The Restory Retreat Centre

  Week In The City When we go to the city - by which we actually mean large parts of Gauteng - our days are filled from corner to corner. Our paths diverge for most of the week. Matilda stays with the children where she just catches up and experiences something of their world with them: Eylene's new pottery studio in Johannesburg and some of the classes she offers there, lunch with Dane and Michelle and plenty of time with Ariana and Leon whose lives are gradually finding a new rhythm after Deidré's unexpected death at the end of last year. George stays with friends in Pretoria and offers sessions of the course in spiritual direction at Ooskerk. In between, attention is given to a persistent engine problem the bakkie has and donations for Die Restory are collected from other friends. Late Thursday afternoon we reunite in Benoni where Ariana fills our days and soaks up our attention like a sponge - taking her to and from school, swimming, games, chatting, swimming, chatting, bed...

  Joy In The Making Let's start with a short reflection that tries to express what today's topic is about. Perhaps you recognize yourself in it. There is a joy that does not shout. That does not wait for applause or stand proudly on a stage. That does not stumble over perfectionism or self-criticism. It is the gentle smile of someone who sits still and looks at something that came through their own hands— and is now alive. It is not self-pride. Rather, it is a sacred yes: an assent to the Word that created light, a participation in the Breath that lets everything be. It is not about achievement, but commitment. It is not even pride — it is reverence. When you give form to what has grown within you— a poem, a sketch, a loaf of bread, a word of comfort— then you experience that joy: not you as the origin of that creation, but as a friend of the Creator. And you whisper softly to yourself, like God on the seventh day: “It is good.” Matilda's joys George's The Conversation ...

  Art In Times Like These The Conversation  Elements From The Conversation Music  “I . . . ask the Lord  to give you every blessing and joy  and to keep ever fresh and young your ‘child’s mind’  which is the only one worth having.”                                                                                                                                 Thomas Merton George & Matilda

     Simple Pleasures: Grandchildren    The Conversation Elements From The Conversation Music Sending you peace and our love. George and Matilda

Eylene and Christopher built their wood cabin on an undeveloped piece of land that still have to be tamed. They are pioneering it with no water or electricity  Leon and Deidré converted an old cottage on the farm to suit their needs, while farming full time under harsh conditions. And then, one day, they are grown. With no real need of me. Busy building lives, houses, careers. Working on important relationships which do not include parental ones. I visit in homes where they do things their way. I listen to conversations where I am not included. In their lives they've had more than their piece of my mind, I'm sure. It is hard for me to find my balance on this tightrope they are unaware of. Yet, I look at what they are trying so very hard to do: finding their own feet, doing what they know or love best, following their instincts, as I so hoped they would. And I stand amazed and proud. They are grown and independent of me. Someone once told me tha...

My mother's tiny art work. Photo by Matilda Mother’s Day in South Africa. This morning, being a mother and all, I granted myself an extra half an hour of lying in bed. I lay thinking about my children, all three of them more than a four hours’ drive from us. I felt like thanking them for being the ones to bring me to motherhood. I left it at that, knowing that they will all call during the day and make this a special day, even though we have never gone overboard with this kind of commemoration. I then opened my journal as I do most every morning. From between the pages and into my lap fell a tiny artwork. A small cameo of lacey leaves and flowers set into a small card. The artist: my mother. How did it get there? I honestly cannot remember putting it there. Maybe during the move it had surfaced somewhere and needed to be kept safe in order to later add it to the collection I have of my mother’s art work. The synchronicity of it though made me sit up and take notice. Since she...

Image: ThinkGeek The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Susan. Be honest. What do you make?" Susan, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, You want to know what I make? I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute silence. You want to know what I make? I make kids wonder. I make them question I make them criticize. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them writ...

Internet image I, God, am your playmate!  I will lead the child in you in wonderful ways  for I have chosen you.                                                               - Mechtild of Magdeburg