This video shows the ugly side of pediatric cancer, and just a glimpse into the world of it. Pediatric cancer is not a fun, happy place. It is filled with grief, tears, anger, and great pain for both the child with cancer and his/her family and loved ones.
As we let our light shine, we unconsciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence actually liberates others.
Marianne Williamson
I was kind of the black sheep in the family from a young age, and this led to me being sent to a “guvvie” school in Paarl at age 12 (midway through standard 6 or grade 8).
H.S. van der Walt High School was kind of a dumping-ground for young girls with all sorts of problems and for which the government of the day had no other solution. It was not a reformatory, but what was known as an “industrial school” in the old days… a “trade-school” which no longer taught one a trade. The only available subjects were commercial ones although apparently it was only the “brainy” naughty girls that crossed that threshold…
The school has existed for many years, with the centenary being in 2015, and it finally closed its doors as that type of institution in 1992, although the structures are still being used for learning today, as part of Boland College. A few years ago a Facebook page for the school was formed, and as more and more ex-scholars (and even some ex-teachers) joined, talk turned to a reunion… the thought of which terrified and excited a lot of us “Dassies”. We were referred to as Dassies because apparently many moons ago the students were known for always trying to find a spot of sun in which to sit… the hostels and classrooms were not really warm and comfy.. they were typical institution models… cold and sparse….
Dassies ~ Reunion 28 April 2012
Thanks to a very determined young lady named Maryna who refused to give up and who, together with a very able team of volunteer helpers, begged, pleaded, Facebooked, BBM’d, e-mailed, phoned, arranged, bartered and put in a lot of time… the HS vd Walt Reunion Weekend became a reality on the weekend of 27-29 March 2012.
Attendees flew and drove in from all corners of the country, some of them spending Friday and Saturday nights in one of the hostels at the school, others only coming for the cocktail party on the Saturday evening. The oldest ex-pupil that attended on Saturday evening was an absolutely awesome lady, in all senses of the word, Sally Storkey (Lucas), of nigh on 80 years old, who attended in the mid 40s. The youngest weren’t even born when I matriculated from there in ’75!
Dassie Staff ~ Reunion 2012
There were quite a few teachers, hostel-mothers, and an ex-principal that attended, and this made for a very interesting cross-generation mix. The teachers spoke about how they enjoyed their time at HS, how it made better people out of them and mapped their path forwards… had we only know that THEN *grin* Words were spoken in speeches, in general and then there were also some personal aside comments made that had a profound effect on the recipient…
Over the months the members of the Dassie Club chatted on FB, some mini-reunions were organised in various parts of the country, and memories were recalled and shared… like those famous ones about “skivvying” which was one of our chores that had to be done ( going down on your hands and knees in really long passages, first removing the old polish with fine steel-wool then polishing the floor until you could see your face in the reflection….).
“Pikkens” is something that is remembered by everyone, no matter whether you have blocked out everything else about your time there or not… this was the “snack” we got once a week (peanuts and raisins). I remember a time when some of the girls collected all their raisins for a few weeks and then used them to make raisin beer… Another favourite food was “melk-kos” which is this really rich dish made with milk, egg, sugar, sometimes condensed milk, and pasta… my teeth curl just thinking about it….
Sally Lucas ~ matriculated in 1950
And so the sharing of memories continued through the weekend too…
Sally Lucas had us in stitches with the tales of the shenanigans that she and her crowd got up to when they were there… many of which I am sure were the precursors to what became an institution for the Dassies… such as running away to Paarlberg, or hitting the nightclubs in Town, or raiding the orchard behind Hostel 1…. midnight swims and midnight pantry raids for the midnight feasts we then held in our roooms later…
We were also very privileged to hear the testimony of Rita,
Rita Swartz
a Dassie who had literally been to Hell and back most of her life, but who has turned her life around and is now spreading Love, Light and Joy to youngsters… there were many looks of surprise and disbelief about what all she has survived and overcome, and many a tear shed, but the main emotion that filled the room was pride for her and in her.
Rita, you are a true inspiration – never be anything else but yourself!
I was also rather privileged to be able to connect with a few of those who had been there at the same time as me, some in the same hostel, some in the same class, to share a few memories and to listen to a few stories… I also spoke to quite a few people that I had never met before… not strangers though, just friends who had never met, because we all share one very strong bond; we are all Dassies till the day we die!
I heard anger, I heard hurt, I heard laughter and I saw tears, but what I saw most of all was a sense of “riding the tiger,” the facing down of fears, and an immense amount of tension, stress and baggage was released in a torrent of emotions upon re-visiting what was, for most, a very difficult time of their life. I hope that those that needed healing found it this weekend past… and remember, look forwards with joy because the best times of your life are still ahead…
Julie & Maryna
Once again to Maryna I say a heartfelt Thank You! Without you this would never have happened – you did a great job and each and every one of us that attended will remember the past weekend very fondly!
Thank you for all of the arrangements, the thoughtfulness in the decorations and the mementos, the great food, the certificates, the presents for the staff and some others, and for motivating us to get there!
Our thanks also go to Susan and Julie and all the other “behind-the-scenes” helpers.
So, to all Dassies, whether you were at the reunion or not… I salute every one of you as Women of Strength!
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us.
Marianne Williamson
Namaste Billi Credit must go to various Dassies for the photos used… sorry Ladies I don’t know who took the particular photos I used on this post, but thanks to all who took somewhere in the region of 500 photos of the reunion!
Why we still have Hope
Each day my mind is bombarded
By bad news, sounds and scenes of violence
Poverty, Starvation, Famine, Genocide,
Drug Wars, Greed & Corruption
Until I feel as though I want to just melt away
Into a nondescript puddle.
