Letter 16/24: Tick Tock Tick Tock

Hey 2024,

 

What’s good? 

 

Yesterday was just one of those days when I felt like I needed to constantly remind myself which day of the week it was. I needed to remind myself which date it was. I need to give in to next year being close and yet far away. 

The reflective emotions? Jumping jacks. Jonga, I was everywhere and nowhere. Much like when you’ve navigated confidently to a place you’ve never been and the voice keeps saying “turn right”. When you look at right, it’s not make sure. Then you look left, just in case, and it’s even worser. So you say a few kind words, breathe in and out and start again. That was me yesterday. 

When this whole GPS thing kicks in your first concern is survival. I guess yesterday was for all the days like that on your timeline, 2024. 

Days when your best isn’t visibly “wow”. When your best is about making it to a certain time of the day, out of a busy intersection or just managing to show up regardless of the jumping jacks. 

We give so much credit to the days like that. This year has made me appreciate them. Not how much they suck. No. Just how much they ground and remind you that…they too, are part of life…. 

Letter 15/24: Cactus Plants

Hello 2024, 

I hope you’re well. Today’s letter is another reflection dedication. I find myself wanting to say the same thing to a couple of people. Writing different letters wouldn’t make sense but, this same one will have different meanings to each of them. 

You know how I’m a village girl? I was exposed to plants at a very young age. Cactus plants were never appealing to me. I didn’t really like your typical plants though. Before you judge, I was more of an aloe girl. This wasn’t voluntary though 🤣. Someone thought smearing the juice on my fingers would make me stop sucking them. Epic fail.  Backfired so badly that, that’s one of my favourite tastes of all time. 

Adulting has taught me to appreciate the traits of Cactus plants. If I were to compare our bond to anything, it would be them. We hardly talk but when we do, it’s lit. I never feel the need to explain my absence. I never have to strip myself and list reasons why I’ve been MIA or hiding. I also don’t have to compete with those who have been present while I missed out on memories. This makes it so easy for me to fill you in on my mgowo lows and private highs. I guess I proved myself once to you and you were sold. Thank goodness! 

If I were to ever need a witness to prove I’m an introvert at heart who is willing to talk once you know them - I’d call you. Look, you know because you were the extrovert who saw me and adopted me 🤣

You know this year has been one of my lowest and yet, you’ve treated me like we’ve just met and we talk every other day. Thank you for sharing your answered prayers with me, thank you for the calls that make me feel like I’m on top of the world…thank you for the tea. 

Next year, we should be intentional about keeping in touch 🫂… 

Letter 14/24: The colour Purple

 Dear 2024, 

I hope that you’re well. I was tired yesterday.  Still tired today. I’m starting to sound like a broken record about this. I know. It’s just that it’s also fatigue season 🙆🏾‍♀️. Today’s reflection is a letter to purple.

I can pinpoint exactly to when I knew how to get purple - Arts and Culture. What a class! Let’s just say I was a rebellious teenager who didn’t get it. A part of adult me still doesn’t but, I won’t get into it. I just remember being let in on the concept of purple by my people and immediately getting it 😂. I recall being grateful for the knowledge I hadn’t appreciated back in the day. The point, 2024, is that this knowledge is part of the silver lining and part of the “why”.

2024, Purple is always a constant reminder of my why. Purple knows me. Purple has seen different shades of me. Purple has set the friendship bar high. Purple wishes my favourite colour wasn’t my favourite colour 🤣. If I were kidnapped, I’d probably send signals to Purple and they would get it. 

Blue holds your hand and sits with you. Red is a constant who never lets you walk alone. Purple comes with so much awesomeness that you’d swear it carries the rainbow on its shoulders. Blessed to know you, thankful for those laughs and missed punchlines but, above all…grateful for each moment we’ve shared in 2024. 

Here’s to infinity and beyond…

Letter 13/24: 12 Things I didn’t like about you

It’s FriYay 2024, 

I’m feeling exhausted but good. It’s one of my favourite days of the week and I’m feeling a bit petty. Pretty good time to vent about how much of a thorn you’ve been. Today’s reflection continues from yesterday’s.

12 Things I didn’t like about you 

1. You - I gave you your flowers yesterday but, Homegirl you were messy! 
2. That 4:0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns was painful. 
3. Winter - it was too long. 
4. This one may compromise my street cred but, my knowledge of players from this other club surpass my own. Look, it’s alarming how I know who is who from a quick glance of those line ups 🙈
5. Fatigue - I’d explain this in detail but, fatigue 🤣
6. The Ls I caught from adulting 🙆🏾‍♀️🤣
7. All Mondays - except ones where I didn’t have to adult 
8. Guys, what if the big bad wolf from Little Red Riding Hood is Capitalism? Capitalism keeps winning guys. 
9. Imposter Syndrome and her goons 
10. Am I the only South African who feels like every month needs a public holiday?
11. The unwanted visits by Death…
12. 2024 but in yellow? Jokes 🤣 This is one of those years when those long distance relationships were felt! 

You have a few days to go to redeem yourself…