It’s Springtime in South Africa and what a gorgeous season it is! We are blessed to have a resident pair of olive thrushes in our garden and they are so cheeky (in the best way!). Every morning the bigger male waits on our stoep (porch) to see what’s for breakfast. If it’s not to his liking, he will simply turn around and hop away until his preference is provided.
Tucked away under our front door entrance is a magnificent creation – a mud nest. It was built by a pair of swallows many years ago, but now is inhabited by their cousins, the martins. Unfortunately, the martins are not as house proud as the tidy swallows. They like to “do their business” on the front step as they swoop in and out in search of food. This creates an awful mess, and we hark back to the days of the swallows who look so prim and proper in their feathered suits. It is worth it though. The magestic martins are only temporary residents, and their wondrous flying displays make up for their lack of cleanliness and human consideration.
But I digress, I painted this watercolour of a young girl wearing a floral wreath and I was reminded of how childhood is the “Springtime of your life”. Everything is vital, growing and infused with a sense of hope. There is perfection in a single flower, and there is a sense of wonder when we consider the “perfection” of human children. Their flawless unblemished complexions; their innocence and wide-eyed consideration of the world around them; their pure enjoyment of simple things..
We should enjoy the beauty of our children – the Springtime, for all too soon the hot summer approaches and we can never relive those vibrant and nurturing years again.