And then suddenly my mind is transported
By a beautiful photograph of somewhere
Absolutely wondrous in nature
And as I drink in the splendour with my eyes
And my Soul breathes in deeply
I am rejuvenated.
I get introduced to some fantastic people
Who offer much from their own experiences
And I broaden my knowledge
As I have great discourses with them
And make some really good connections
From total strangers.
I read wonderful accounts of people
Who still understand what it is to be kind
And compassionate human beings
Quietly working in the background, unféted
Making a difference in so many lives
Even though they very little themselves.
I read about battles others are fighting
With life-altering if not life-taking illnesses
And I see the compassion and loving hands
That hold and support them gently
As they traverse one of life’s difficult highways
byways and footpaths.
I am once again brought to the realisation
The reminder that with all things in life
There needs to be balance
And I am grateful that amongst my friends
I can find exactly what I need
Love, Light, Compassion and Hope!
This piece could also have been called “Why I love Facebook”, because that is
where I meet up with most of you, but it sounded a bit trite 
© Michél 21/04/12
The Little Fighters Cancer Trust draws it's inspiration from children who have no choice but to battle Cancer daily and the trials and tribulations their families face.
What is LFCT?Little Fighters Cancer Trust is a non-profit organisation started by two individuals who saw the need… We started this trust for cancer babies and their families to give relief to their financial difficulties. We are trying to raise money to help these families. Some of the parents lost their jobs and business because of the medical bills and because they want to give their children the best medical care. These people need petrol money, food, clothes and money for Hospital and Dr bills. From here the Trust has grown to support hundreds of Little Fighters and their families. The Trust volunteers it’s services to any child diagnosed with CANCER and have actively extended our resources to families nationally.
What does LFCT do?Some of what we aim to assist families with are the following: * Transporting Little Fighters and their families back and forth from hospitals. For many the traveling costs are crippling so we take care of this aspect for the families. * Offering assistance with paying the ever mounting medical expenses these families accrue. Every parent want the best medical care for their child under these circumstances, but medical care is hugely expensive and the majority of our Little Fighter’s families cannot afford medical insurances. * Donations of food, clothing, medical equipment and anything else to alleviate the financial burden of the families. * We organize special outings for Little Fighters and their families when they are able to travel so that they can have a semblance of normality and some fun and laughter. * We organize Prayer and Healing groups whenever one of the Little Fighters in our network has special need for such support or there is a sudden medical crisis.
How you can HelpDonations are needed to fund the medical expenses, food, clothing, medications and other goods given to the little fighters and their families: Little Fighters Cancer Organization FNB Paarl Mall Account nr: 62277783249 Branch code: 250057 Swift code for international donations: FIRNZAJJ Trust Reg No: IT2817/2010 NPO NUMBER: 089 376
Delivered Mon-Fri. Cost R10 per week. Little Fighters Cancer Trust will be the beneficiaries for money earned via sms subscriptions. PLEASE SMS LFCANCER TO 31222. To unsubscribe you can sms STOP LFCANCER to 31222
by Doris Stickney
Down below the surface of a quiet pond lives a little colony of waterbugs.
They were a happy colony, living far away from the sun. For many months they were very busty, scurrying over the soft mud on the bottom of the pond.
They did notice that every once in a while one of their colony seemed to lose interest in going about with its friends. Clinging to the stem of a pond lily, it gradually moved out of sight and was seen no more. “Look” said one of the water bugs to another. One of our colony is climbing up the lily stalk. Where do you suppose she is going?
Up, up, up it went slowly. Even as they watched, the water bug disappeared from sight. Its friends waited and waited but it didn’t return.
“That’s funny”! Said one water bug to another.
“Wasn’t she happy here?” Asked a second water bug.
“Where do you suppose she went?” wondered a third.
No one had an answer. They were greatly puzzled.
Finally one of the water bugs, a leader in the colony, gathered its friends together “I have an idea. The next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk must promise to come back and tell us where he or she went and why.”
“We promise to”, they said solemnly.
One spring day not long after, the very water bug who had suggested the plan found himself climbing up the lily stalk. Up, up, up he went. Before he knew what was happening, he had broken through the surface of the water, and fallen onto the broad green lily pad above.
When he awoke he looked about with surprise. He couldn’t believe what he saw. A startling change had come to his old body. His movement revealed four silver wings and a long tail. Even as he struggled he felt an impulse to move his wings. The warmth of the sun soon dried the moisture from the new body. He moved his wings again and suddenly found himself up above the water. He had become a dragonfly.
Swooping and dipping in great curves he flew through the air. He felt exhilarated in the new atmosphere.
By and by the new dragonfly lighted happily on a lily pad to rest. Then it was by chance he looked below to the bottom of the pond. Why, he was right above his old friends the water bugs! There they were, scurrying about, just as he had been doing some time before.
Then the dragonfly remembered the promise: “The next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk will come back and tell where he or she went and why.
Without thinking the dragonfly darted to reach the bottom. Suddenly he hit the surface of the water and bounced away. Now that he was a dragonfly, he could no longer go into the water.
“I can’t return!” he said in dismay. “At least I tried but I can’t keep my promise. Even if I could go back not one of the water bugs would know me in my new body. I guess I will just have to wait until they become dragonflies too. Then they will understand what happened to me and where I went.”
The dragonfly winged off happily into its wonderful new world of sun and air.
Namasté
"I honour the place in you where the entire universe resides. I honour the place in you of light, love, truth, peace and wisdom. I honour the place in you where, when you are in that place, and I am in that place, there is only one of us."
Mahatma Gandhi
Below are links to pages of
my website which you may find
of interest
Cancer
Epilepsy
Healing
Stroke/TBI
