Dear Readers I hope that everyone had a fantastic weekend so far. Here’s my Monday evening special treat. Please be advised that this is not for the faint hearted.
This is a small part of who I am. I am all grown-up but there’s more than meets the eyes. I am still human and have weaknesses.
When I was about nine years old our youth leader invited us to a games evening in Malmesbury. My mom took me and my seven year old brother and decided she was coming with us. Obviously neither of us were complaining because she hardly attended functions like that. But, that afternoon she didn’t just say yes for us, she came with us.
My brother and I were so happy that she came with. All the kids had fun playing games-not the kind of games kids play nowadays. I mean actual physical games like nikkies, kennetjie, marbles, hokkies, five klippies, yoyos, and caterpillars-just shooting stuff. Sometimes we even hit a few windows. Those were fun days. We played volley ball and tennis late nights under the street lights. Good clean fun.
Sorry guys, I’m going of course again. Anyway, back to the night in question. Before the night came to an end, the Pastor decided to take his motorbike out so that every child could get a ride around the block. All of us were excited and ready. Then, it was my turn, and then my beloved mother said No. Not because she didn’t want me to go, oh no. She wanted to go first, and I had to wait. Man was I angry with her.
When I got on, it was epic and there was no way I was getting off. I went several times around the block until my mother went and stood in front and stopped us. That was when I fell in love with motorbikes and still am up until today. Now, on to the next episode.
My first year on High school, there was this guy I met through an old friend. The two of them were cousins and both of them were interested in dating me. Me, being naive; had no clue what was up. My friend Gary (not real name) and his cousin Peet (not real name) was competing for my attention. Gary and I knew each other at least two years and he would often visit me at home as a friend. My gran didn’t like him or any boys coming there but she allowed Gary because she knew his parents. She wasn’t really worried about me getting into any boy trouble because I was different from the other girls-I was too naive to even know when a boy was interested in that sense.
I am the eldest grandchild and didn’t understand how boys minds work. Anyhow, I was not interested in boys because I was a tomboy or what my gran would call ( n mannetjie-wyfie). So, there was never a threat of me getting involved with either of them in any case. But then, then I found out that Peet had a motorbike. Not good for him-but definitely good for me. Why? Because there was no way I would pass up on an opportunity to ride on that motorbike.
He asked me a few weeks later if I would be his girlfriend and of course I said yes, not because I wanted a boyfriend or even understood the concept of being in a relationship, but yea, I said yes. Without realizing it I was hooked, not by him but by the motorbike. I was very naive. He would pick me up after he got home from work and we would just drive for hours. Nothing serious happened between us because his cousin told him about my gran and if she found out-there would be trouble.
Thankfully for me he was a gentleman.
Eventually he told me that he wanted to meet my gran and ask her personally if he could have permission to date me. I was so nervous because Gary told me that he was serious. So, I ended our relationship because I knew I would be in trouble. Anyhow, I stalled the whole process but a few weeks later there was a knock on our door and it was him.
My gran called me and asked me if he was my boyfriend and I told her he was just a friend and all I wanted was to ride on his motorbike. She gave me a fat klap that I went flying across the living room and that is how it ended. I told him not to do it but he just wouldn’t listen. So, that was the end of my motorbike rides, but at least we still stayed friends.
Then, I grew up.
I met Koert (not real name) not my boyfriend but this time it was his a Harley Davidson that attracted me. Man, I was flying and we had lots of fun together. But, luckily that ended well and no my gran didn’t need to put an end to that relationship. Just good old clean fun riding, riding and looking at sun rises and sunsets and having lots of fun. We were both adults by then and were friends for a few years before he moved back home.
Moving forward, way forward
After my last accident in 2013, I gave up on my dreams with motorbikes and completely forgot all of that. But then, then my friend asked me to drop her son at school early September this year. Exactly a month before my 55th birthday. As we came around this particular corner that we pass every morning stood four, not one; four black and green motorbikes in a row and a guy with long black hair sweeping his garage.
The two of us looked at each other in awe… thinking the same thing. No FREAKIN WAY IS THIS HAPPENING! Seriously… four Suzuki’s standing in a row. It was like it was waiting just for us. Kev (not real name) asked if he could take a short video and I told him to ask permission from the owner first. Before he could ask, the owner told him…if your mom says it’s okay you can sit on one of them and she can take a photo. Now you tell me what kid would say no to that.
We were both ecstatic, plus he gave me permission to do the same and to top that off, he pointed to the Super Charge ones, which is apparently the fastest one, not that I cared. I was just excited about something that reminded me of a happier me…even if it was short lived. Who can say no to that.
So, here is that photo. Compliments from me to you all. My hair is actually curly/frizzy at times. It all depends on the mood but mostly the weather and if I actually have enough energy to finger-coil or platt my hair. Oh, and it’s mostly grey. Plus, I’m as skinny as a rake weighing not even 50kg. My two year old granddaughter weighs more than me.
This is what I look like now, so please don’t judge me to harshly.
It was very cold that morning and as you can see I was overdressed. Thank you for your patience and have a lovely evening.
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