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Family Is Everything

It is officially today the end of Spring, Our beautiful blossoming garden Now as awesome as the one we left behind, And tomorrow starts our Summer season. The evenings are becoming warmer and warmer And we sit outside till late with a glass Of wine, whilst hubby lights the braai, the wood Burns romantically, forming shadows in the twilight. Lamb chops, baked potatoes and mealies On the cob, pistachio ice cream and choc Flakes for desert are on the menu. Our mood is mellow and our children are With us, how kind God has been to us, Two wonderful sons and their lovely wives Are sitting around the braai, talking laughing Exchanging ideas, news, views and just Enjoying being together. No grandchildren, Ricky’s oldest Lab. who he inherited from Us, is always with him. I don’t want this perfect evening to end. We eat, everything is so delicious and the Fragrance of the jasmine and lavender wafts around Us, as the sun sets into an orange, crimson fiery Horizon, A typical African sunset, the time comes to Say goodnight and off go our four children, They even washed our dishes and packed Everything away. We have had a long day, my loving, Husband puts his arm around my shoulders And says Thank-you, I love you, as I also say to Him, I love you too my darling.

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Anitha Jayasankar

Date: 1/7/2021 10:43:00 AM

Wow... what a blissful family evening time that you have so well in this lovely poem Jenni. Enjoyed reading this from beginning till end. Yes. I do agree. We really never want such an amazing moment to end.. all simple little things you have put in in this wonderful write. Have a lovely day dear friend... Hugs ~ Ani

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 1/9/2021 4:57:00 AM

Ani, such a lovely heartfelt comment my dear friend. it was just a perfect evening and had to capture the love and peace that transpired in our small group in an era where the pandemic is at its worst. Hugs and blessings Jennifer.

Jcb Brul

Date: 12/21/2020 8:27:00 PM

What a happy and sweet ambiance! Nothing can give more pleasure than that scenario!

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/22/2020 5:39:00 AM

JCB Brul - I LOVED your comment, Thank-you. A blessed Christmas to you and yours my friend. Hugs Jennifer.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 12/11/2020 7:20:00 AM

I liked this so much I immediately looked up "braai" to see what it was. I thought it meant meadow. Wrong! Thanks for the lesson in African words.

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 1/9/2021 5:03:00 AM

Afrikanns is a lot like Hollanders speak and Germans. But then there are another 10 or 11 local languages which I don't know how to speak. Braai is like your BBQ. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.

Jack Horne

Date: 12/10/2020 12:28:00 PM

lovely heartwarming write : )

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 1/9/2021 5:07:00 AM

Thank-you Jack - hope you are well and safe. Blessings and hugs, Jennifer.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/9/2020 3:10:00 PM

you painted a most beautiful family scene. Exactly as God intended our lives to be. It's so sad the many who cannot ahieve this quality of life. Wonderfu descriptive writing, Jennifer.

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 1/9/2021 5:11:00 AM

Thank-you Andrea, we all love our children and they bring us such joy, your comment is heartfelt, so sweet. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.

Susan Ashley

Date: 12/7/2020 1:25:00 PM

Dearest Jennifer, your glorious pen radiates with the warmth in your heart full of shining love for your family. I was immersed in the beauty of your family’s gathering for dinner, wine and conversation shared with love and laughter wrapped in auras of jasmine and lavender and layered in colors of the African sunset. Your exquisite poem brings me to the center of this precious memory. Paradise on Earth! Simply stunning my poetry sister. Your soul sparkles! Warmest wishes, love and hugs.. ~Susan

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 1/9/2021 5:15:00 AM

What an outstanding comment Susan, I do collect my fave comments and this is certainly one of them. It was a precious moment to capture and the sunset at the back at about 7.30p.m. was glorious. Thank you dear poetry sis, you are such a gentle poetess and i simply LOVE all your comments. Hugs, love and blessings, Jennifer.

Peter Dome

Date: 12/5/2020 11:14:00 PM

wow, I love this. so visual. I only wish my family were the same.Love your pic very beautiful. well done.

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/6/2020 7:53:00 AM

Thank-you for a lovely compliment and and a wonderful comment Peter. Hugs and blessings Jennifer.

Christopher Flaherty

Date: 12/5/2020 8:29:00 PM

Yes indeed Jen Family is everything Congratulations Mev i see you had 3 poems chosen for the Anthology absolutely brilliant fantastic. Which 3 poems are they Jen id like to read them. Do you know or have any idea who the people are who actually run p.s site ?

Christopher Flaherty
Date: 12/7/2020 11:31:00 AM

Same here Jen I also wanted to write to Poetrysoup just to say thank you but i dont know where Im going to check out your poems now

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/6/2020 8:10:00 AM

Hi Chris, Thank-you for the congrats - congrats to you also my friend. My poems are ,1. Hello Dr. Seuss, do come in, 2.Because, and 3.Who will I be tomorrow. No I don't, do you want to order a book? I am going to write to Poetrysoup@poetrysoup.com. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.

Mark Koplin

Date: 12/4/2020 11:04:00 AM

That is such a lovely and beautiful poem about your family. Well done my friend. I’m still waiting for grandchildren as well.

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/6/2020 8:14:00 AM

I don't know about your children, but ours say that this world is too chaotic - we have'n't even begun with shortage of water and extreme climate change yet, besides others virus's that will sweep this planet. I'm sad, but do understand and feel blessed that we have our two sons and are very close with their wives. Thank-you for a wonderful comment Mark, Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 12/4/2020 9:25:00 AM

Indeed a lovely family, but I've been put aside. ~~

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/6/2020 8:16:00 AM

Never you are our mentor and each of us are inspired by your wonderful poetry. I think it is time, Victor, just takes me time to get to everybody. I see your comments are always a long page. Be blessed Victor, Jennifer.

