Swazi Gift.

Although the population of the then Republic of Transkei was mainly Xhosa people, there were many other nationalities living and working mainly in the capital city of Umtata, where we were based for just over 11 years. At one time the Local school there, where our children went, boasted children of 39 different Nationalities studying at their school.

During our time there, we made good friends with a Swaziland family through their daughter and our youngest daughter’s friendship. So much so that when they returned to Swaziland one year to again live there, they left their most valued possession behind in our keeping.

So for the next couple of years, during school time we had their daughter living with us in Umtata, and during the non–school year, they had our last–born living with them. This continued until they both Graduated from high school and went their separate ways. One to Swaziland and one to Australia. (I will leave it to you to work out which went where!)

Despite the distance of many miles/Kilometres and time (it is over 5 years since our lastborn left Umtata for Australia,) they have maintained their friendship through phone calls, e-mails and little mailed gifts etc. Some even being delivered by family and friend of theirs, visiting family in Melbourne.

We had even heard that our “other” Daughter (Swazi Girl) had found an Australian friend, so it was no surprise when a young man rang out of the blue saying he was a friend of Swazi girl and had been asked to drop in a gift from Swazi girl to our last-born. She was not home at the time, but he was told when she would be and we went out for the evening meal with some friends from church. After the meal but still early in the evening, we received a phone call from our last born saying that we should come home soon because the gift from Swazi girl was in fact Swazi girl herself.

So shortly after the phone call we made our goodbyes and apologies and went home to enjoy our time with our Swazi gift, and what a gift she was. It was great to see our “other” daughter after 5 years and pick up as if it was only 5 days, not years. It truly was a wonderful gift.

Have you ever thought about giving such a gift? A present of your presence? I’m not talking about you having to go halfway around the world or even to another country, (if you can do that great,) but is there someone nearby that you have not seen for a long time that the present of your presence would bring great joy into their lives? Our gift only lasted for a couple of hours but it will long be remembered. Again is there someone that you can bring a brief moment of great joy to soon and will you?