Best Christmas 2014

Christmas for us is usually quite busy and I must say a bit tense because of that. I think it's got to do with the fact that Lerato and I have very possessive mothers who don't take no for an answer. I think the saving grace is the fact that both families don't stay too far from each other and they often don't mind spending time as one group. Luckily this was one of those times.

The added bonus was that we were outdoors and for some reason my traditionally bound parents decided to play along and bring camping chairs (my jaws dropped when I saw them). It's been decades since they've been going camping so mom had to go buy some just for this occasion.

But the just amazing thing is what transpired next. We're pretty lucky that both families get along pretty nicely. Both mom and dad have their people to talk and even my sister has likeminded cousins she can hangout with.

As I was battling the scorching heat trying to get the braaie going for roughly 15 people, I started to see some guys gravitating towards a volleyball net in the far distance. To my big surprise, my dear father was amongst the culprits there moving about like a young teenager.

I couldn't believe my eyes. I had never seen dad have so much fun. So naturally, I decided to join in. And it was that moment, that my heart melted even more for such an amazing man. Even though he wasn't dressed for it, there he was playing with people half or third of this age and showing them how it's done. This was all witnessed by a sideline of cousins cheerleaders who made their voices heard for the victors.

It's was truly a complete change from small talk to eventual drowning of sorrows in alcohol and the odd argument. Although most drenched in sweat and fatigue everyone pretty much agreed that we shouldn't wait until next Christmas to do this again.

Priceless.

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