October is the month of the Meiringspoort half marathon & 12.5km run. Some of our group of friends have participated each year over the last few years, including myself about 2 ½ years ago when I ran the 12.5km.
It all begins in De Rust, where runners are taken via bus, farm trailers, taxis & other modes of transport, up the mountain pass to their various start points.
The “gees” (spirit) is amazing. It is a very early morning start.
This year we had five runners & 3 members for our support team, which included myself. I am currently injured and therefore not able to participate in events. However, I have a loud voice, I can dance, I can’t sing (but I do) and I can take fairly good video footage on my Samsung. So, we made sure we were not far from the finish line as each of our runners came up the hill to complete what had been a really gruelling run. They were all super stars. Respect for all those who take part in this and other events over the course of the year.
Lindie, a member of the support team suggested that we buy some fun gifts to give out as prizes that evening to each of our brave athletes. These were hunted down & found in Oudtshoorn & prepared for presentation that evening
Prize for the funkiest pants was a small pink tape measure in the shape of a snail.
Prize for the best hair for awesome battle braids – a cell phone charger cable holder in the shape of a mouse – cable held in his little mouth which was attached immediately the next morning and we could see him the whole way home.
Prize for the most drugged runner – to our friend who was having problems with her back and needed anti-inflammatories to get her through it – a brighter yellow cell phone screen cleaner that you put over your finger, with a smiley face
Prize for the greatest loser – not for losing. Well, she set a weight loss goal & looks fab. A funky bright purple cell phone stand.
Then for the only man in the group (hubby of one of our other athletes) – for hanging out with the girls & doing the dishes when they home – a dish sponge in a special clip that you attach to the wall/drainer at the sink.
While we were handing out the prizes at dinner and having a good laugh, it reminded me of two things.
The first was when we packed up my mom’s belongings earlier this year to move her to a retirement village. I watched her as she reminisced & told me stories when she found precious items that took her back to earlier times in her life. The items were not necessarily elaborate or costly, but held a special place in her heart and memory, so definitely went into the “to keep” boxes. They were moments of nostalgia. Some memories sad and others filled with joy but all imprinted in her memory and on her heart forever.
More importantly I remembered the little clay man that my son made for me in Primary School, during one of his early art classes when they were learning ceramics. This little clay man is sitting on his butt with his knees pulled up & his arms wrapped around the top of his knees. He has a big smile on his face. Dylan gave this to me as soon as he was able to bring it home. I put the little guy in my car in front of the gear stick where he sat with me while I travelled from place to place. Whenever I had the car washed, I would take him inside with me so that he did not get damaged.
When I bought another vehicle, there was nowhere on the dash or near the gears where I could safely keep him, so he now sits in my office on the shelf above my computer.
My little clay man will always be one of the most precious gifts I have ever received. Dylan’s name is carved on his butt, obviously so that the teacher could identify each learner’s item.
Sometimes it’s the small things, those given as part of a memorable event, the gifting filled with fun and laughter and sometimes something created with the hands and heart of a precious soul in your life, in this case my son Dylan, who has gone on to become an amazing artist and Graphic Designer. He is busy completing his final year and his creations are absolutely next level.
I will take my little clay man wherever life leads me, now and forever.
I will always cherish my little clay man. He will always be kept in a place where I get to see him every day. Cherish the “little clay man” gifts you receive in life. Someone you love has put their thoughts, their heart and soul into them, where a small part of who they are will remain forever.
