Casting my mind back to the last century, I remember only one occasion where I participated in a three legged race. It was a fun event at school, if I recall correctly. We - my Name- forgotten partner and I - did quite well, getting into the correct stride and completing the course without the usual and expected tripping, falling and struggling to get up. But it wasn't much fun really.
Racing to the end of 2025 has felt a bit like a three legged event for me. In a bout of very late enthusiasm, we finally put up a Christmas tree on Thursday, a week before Celebration Day. And it twinkles beautifully. Andrew was in charge of the lighting - he has a "thing" about strings of lights, and we have an impressive collection. Then the three of us chose our favourite ornaments, aiming at a silver and red theme.
With a few exceptions, because rigidity is not really in the spirit of Christmas, is it, and I wanted to put up a bauble that was blue and gold. It is made from glass and contains my breath. Last year, during our two month UK stay, I was lucky enough to attend a glass blowing workshop with J. (She is one of those wonderful people who is both a friend and relative.) She organised the whole thing, and we set off one lovely morning in her electric car to the studio about 40 minutes from home. What an adventure!
The studio was welcoming and warm - a combination of the people there and all the roaring fire kilns needed in the process of blowing glass.
Adam, the artist, explained the process and then each of us was guided through the experience individually. And there we have it - a tick off my bucket list, and a reminder of the beauty of the life we breathe into the world. My bauble is placed near the top of the Christmas tree with some magic lighting behind it enhancing its colours. I am unashamedly proud of it.
It is hot in Cape Town, and I feel sluggish and lethargic - I absolutely would not be up for running any races at the moment, especially not a three legged one. The thing about being tied at the ankles to another person (or a concept, or belief....) is that it can either slow you down and trip you up, or if you can see it as a support mechanism, it encourages you forward. Certainly if you are paired with the right person in the hypothetical three legged race of life, the joint speed and momentum can carry you over the finish line faster. But paired with an incompatible person (or concept or belief!), you are likely to land and your face and struggle to get up.
These days we are all tethered to technology. And the thing about that is that most of news chafes, causing open sores and hindering happiness. The unkindness and brutality that bombards us daily makes me limp rather than gallop, and trips me up with sadness. I think I need to concentrate on the small beautifulness of everyday life.
I also remember doing the Egg and Spoon race back in the 70s. No hard-boiled unbreakable ones or potato substitutes in those days. If you wobbled and dropped it, it broke and you could cheerfully shrug your shoulders and retire to the benches. It was messy, but taught accountability and consequences.
Christmas is a couple of days away. It is time to slow the pace and spend time with the people I love.
Wishing you all much of what you need, a pace of life you are comfortable with and lots of delicious food.
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