Inspiration

2. RABBEDOE.
This was me. I don't think I have ever grown up.

3. VIR JOU, LUELLA.
This poem is dedicated to my best friend who passed away at childbirth, about 22 years ago.

4. HOE WEET JY?
I fell in love and got married to the guy. If you feel like this, get your claws into him and don't let go. Your feelings might deepen and he could be your soul mate.

5. TWEE MAAL 'n WONDERWERK.
My gifts, my babies forever. I live for them.

6. THE FRIENDSHIP TEST.
After my friend passed away, I tried to make new friends, but no one could take her place.

7. A LESSON FROM THE PAST.
I listened, observed and experienced. There is no better teacher than life.

8. WORSTELING.
I lost my best friend, my father, my brother and my mother. They all left me. I closed up, preferred my own company, never talked about myself.

9. THY WILL BE DONE.
At some stage I realized that I had to trust someone. I did. Life had it's ups and downs, and the only one who could carry me through, was the Lord. He did, and that is why I am still alive today.

10. LIFE IS NOT FAIR.
I thought my life was a bit tough at time, but I discovered that some people's lives were tough all the time.

11. IS DAAR 'n ANTWOORD?
I thank God that I could be there for my children, and that they have a father who holds the reigns. We, as parents, are not perfect, but we try our best.

12. GENADE.
Is this really happening? Yes, it is. Old people do not deserve being left by themselves, but I guess their children and grandchildren have the own lives to live. It could happen to me, to you.

13. 'n NUWE DAG.
A few years ago I fell ill, and the doctors discovered I was born with a dysfunctional kidney. I had to have it removed, and thanks to God, I recovered fully. That was a wake-up call. Time to join the rest of the world out there. You only live once. Enjoy.

14. MY OASE - DIE EIKESTAD.
No better place than Stellenbosch. That is where my memories of Luella comes alive. I love this town.

15. VELVET RAPTURE
What a voice.

16. INTERLUDE.
Just to take your attention from me and my life.

17. DEAR SOMEONE.
To those who long to have their own child: My prayers are that you may one day have a child of your own. If not your own biological child, I hope you will find it in your heart to take pity on a little one who has no parents.

18. ONE BACHELOR SAVED.
Some people talk about it, some people read about it, some people do it. Then you get people like me who write about it. What do you do?

19. VERBY.
Am I able to portray other people's feelings and emotions? I think so. Being a very sensitive, emotional person, I hurt very easily, and because I have a problem with the spoken word, the best way to express myself is through the written word. I have seen, heard and experienced so much in my 45 years, I can certainly relate to the sadness someone feels when they lose a loved one. I hope I'm doing it right when I write.

20. YOU'RE NOT HERE.
To all you teenagers and young lovers out there: Been there, done that. It will pass. Go on and search some more. You will find someone new, and you know what, it just get better, but do not let it get bad.

21. LET ME KNOW.
1) If you care for someone, tell them. Be honest about your feelings. Don't keep that person in the dark. If you cannot love that person, make a clean break. Would you like to be at the receiving end?
2) To hope, is to live in a dream world. To know is reality, and reality forces one to deal with the hurt caused by rejection. Once you have dealt with it, you will be able to live with it.
3) You cannot force someone to love you, but there is no problem with having a special place in your heart, for a special person.
4) It's true. It is better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.

22. MY BLESSING, MY LOVE.
Have you ever read 1 Korinthians 13?
This is it. Once in a lifetime. If you are fortunate enough to have it, treasure it.
If you have to let go, do it, but remember: you have experienced something so rare, it is worth all the pain. From now on the light of love will shine through you, to each and every person, friend or foe, who will ever cross your path. You will never be the same - ever again.

23. ONE MORE CHANCE.
If the answer is yes, make this an unforgettable event. If the answer is no, hold on tight to those memories. If you can still be friends, consider yourself blessed. Keep in touch with each other, but make sure the person really needs or wants you in her/his life. If she/he does not make an effort to contact you, there are probably more important things or people to attend to. Or maybe there is just no room for you in her/his life. Bow out gracefully.

24. JOU SWAKHEID, MY KRAG.
I have spoken to quite a number of women who feel she same. Most of us women are forced to become prisoners of circumstance, for the sake of their children. They have to hold the fort whilst the husbands go out and party. Being working mothers, it is tough on us. You come home in the evening after a hard days work, hubby enters and his food is on the table, kids are ready for bed, you have to clean the kitchen after supper, clean up after husband and kids, slip into something comfy so hubby can have a good time in bed. By that time you are so exhausted, all you want is for him to get done, so you can roll onto your stomach and go to sleep.

Week-end. You turn your house inside out and upside down, do the washing, ironing, shopping, etc., etc. At first you enjoy playing house, but as you get older you tire more easily. You also look at other women who are smartly dressed, have maids to do most of the housework, grand mansions, and here you are, still waiting and hoping that your dreams may come true. O.k. You said yes, so keep quiet and do what you are supposed to do.
Hello! Have you noticed that I am also a human being? Don't you have a pair of strong hands to help me with the housework? Do you ever notice that I also have a wage slip? Girls, accept it, you're married with children, but do not allow anyone to walk over you. If you must, let sleeping dogs lie. Allow them to party and watch sports on Saturdays, but do not join them. Get up, shoulders back, head held high, get a new wardrobe or hairstyle. Round up your girlfriends, take a week-end or two and leave the men to take care of themselves. They can do it. Remember, you have a life of your own. Live it before you reach the ripe old age of forty. People of forty-plus are almost grandparents, and once those little ones appear, it's bringing up children all over again. And babes, now you do the walking over.

25. ADIEU.
You meet this nice guy, you fall for him, he likes you very much, you go on a few dates and then: SILENCE.

26. TAKEN DOWN.
Then he meets someone, he falls for her, she likes him very much, they go on a few dates and then: PAYBACK.

27. ONE NIGHT, TO LAY DOWN MY CROSS.
Just another story? No. This is reality. There are many young people out there who suffer from cancer, who fall in love, and have dreams of their own. Unfortunately those dreams will never come true.

28. STRAIGHT TALK. (Not in my collection)
Dedicated to a friend. Extremely stubborn. I wish he would heed my warnings.

Butterfly.