Christmas 2009

Preparations are full-steam ahead in most homes, as Christmas 2009 approaches. Hopefully, these celebrations will bring an end to the financial dilemmas many have faced this past year.

Our family has had a busy year and had to face a few changes and challenges.

Peter has continued to do a lot of traveling. With the new Installation Regulations gazetted this year, he has been invited to give a number of lectures and workshops on the new laws. I have had the opportunity to travel with him from time to time and we have seen some parts of the Western Cape which we do not get to visit often enough!

Roelene successfully pasted the UNISA exams which she wrote this year. She is studying for a degree in Foundation Phase Education. In November, she was blessed with a trip to Malaysia, where she attended a Seminar for Worship Leaders. Included in the trip were a few days of sight-seeing. This was quite an experience for her. Thankfully, with today’s technology, she was in constant contact with us via sms and therefore did not feel homesick.

Simon is continuing to progress through his university studies. In July, he moved out of our house, into a building at our offices, which he is sharing with a friend. He is enjoying his new found freedom and independence, although he still has most evening and weekend meals with us, and of course, Mom still does his laundry. His move has also been beneficial in that there is someone at the business property after hours.

The genealogy research has continued slowly with few leads resulting in anything useable. To date, we have not been able to trace any descendants of the Woods brothers, Harold and Reg.

Thanks to those who have sent information and letters to me. I have enjoyed making contact with some of my cousins again, which has been a reminder of the vital role Aunts Mary and Grace played in keeping us all connected in the past. The idea of compiling a booklet about the Mckenzie siblings has not progressed as desired. Although some cousins have responded, we were hoping for more submissions and photographs. The information received so far, has been uploaded onto this Blog.

We trust that this festive season will bring much happiness and joy, as we celebrate the coming of our Christ, Jesus. Take care, travel safely ands may the year ahead bring prosperity it you all.

My Family Tree is full of Nuts

Many, many years ago when I was twenty-three,
I got married to a widow who was a pretty as could be.
This widow had a grown-up daughter who had hair of red.
My father fell in love with her,and soon the two were wed.
This made my dad my son-in-law and changed my very life.
My daughter was my mother, for she was my father's wife.
To complicate the matters worse,although it brought me joy,
I soon became the fatherof a bouncing baby boy.
My little baby then becamea brother-in-law to dad.
And so became my uncle,though it made me very sad.
For if he was my uncle,then that also made him brother
To the widow's grown up daughter who,of course, was my step-mother Father's wife then had a son,who kept them on the run.
And he became my grandson,for he was my daughter's son.
My wife is now my mother's mother and it makes me blue,
Because, although she is my wife, she's my grandma too.
If my wife is my grandmother,then I am her grandchild
And every time I think of it,it simply drives me wild.
For now I have become the strangest case you ever saw,
As the husband of my grandmother, I am my own grandpa!