when he does come around it’s as if I have completely forgotten how long he’s been away for. We just pick up where we left off. I love that. I suppose this applies to my father, Shedrin too, except he’s more-so in the picture. He is like a dad should be, always got my back. He loves me, and cares very deeply for me, and will always be there to protect me. This feeling is mutual. Jeanne is my dad’s new wife and although we are far away from each other, we have kept exceptionally close. I look forward to her visits, where we can natter into the wee hours, always accompanied with loads of laughter. Sandra is my aunty on my dad’s side; she lives in an ashram and is very spiritual. She’s constantly showing me how wise she is, the best advice always comes from her. My younger sister, Beni and I share almost everything. Chat, laugh, shout, fight, cry and dance. I miss her. 

Stacey is my naughty cousin, who often gets me into trouble and visa versa. The naughty mess aside, we love each other dearly and I could not imagine my life without her! My second cousin Simon is a darling man who always looks at the situation with a maturity and understanding beyond his years, and at the same time can play with you like a two year old! My darling older sister Bar, makes me laugh like no one else can, has got an amazing sense of humour and a heart to match Ghandi’s.  My brother in law Riyaan, is a dear friend and life wouldn't be the same without our afternoon sessions. Be it our Long Island one's or coffee filled Modern Family one's, i cant imagine life without them!

Finally, my twin sister Nicol has been by my side my whole life. She always knows where my stuff is and never disappoints in what to say. We have the perfect balance of things in common. We are alike in so many ways, in that we like to do the same things, same tastes in food and people, places and ideas. Yet we are different too, which makes the relationship interesting as we bring different styles and views to the table. Same same, but different..


Of course there are other cousins, and favourite teachers from school who I should be adding as well, Otto you know I’m talking about you! ;) But you catch my drift. I am lucky, I love my family. 

We get so close we graze skin.