It was my very first time to the Ice Rink, in fact, my very first time to Grand West. I know, I know - you would probably think that I am crazy to only go after 22 years of living in this city, well, I have no excuse. Up to the evening, I had no expectation and a sense of excitement sprung up. It was really what I had needed in this very upsetting season of my life. Cameron (one of the tenors) fetched me and we joined the others - who had been waiting patiently for those on their way to arrive. As usual, nothing is in the ordinary in BOD gatherings. As we greeted to say hello to everyone, a fanta bottle was put in my hand to something really funny with (which I won't elaborate on). My heart just smiled as I saw my BOD family. It is just amazing that we won't see each other for months but as we get together we just grow in love for one another from where we last left off. We were only a few from the choir as some had prior arrangements and others had death in the family.
I felt like a little child as we approached the queue for the trading of one of our shoes for a pair of skates. The ice rink was so full of teenagers and young people, obviously because it was Friday and also that it was holidays. The music was pumping with all the latest secular music and kids skating in circular motion just made my anticipation of what this feels like more and more real. Before last night I had ask for assistance in ice skating and boldly Ricardo took up the challenge to help me get my skating skills working. I won't lie, I was not sure if I was excited any more or if I was just nervous of the unknown. Most of us had stepped onto the ice and some had some restful time in the seats.
I had learned a few rules very quickly. Number 1, the railings is your friend. Number 2, do not fall with your hands out, I repeat do not fall with your hands out on the ice. For you will lose your fingers and the ice will be filled with blood. Now, you had immediately seen who were pros and who were somewhat just the friend of the railing. We had a lot from both groups. The railings were filled with people hanging on for dear life, so was the ice.
I had started slipping and sliding all along the railings behind Nadia and sometimes with Tanya. I had asked for tips and went through tutorials but I got no where slowly. First trip, second trip. Then came along Ricardo to help me skate and push me out onto the ice. Candice and Selina had soon helped as I needed all the help I could find! This was a very difficult process for me and I really thought about giving up. I literally touched and rubbed up against every person along the rails, apologising for my "hanging onto dear life" ways. As I went along I smelled different people, ones who had washed before they came and others who had just come from a long day of living and came to skate. People were falling, some were laughing. Others took selfies and some danced to Justinn Bieber's Sorry.
Candice and Ricardo, with Selina, would not let me go. They pushed and pushed until I could balance myself and do small skates on my own. Ricardo would be on one side and Candice on another - laughing. Haha I must admit it was hilarious as I was doing moves from the matrix to turning total different directions. At some some point I got such a hang of the "right left" motion that I just went for it, almost falling here and there.
The DJ guy had mentioned that someone wanted to say something. A young guy proposed to his girlfriend right in the cleared middle of the ice. That was a real cheesy but special moment right here for my first time at the ice rink. Next the DJ hit it up a bit as he put the lights off and music pumping. Obviously the young people went crazy.
Lots of memories were made. Lots of laughs had been released. Something I had needed. I bonded with people I never thought I would bond with one such a level like last night.
Towards the end we had finished off where we had started - at the food court. No one really wanted to go home, but most of the choir had to go home. Cindy had mentioned that she really wants to hang around a bit and she really looked sad, but unfortunately everyone was tired of the day and had to be home safely. Cameron and I decided to grab a meal at Steers to find Cindy at Milky Lane, because of Cindy's sake, we thought about chilling for a little while longer to keep her company. So we had ended our evening with deep talks about marriage and how we grew up in Christian homes and just about getting to know one another.
We were finally done eating and chatting and it was time to leave.
My highlights are always the reflection of what had happened with BOD that specific day, with the people I drive home with. What stood out for me was that we hardly spend much time with each other, and we don't get to hookup as much as we would love, but what we have is something that cannot be taken away. That is family love. We are really living out what our name means. All different walks of life, different cultures, different people - but there is a BEAUTY in it all.
Thanks so much for everything guys. Lots of love. Jammer ek is laat met die blog Nadia. ;)
Like my page on Facebook for more updates: Rowyn Coetzee
Oh and the song I attached to this evening was Lean On by Major Lazer and DJ Snake feat. MO
No comments:
Post a Comment