Akkina Downing

Date: 12/3/2020 8:34:00 PM

A beautiful poem of a lovely family...

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/4/2020 9:45:00 AM

Hi Akkina a wonderful comment - thank-you very much indeed. Keep safe and well. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 12/1/2020 2:34:00 PM

Hello Jennifer … what a wonderful way to welcome summer; with family, fine food, so yes, family is the beacon that lights up happiness - thank you for your heart warming verse Jennifer - Lindsay

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/2/2020 1:12:00 AM

Yes, it felt like we were commencing with a Christmas spirit - everything was just perfect that evening and of course we only entertain outside - too concerned to bring anyone inside and definitely much too concerned with family. Lindsay thank you for a lovely comment - hope no fires this summer. Blessings and hugs my friend, Jennifer.

Paul Callus

Date: 12/1/2020 11:19:00 AM

What lovely images you have projected, Jenny! While your weather gets hotter, ours becomes colder! It is awesome to see the closeness of families. May you all enjoy each other for many years to come. ~ Warm regards and hugs, my friend. // paul

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/2/2020 1:05:00 AM

Hi Paul, you talk from your heart and I know how heartfelt your comment is. Congratulations my friend with the Anthology Book to be printed, now we do have a legacy to hand down! Warm regards, blessings and Hugs - Jenny

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 11/30/2020 6:24:00 PM

You're making jealous Jenny, what a lovely setting you describe reminding me of Braai's we had when on hols in your lovely country, there was something special about an African Braai. This is a lovely piece with such a gentle flow, a blessing to read indeed. Blessings and hugs,Gordon

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 12/1/2020 6:11:00 AM

Thank you Gordon a wonderful comment so heartwarming. Yes Africa is Africa, have grown up here and have lived in Zimbabwe and Zambia as well - loved Zambia. Stay well, how is Corona doing where you are? Hugs and blessings, Jennifer

Silent One

Date: 11/30/2020 5:33:00 AM

There is nothing more important than the love of a family and your poem highlights the love you all have.. Thank you taking us through your family time...

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 11/30/2020 10:02:00 AM

Thank-you for a wonderful comment Silent One, especially parents and children and grandchildren. I don't think either young couple will have children, they say it's cruel to bring a child into this chaotic world and this is just the beginning. Take care my friend and be safe, blessings and hugs. Jennifer.

Alexis Y.

Date: 11/30/2020 1:07:00 AM

WoW! Jennifer, What a beautiful and amazing day you have had with your dear family. You described the setting, food, and surroundings in a lovely and heartfelt way. My dream is to visit Africa one day( it's on my bucket list!). I agree with your title, family is everything! Thanks for sharing such a write my friend from across the pond. Enjoy your day:-) Alexis

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 11/30/2020 9:54:00 AM

Alexis you are such a sweetie, I think we should nag Poetry Soup, to have a convention of sorts for Poetry members and their Husbands, wives or partners, and it would be a dream to meet everyone, I think I will make a poem and ask them! Hugs dear Alexis and blessings , Jennifer.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 11/29/2020 2:08:00 PM

A gorgeous slice of life. Wonderfully done. My only question is “what is a mealie?”

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 11/30/2020 9:51:00 AM

Thank-you Caren, So glad you enjoyed our family evening in our garden on a beautifully warm night. As for mealies, my husband told me that it would confuse anyone not from South Africa, very simply it's corn on the cob! And a braai is a barbecue! Hugs and love, Jennifer.

Besma Riabi Dziri

Date: 11/29/2020 1:09:00 PM

So warm is the whole aura with the scent of a tender love and a deep feel of sharing.. and a sweet poetess inspired to the brim spilling her bliss and blessings in a beautiful and genuine poetry! Always a great pleasure to read your beauties, soul sister Jenny.. Relish in the love and warmth of your family and loved ones. Warmest wishes. Blessings to you. Love and hugs.

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 11/30/2020 9:45:00 AM

Besma, I love this comment, all your comments are awesome, but this one is warm , just like our evening was. I feel very honored that you read and respond to my poems, your support, friendship and love is paramount on poetry soup. Be well, take care, stay safe and know that your friend is always here for you! Blessings, Hugs, and Love, Jennifer.

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 11/29/2020 12:52:00 PM

- Sounds wonderful dear sister ... from my icy November ... (I have acute tendonitis in both shoulders and it is difficult to write :( ...sitting in a chair with pillows under my arms :) - hugs// Anne-Lise :)

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 11/30/2020 9:37:00 AM

Norway must be cold, you must have very warm coats and gloves and hats for that icy weather. I am sorry to hear about you acute tendonitis in your shoulders, must be very sore. I had it my one ankle about 6 years ago, and I caught it from an antibiotic I had to take as I had flu! Look after yourself my dear winter angel, has the doctor given you medicine and are you going to physio? Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 11/29/2020 12:30:00 PM

What a beautiful day you had Jennifer, perfect. You're right, family are indeed everything. Tom

Jennifer Proxenos
Date: 11/30/2020 9:30:00 AM

The day was warm and sunny and the evening mellow and comfortable. We had a cozy evening and it was just amazing, but of course the mosquitoes arrived uninvited but not too near as we had two lamps burning with citronella oil. Thanks for a lovely comment - best wishes and blessings Tom, Jennifer.