Our South African Christmas-2005

Our South African Christmas

‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through Jo’burg
Not a creature was seen, not a creature was heard.
The streets were all empty; the lights were turned down,
The masses have fled to the beach in Cape Town.

All but the Souders, ‘cause we are still chillin’
From a year that, to say the least, was fulfillin’
For we packed it all up and moved far away
To South Africa! Where we are challenged each day.

For Bill is a Fellow for Cisco this year.
He travels the continent delivering networking gear.
He visits his schools in the most remote places.
His biggest reward is the smiles on kids’ faces.

Cait’s a Kingsmead girl who works hard each day,
But on the weekends it is nothing but play,
From party to party and mall to mall,
She’ll have a big decision to make in the fall.

Jeff has made his place at St. John’s College.
Next year he’ll add Zulu and French to his knowledge.
He’ll be a “Remove” in a house called “Hill”
There’ll be many duties for this pledge to fulfill.

And Ma, each day, many kilometers she drives
Dodging taxis, running robots, somehow she survives.
First to school, then it’s food that she must hunt and gather.
Oh, for a ride with “The Babes”… she would rather!

Next year things will be different, it’s clear
As she begins to cycle and then volunteer
Her family is settled, things are in place
It’s now time for Mom to find her own space.

We decided we needed a dog for protection
So, Mandi, our Ridgeback was our selection.
‘Though her name means “Sweet” in the local tongue,
I promise you, our bitch is not always all fun.

Took Aunt Amy to the bush on the greatest safari,
Then we went on to Durban for the fresh calamari.
Had a beautiful hike in the great Drakensberg
Saw Bushman paintings on rocks, quite superb!

We really enjoyed our tour of Soweto
Which some in America would call just a ghetto.
But is has a cool vibe and here’s a fact hard to beat:
Mandela and Tutu lived on the same street.

We learned a lot during our stay in Rwanda.
The Genocide Museum gives one much to ponder.
We think about both those who died and survived
And marvel at this country that seems so alive.

How they have managed is a very good reason
Not to forget, in this holiday season,
That our daily troubles are so very small,
Compared to most Africans, we have it all.

So for Christmas this summer, we feel far away
But our friends from Brazil are coming to play.
We miss you all lots, but know we’re alright.
“Merry Christmas to All, and to All a Goodnight!”