“It’s because of the rain, this makes the button of the umbilical cord pain as per Salina some thirty years ago” says Nana. “You too cried inconsolably and Salina, our char at the time had to console me – bless her soul - by blaming your crying on the weather. Let us hope the sun is out by tomorrow for the photo shoot.”
Pulani rocks her firstborn who has a mighty voice for his barely 8 pounds pulled in weight.
Tuesday, as Nana gets from the bus and walks the block to 220, sunlight dances on the water, the morning fastidiously fresh like the first day of spring. She finds Pulani taking a shower and baby Justin in the crib, sleeping away morning, with intervals of brain-wave activity that makes him smile.
At eleven Verity enters with a beanbag, furs, umbrella, lights and camera and turns the living room into a studio. Her bubbling over with excitement spreads and fills the house with happiness. Verity and Pulani exchange views on the process of giving birth, emigrating from a country where fruit trees grow in the backyards, chars clean the houses and look after the children. Between the click of the camera they talk about skiing, hockey and driving through snowstorms in winter, maple pancake breakfasts and strawberry suppers in summer. Timbits and chocolate milk left by Grandpa on the counter a welcome treat.
Baby Justin plays along curls on the fur yawns in the violin case, smiles next to the rabbit and as Verity turns the thermometer to a sauna degree as he enjoys the freedom without garment to show off his celestial body.
Pulani and Verity met as strangers and depart as friends.
Close to three Pulani turns Skype on and Baby Justin comes into full view. They congratulate great-grand mother on her 75th birthday and the proud as can be great-grand parents enjoys meeting their first great grandchild.
As Elsabe, a dear friend of the family once said: “Friends and family forms the bridge for a baby to the outer world. It must be a friendly bridge – one that excites a child’s trust, sealing a promising future with love.
On the 5:30 bus are mothers with babies in strollers, students and single, older people with Nana on her way home. “Sometimes,” ponders Nana “we don’t realize the concatenation of mankind and the responsibility thereof. Every action and reaction has an effect on our excellence that guards our divinity. Sometimes we have to look through the camera’s lens, move the lights to remove the shadows, pull the fur straight, letting go of the tensions. The camera searches for the joyous reflection in the eye, the perfect moment of heredity, for the camera doesn’t lie. It catches the aphorism in a small, opened hand and receptive ear of the little one.”
When the grey-haired bus driver nearer the towering Church of Our Lady, Nana requests a stop. She walks the stairs to the saints; as for today she wants to thank the world for great-grandparents, Verity extending a hand of friendship all the way from Africa, Pulani’s care and tenderness, strongly affected Justin, grandpas and the ever so good char, Salina. It takes, according to an African saying, a village to raise a child.
Nana lights a candle while looking at the statue of a mother and her child. She wants to thank all builders of bridges for children from the center towards the welcoming world.
* Photography curteousy of Verity Dokter Photography
* Photography curteousy of Verity Dokter Photography
SO beautiful, and ever so touching! I'm proud to have my pictures associated with your gorgeous words, and so grateful and honoured that you allowed me the opportunity of friendship and to capture baby Justin's fleeting newborn time.
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