Merry Christmas from Robyn

RobynG Photography

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Dec 22, 2011, 3:51:44 PM12/22/11

to RobynG Photography

Dear Friends and family

It’s been a year of ups and downs, with the passing away of my 92 year old Mom, Ethel, at the top of the list. It was the saddest thing watching her degenerate to the point of infancy, and her eventual passing came as a mixed blessing. She lived a simple, uncomplicated life, with a great sense of humour (and eye for the men), and although she lived through one of the most exciting technological ages, she deftly managed to live without everything except the car, tv, telephone and for a short while a VCR! Her great sense of humour and ‘eagle eye’ kept the family in stitches over the years. The only consolation is the many friends and family who I know were on the other side, to meet her. I guess in a way, Christmas has lost a lot of its gloss, as there are more and more people missing each year. On the up, I’m happy Gwil, myself, Caroline and Ashley will be spending it with my late sister Linda’s girls (Lauren and Carmen) and their respective families. I’m just sorry my sister Patrish can’t be with us, but I was lucky to spend a couple of days with her recently in Kenton on Sea.

As I write, Anthony is boarding a flight from Malabo to Paris, then to Amsterdam and straight home – so by this time tomorrow night, he’ll be arriving at OR Tambo. I’m very blessed to have had this warm, kind, loving and generous man come into my life, and I give thanks daily for the steady hand he gently guides me with, and the slack he gives me to be myself and live my dream of being a photographer and most importantly, to be myself. I really couldn’t have done this without him. He is also my best friend, and a great travel companion, and our dreams of travel for the future involve many exciting + exotic destination.... our Bucket List is extensive.... and slowly slowly we hope to fullfill it. Starting January 12^th, we fly to Paris, then Marseilles, where we’ll spend a few days exploring the French Riviera, and then fly back to Paris on the 16^th. I have finally had all my Inoculations, Letter of Authority, Police Clearances, Visa’s approved etc., and we fly to Malabo together, where I will spend 5 weeks with him in Equatorial Guinea. I’m really excited, and although I won’t be able to swing through the Island camera in hand, with the ease that I do in Jozi, I’m hoping to visit the volcano, Bio-Diversity Centre and a few other places of interest, and hopefully come home with some original photo’s of primates, birds and other things (without being arrested!) I return to Jozi on the 22^nd Feb, and he will continue in Malabo for his ‘long stay’ for another 5 weeks. This will be the first time we’ve spent 8 weeks together on the trot, in about 3 years! His contract has been extended for another year, so time apart, interspersed with some travel (!) is the order of the day for 2012.

I hope my girls both find job satisfaction in the new year (Caroline) and that her career in the catering industry takes off as she dreams it will, and that Ash has a successful year at varsity, whilst at the same time continues to build her promotion business – our children have so much more opportunity and variety of jobs open to them than we had. More than anything, I wish them Love and Light, and a clear head going forward in any decisions they make. The ability to have ‘hindsight in the moment’, maintain a passion and enthusiasm for what they do, sift out the bull-shit from the real thing, understand the value of self, keep records, and whatever they tackle, to do it 100% or not at all.

To all my friends and family who have supported me both photographically and emotionally during the year and in the long ‘Gwily-Abscences’..... thank you. He was only in the country for 100 days this year, so your invites, dinners, lunches, phone calls, emails, coffees, Tweets, FB messages, sms’s.... you really do not understand the value of them. I love your enthusiasm and appreciation of my photography - I love sharing it with you!

I have a wonderful bunch of friends in the Joburg Photowalkers, and they really have been the wackiest, nerdiest, loveliest bunch of people – spending time walking the streets of Jozi, exploring the bowels of Park Station, wending our way through Soweto, or climbing Northcliffe Hill for sunset, you don’t know just how much I enjoy being with you guys ‘n girls, and the uncomplicated company and laughter you provide. We have also had sad losses in this group, and my thoughts are with those folk this year, who’s hearts will be heavy with grief. We’re a bunch of Avid Eaters Who Enjoy Photography, but more than that, we’ve got ‘gees’ and look out for each other. I look forward to exploring new photographic locations with you all next year, but first I will Photowalk Malabo!

And so, this ‘Gwilt’ Christmas greeting has turned into quite a personal reflection, I guess thats what happens with words, they just have a life of their own! I know that many of you are struggling with a variety of battles, issues, losses, heart-break..... I wish for you all a healthy and happy 2012 with the strength and spirit to tackle whatever it throws our way - who knows what’s in store for each and everyone of us, but I know that I have an amazing family and friend network, and my life is richer for having you all in it.

Blessings....

Robyn Gwilt

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