Day in the Country.

Just beyond the cacophonous chatter, I could hear a faint sound that made me nostalgic. I extricated myself from the thrilling discussion and tuned in to the scene far away.... Aah, a rooster! Nothing like a rooster at 4 in the morning to remind you of the pleasure of farm life. As a child, I used to go trout fishing with my family for holidays and every morning I would awake to the sound of the rooster, screeching his message that the day had begun. Well, at least that's what I thought the message was. It could've been something quite different, like: "If I don't get it now I'm going to throw you out of the pen, you CHICKEN!" At seven years old, my mind was still innocent. So as I sat among my friends today, the memories of my childhood flooded back and I felt a deep longing for those happy, carefree days.

A friend of mine has a farm in Muldersdrift, outside Johannesburg and a bunch of us congregated there for the day. After a pleasant drive through the sundrenched hills, I eventually found the farmhouse by heading towards the glint of cars - shining beacons showing me the way. I had to giggle at my friend's directions: 'the farm on the right with the trees'...I surveyed the surroundings - a contagion of trees dotted the landscape. Needless to say, I was not the only one who took a wrong turn!

I glanced around at my collection of friends. Friends, whom I have known for many years. I felt completely content in this happy environment. I could be anywhere with these people and still feel ecstatic. There's something about having a close circle of friends that warms the heart. Despite the distance and time that elapses, we always resume from whence we left off.

Time has been busy, I chuckled quietly to myself. Three new babies had arrived in the pack. Crawling and scrambling on small shaky legs, little lifeforms splashed the garden with colour. Mummies and Daddies taking cherubs for walks, pointing to trees and the birds and the bees! It doesn't seem so bad, I thought, enjoying the scene whilst reflecting on my adamantly single life. Comparing the parents to their little Mini-me's, I could see familiar expressions bursting through their small faces. It must be wonderful to witness the blooming of life. Moving on swiftly, I rejoined the discussion!

The day was spent with love and indulgence. A feast of festivities. The lunch was delicious, the gnattering was constant and we even squeezed in a few rounds of frisbee and 30 Seconds. To top it off, a delectable carrot cake to further sweeten the day.

As I was cruising home - the darkness winning the fight over light - I wallowed in the memories of the blissful day. Suddenly it occurred to me, upon reflection of such wonderful friends, that they were all reflections of me. These friends display all the qualities in life that I so desire and enjoy. Therein was my epiphany! What a day and what damn good friends I have. What a way to remind myself that all is good in Lisi Land!