Morning Mirror Edition 159 - 17/10/2005




In this edition

Smalls



WAITING FOR RAIN - THE NATIONAL OCCUPATION ......


WAITING FOR RAIN .....

Africans.......

It matters not to me who governs the country I live in as long as I am free to earn a living and raise my children in a way that reflects the true pulse of life as I feel it.

I use the term pulse because for those that have lived and loved in Africa will understand the pulse I speak of...

It is the pulse that pumps through your veins in October / November when the dark thunder clouds gather in the sky......... and the first echoes of the Great African skies start to rumble...........

the thunder and lightning in those first few weeks that rumble on for weeks upon weeks ......

with the promise of rain from the heavens.

ALL Africans of all races look to the skies during these first weeks of the month ...

we are united in one cause ................. the promise of rain!!!!

The animals are thirsty and dying ................ the crops planted in faith wilt under the tremendous heat and oppression from the October sun ...............

and the hearts of men, women, and children are filled with hope ............

that the sky will open up and empty her precious cargo onto our crops and animals ......

A time when superstitions and faith battle in the hearts of man as the promise of rain looms in the sky.....

"Is it coming?"...........

We wake in the morning and walk outside....... our hearts race as we smell the earth that has been wet during the night............that smell of dry bush and rain mixed together...........

the fragrance of our beloved African bush drinking its fill from the heavens............

We look up at the sky to see where the rain came from.......... and where it is falling...........

and we see a black cloud in the distance dropping a trail of cargo on the horizon.............

the morning sunrise lighting up the trail is glorious pinks, and violets, reds and yellows..................

The excitement of these early rains fills my soul with the promise of life .........

In those special moments all thoughts of bad governance, racism, and poverty seem to disappear for an instant and I can see through the window of my fears ........

I can see the future of Africans at peace with themselves ....

and at peace with their land

balanced and focused on what is important ....

Oh how I wish we could all remain in that state............... that state of expectancy.............

As the first rains build in the sky............. Are we going to have another year of drought?.....or are we going to starve this year?

Oh how I wish we could all remain in that state of expectancy when we look at those skies............... a state where our minds picture the green shoots that are coming, the water in the veld, the lush crops growing, the fat animals that have had their fil l......

Like all Countries.......... Africa has its seasons.........

sometimes the rain falls............ and sometimes it doesn't.

But the pulse of life remains the same.............. the pulse of vulnerability and humility is very quickly stamped into the hearts of all Africans. It is this vulnerability and humility I believe that binds us together......... causes us to unite in thought at that special time of year..............

when the heavens gather a promise of good things to come............

I believe.. I was born in Africa ....... to be an African.

My ancestors were born in Scotland ............. and they were Scotsman.

So here I sit on this October morning ....... the African with Scots blood...........

In Africa where he belongs.......

Enjoying the pulse building once more in his soul.....as the mass consciousness of all Africans starts to stir.............. looking to the heavens......... with expectancy and anticipation......... of good things to come!!!!

I have planted my seeds ....... and look forward to the harvest.............

As for overseas ..

A few weeks ago ............. I asked a friend to take of her shoes ....... imprint her feet in the sand ........... draw a heart around her feet.............

and a circle around the heart.............

She could not do this right away ......... because she could not find any sand close by .............

And I cried.............

anon


CONDOLENCES

With Deepest Sympathy to the families of the following




SYMPATHY MESSAGES


THE LATE WILLEM HURN
It is with sad regret that the family of the late Bill (Willie) Hurn inform all friends that Bill passed away in South Africa on 1 October 2005 after a long and painful battle with cancer. Bill will be so fondly remembered by his fellow Lions, residents of Coronation Park, members of the Verity Amm Centre, the Dutch Reformed Church community and all those whose hearts he touched with his loving, calm, wise and generous nature. His funeral was held in South Africa on 5 October but there will be a memorial service in Bulawayo at a date to be advised. His wife Ria will be back home on 16 October and thanks all family and friends for their loving support .
email address marion@netconnect.co.zw


TIDBITS


TIDBITS

"The block of granite which was an
obstacle in the path of the weak
Becomes a stepping stone in the path
of the strong."
- Thomas Carlyle -




"Any fact facing us is not as important
as our attitude toward it,
for that determines our success or failure."
- Norman Vincent Peale -


"The greatest thing in this world
is not so much where we are,
but in what direction we are moving."
- Oliver Windell Holmes -


In the words of Robin Auld,
"When all is said and done, an African's got to have some sun "
God bless Africa !

Rob and Jen Moore - California


Item from "The Zimbabwean".
Two recent court cases have earned the attention of newspaper readers in Zimbabwe. One person was fined $10,000,000 for not having a TV licence. Another was released on bail for $5,000,000 after being arrested for murder.
The moral of this Zimbabwean story: If you do not have a TV licence and the inspector comes round, kill him. You will save $5,000,000.




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