52 Sunsets

election day

Today was a very important day. For all of us. Watching the sun set on this day made me realise that I was watching a part of history unfold. The larger cog of the machinations of humanity turned another full circle today. South Africa came together to decide who would be the next leaders of this young democracy. The importance of what was achieved  today should not be underestimated. People need to have their say. People need to feel that what they believe is important. It is the drive that each of us has. The drive to make our mark, to say “this is what I feel is right and this is how I feel we should act.” This is the ideal. This is the foundation of democracy.

But the sun still went down today. The clouds were a beautiful yellow-pink shade, blanketing the city in a warnth slightly out of place for this presumably winter’s day. The moon will come out tonight and the stars will flicker like they always do. And tomorrow the sun will rise over the mountains again, as it does every morning. If you extract yourself from the human perspective for a while, you might see a different picture. You might glimpse into a world not dominated by leaders or their followers. A world unrestricted by the timelines we create or by the significance we place on them. A world that wants for nothing. Nothing except balance.

This is the picture that I hope all of us held close to our hearts today and this is the picture that I hope frames the offices of all our leaders whom we entrust with our beliefs. Keep this picture close always, through the rough days of crime and poverty, through the glorious days of celebration and success. If you stare deeply enough, you might see yourself, and maybe, just maybe you’ll understand your part in it all.

I really do have amazing friends. That realisation has been dawning on me over the past year. They’re all full of love and honesty – two characteristics that I deem most important in friends. Pretty isn’t important, although like most other men, I like a bit of eye candy. That doesn’t make for a lasting or meaningful relationship in and of itself though. It’s the person who is laid back and casual, free and full of laughter that I feel compelled to be around. Complications are SO tiring and boring. In the words of the fabulous diva: “No more drama!”.

My family also amazes me. Spending time with them again this weekend brought it home to me how lucky I am to have them in my life and in my blood. Relaxed and accepting, funny and quirky, loud and raucous, filled with laughter. Over the years there have been many knocks threatening to sweep the floor out from under us, but we find our footing with each other again and grab hold of each other’s hands, laughing about how silly we can sometimes be.

My parents continually amaze me – the perpetual lovers, facing every facet of life together, strong and steadfast in a deep-rooted and unshaking love. They stand so close to each other, they can see the remnants of all the bumps they’ve faced and all the scars they’ve accumulated during the classroom of life. It doesn’t fade their love. Rather, it amplifies it. They are an example to me, showing me what a true partnership, romance and friendship is all about. I want it too. I’m hoping that I’m at the early stages of it – it feels like it could be.

‘Hold them close. If not in your arms then in your heart and mind.’