Today’s bloggers in the spotlight are ladies who stir something within me. Reading their blogs is sometimes painful as it triggers a memory, something I prefer to keep shut away, so that I don’t have to remember, and with remembering, feel loss, or loneliness, or worse: longing.  They might not inspire the same emotions in you as you don’t share the two things I share with them: my homeland and my faith, but I’m still pretty sure that if you allow yourself to, you’ll find yourself lost in the pages of their writing for hours.

Christine from African Babies Don’t Cry lives in South Africa. We’ve never met since I now live in England, but her photographs – which are gorgeous, artistic and creative in and of themselves – actually stir emotions in me.  The picture of the Woodlands Kingfisher almost made me cry, as I remember with a throbbing ache the beauty of these striking birds, sitting by a lake watching them dart in and out of sight as the sun sets. A dull ache. A deep longing.

Christine writes heartfelt and beautiful letters to her son, Jesse, something I’ve been doing for Ameli and Squidgy since before birth, and recommend every expectant mother does.

Emotions aside, however, African Babies Don’t Cry features regular recipes that are unique, unusual and incredibly healthy or easy. Christine is attempting a partially raw food diet, and her one year old’s fruit intake is admirable (and a little guilt-inspiring!)

I find Christine’s writing to be so truly South African. She’s straight forward, passionate, and full of warmth.

Sarah writes at Parenting God’s Children. If you’re not religious, don’t let that put you off. Her words are honest, and beautiful and real. She writes about her girls, and her time with her girls. She writes about herself and her parenting journey:

I’m constantly researching things and trying new things.
Some work out ok and others fail miserably.
I’m ok with both outcomes.

I can learn from that. Failure still stings me and often leads to giving up.

Sarah is a birth doula, and while she is passionate about her role as an advocate for women, she is incredibly compassionate. You’ll see why in her post on breastfeeding, and how she couldn’t.

But, like me, Sarah is learning, day by day, and trying to make changes in their lives, like moving over to a home made dish washing detergent.

I think the article that moved me the most, however, was one on how she as an attachment parents lets her children sleep over with their grandmother from time to time.  It would be false of me to say I didn’t feel a slight tinge of jealousy, both at the beauty of her relationship with her mother, and the ability to have someone close by that she could trust so impeccably. I envy anyone who has someone they can leave their babies with and walk away freely, with no fear.

Oh, and the memories? Sarah’s pages are dotted with things that are memories to me – a Jars of Clay video, terminologies, lingo. Things I grew up with in a Christian home that others may not even notice.  But to me, it’s warm, and comfortable, and leaving her blog feels like I’m leaving something familiar behind.

Categories: Friday Features Misc

3 Comments

Friday Features: ‘African Babies Don’t Cry’ And ‘Parenting God’s Children’

  1. Wow, what a surprise 🙂 I am truly honoured to be featured on your blog. Thank you so much! Im sorry my writing evokes so many mixed emotions for you, but I am glad you enjoy reading it.

    Also, thank you for all the lovely things you said about me and my blog, you are too kind! 🙂

    xXx

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