Whenever I hear a song or experience the smell of farm food, it feels like I’m being transported back to my childhood days on a farmhouse in Alexandria. All my cherished memories are entwined in every fibre of my grandparents’ farm, Little Barnet. It is where my mom grew up. It’s just amazing how specific experiences have the power to shape us for a lifetime. As I take a moment to reflect on my childhood, I find myself transported back to the late 1970s, when life moved at a slow pace. I remember being surrounded by the beauty of nature and the idyllic Eastern Cape countryside.
My mom loved sharing stories of how all the children had to do chores. She and her brother Andrew were tasked with morning chores: The rooster's crow at the crack of dawn, signalled the start of a new day on the farm. They made their way to the barn, where the cows eagerly awaited their morning milking. Winter mornings were challenging, but that was life on the farm.
In the heart of Little Barnet Farm, where time seemed to weave itself into the very fabric of the farm, the Christmas holidays were more than a season; it was a living, breathing family fairytale. The Christmas holidays unfolded like a cherished story passed down through generations. The Alexandria exodus to Jan and Annie Wentzel’s farm brought together generations of Wentzels, Marees, Milborrows, Camfers and Oosthuizens; a symphony of laughter, and the warmth of family embracing the farm’s landscape. Memories etched in time, a tapestry of moments woven by cousins, uncles, and aunts, their youthful spirits dancing through the fields.
The great migration to Alexandria to embrace the haven of Jan and Annie Wentzel's farm orchestrated a magnificent reunion of the Wentzel, Maree, Milborrow, Camfer, Oosthuizen, Jacobs clans. Together, we formed a harmonious symphony, a rich tapestry of shared laughter and familial warmth, woven into the majestic fabric of the farm's landscape. Time stood still as memories were etched into the soul of our collective existence, a vibrant canvas painted by the spirited dance of children through the sun-kissed fields.
Cousins, whose names resonated like a melodious hymn - Donald, Neil, Crystal, Chantel, Sharon, Mercia, Heather, Derrick, Peter, Pascoe, Rodwell, Marius, Edgar, Gravin, Selwyn, and Cre - darted gracefully through the grass. We, the painters of joy, let our carefree spirits waltz through the landscape, leaving behind strokes of vibrant and playful hues. The rustling leaves above conducted a soothing melody, guiding us through a labyrinth of hidden wonders. Secret spots emerged, forts made from fallen branches, and the cows' grazing ground transformed into an expansive playground for our boundless imaginations.
Under the shade of lemon and apple trees, we sought refuge from the scorching sun. The cows and sheep, unwitting participants in our youthful antics, bore witness to the laughter of boys chasing tadpoles in animal water holes and catching frogs hiding behind stones. Grandpa's horse, Whiskey, stood as a silent sentinel, enduring a cascade of stones as tokens of our mischievous play. The occasional hiding from Grandpa's loving yet stern hand became threads seamlessly woven into the canvas of our innocence.
Aunty Margie and Ma Eva regaled us with tales that carried the weight of shared history, tickling our funny bones. Sharon, Mercia, and a tiny Heather indulged in feasts that left bellies aching but hearts yearning for more. Natasha, Clinton, Keith, and Clyde navigated the intricate dance of hide-and-seek, their father's scolding first met with fear and later with peals of laughter that resonated across the farm.
Each morning greeted us with the gentle rise of the Eastern Cape sun and the crowing of cockerels, signaling the beginning of another beautiful day. With excitement bubbling in our steps, we ventured outside, eager to greet cousins and embark on amazing adventures on the farm. We played until it became dark, just in time for supper. There were no fears for the safety of the children. It was a safe world back then. The farm, a sanctuary of shared history and enduring love, became the canvas on which our stories were painted, a masterpiece woven with threads of laughter, mischief, and the unbreakable bonds of family. Fruit plucked from trees, pure cow milk, hearty meals, and candies like lekker-smekka became sweet memories, laying the foundation of our shared past.
Lunches seasoned with spices and herbs from Grandma's herb garden formed a culinary mosaic, speaking the language of love with every bite. Simple pleasures, like coffee, eggs, and buttered toast, became cherished rituals. Picnics, a timeless tradition, still held sway on the farm, with Grandpa reclining under his tree, relishing the shade and watching the joyful spectacle of his grandchildren playing.
The farm echoed with the laughter of generations, and the kitchen became a sanctuary of heavenly flavours. Another highlight was visits to Galiema and Koos, whose food became a sought-after delicacy in the tapestry of the holidays. Walks through the woods, close calls with snakes, harmonious melodies, Sunday church hymns, and stories in the lounge painted a tapestry of timeless memories.
All good things come to an end. My dad used to utter those words that a child don't want to hear. It was the case on the farm when we entered the last day of the year. Now, as Aunty Margie, Aunty Suzie joined aunty Mimmie, and her sister Eva in the celestial tapestry, I can't help but envision the festive gatherings that must be taking place in Heaven. Ma Eva, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, the timeless storyteller and caregiver, continues weaving her tales, her laughter harmonising with that of Aunty Margie's, and the celestial melodies played by Aunty Suzie on her heavenly harp. Little Barnet Farm, forever a sanctuary of cherished memories, remains a haven where the spirits of loved ones persist in their dance, and the echoes of joy reverberate across the fields of eternity. The legacy of those holidays, eternally cherished, carries on in the boundless expanse of familial love and shared history.
The memories woven on Little Barnet will forever have a sacred place in my heart. They are the threads that have intricately shaped the very essence of who I am today - a person attuned to nature's wonders, one who cherishes the profound bonds of family above all else, and finds joy in life's simplest pleasures. When the weight of the loss of a beloved family member becomes too much to bear, I seek solace by closing my eyes, allowing the currents of memory to carry me back to Little Barnet, where the symphony of laughter, rustling leaves, and the comforting presence of family formed an eternal melody. In those hushed moments of reflection, the farmhouse becomes a poignant portal, unlocking the treasured adventures of my childhood, forever resonating with the echoes of laughter and the warmth of days gone by.
Life, in its tumultuous nature, often feels overwhelming, yet I find solace in holding onto the precious memories of my childhood days on Grandpa's farm. On a lazy, sleepy afternoon, with the cows contentedly grazing, I shared a few secrets with them as they merrily chewed on grass. These memories serve as my compass through the chaos, keeping me grounded and offering a timeless tribute to my grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and even the farm animals.
The heart of Little Barnet will forever be cherished, its tales of family, love, and happiness embedded in my soul. On this day of celebration and reflection, I express my gratitude for the light my mom ignited in my life. We used to share stories about the farm and reminisce about the memorable holidays spent with family. Oh, how I miss the farm - perhaps it's the innocence of life that I truly yearn for. However, this Christmas is tinged with a profound ache as I deeply miss my mom. Her absence is felt in an indescribable way.
It is my sincere hope that this story serves as a beacon of light for anyone faced with an empty chair or two at the family table today. God bless you all!
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