ART FRIENDS
Through all the years and various interests and hobbies, I have been blessed to make a number of wonderful friends. They have all been ART FRIENDS.
A TIME FOR EVERYTHING AND KEEPING UP WITH ART FRIENDS
Thinking back on the amazing friends I have made over the years, got me thinking of Ecclesiastes 3. It is so true that there is a time for everything, and this is so obvious when looking back on all the hobbies and interests I have had over my lifetime.
Not only the hobbies but also the friends who shared them with me.
The friends that have been with me through thick, and thin. The dear souls with whom I have laughed and cried. Enjoyed the privilege of sharing joys, sorrows, and confidences over so many years.
There have been gardening friends, mahjong friends, book club friends, quilting and sewing friends, crafty friends, and each one of these friends has been #artfriends.
ART FRIENDS – FRIENDSHIPS THAT LAST THE TEST OF TIME, AND DISTANCE
One of the many things one has to get used to being in the ministry is the constant moving about. Although it is an exciting time it is also very disruptive to family life, and disconcerting. Doubts and fears come into play.
I once heard a joke about a minister’s child being asked where his parents were, and he replied, ” Dad is on his knees praying about moving to a new church, and Mom is busy packing”.
This is something I can fully understand.
Whenever there was a move afoot, due to a calling to a new parish, that is what it was like in our household.
The worst thing about moving was the dreadful feeling of leaving your friends behind, not knowing what the reception would be in the next congregation. One thing I knew for certain was that I would never forget the friends I had made, and would keep in touch with them, and this is what we did throughout the years.
As with everything, there are pros and cons, and it was the same as the system of moving in the Church.
We all, individually, and as a family developed long-lasting friendships, and it also taught the children to be comfortable and to get on with people of all ages.
ARTY, CRAFTY ART FRIENDS IN GRAHAMSTOWN
While my husband attended lectures at Rhodes University despite me holding down three jobs, one full-time and the other two, part-time. I still managed to have a wonderful time in Grahamstown.
One of the friends I made was Lorraine who taught me pattern-making which was very handy then, and also later on when we went to live in Port Elizabeth.
Matthew was always a very keen and accomplished photographer, and living in Grahamstown afforded many opportunities for great photoshoots. Not many kilometers from Grahamstown is Bathhurst and then further on is the lovely seaside town of Port Alfred.
At Art Club, I became friendly with Sandy Ward a true Art Friend,(who painted the picture of Grahamstown, which is at the beginning of this post), and she and Geoff and their little daughter Sarah spent many happy hours with us on the beach.
Sandy and I would discuss ideas of paintings we wanted to do. My little son, Warwick, and Sandy’s daughter Sarah, who was the same age as Warwick played happily in the sand and the two men would wander along the beach for Matt to take photographs, or just sit relaxing in the sun.
Sandy went on to study art at Rhodes but she continued to come to Art Club and we remained friends throughout the time we were there. Sadly I have lost contact with them.
Another artist friend from our Grahamstown days is now living in Pringle Bay and Maureen, Gavin, and their girls and we as a family have remained very close friends. This is a friendship that has definitely lasted the test of time.
Whenever I can, I go and spend time with Maureen painting, while Gav looks after us while we paint. What luxury, and bliss.
Maureen’s artistic ability is reflected in every aspect of her life.
OUR FIRST CHARGE 
The powers that be in the Church, decided that once the newly fledged ministers had their degrees, a good idea would be for them to move to what was then called “the Reef”, now Gauteng.
We were sent to a small town called Krugersdorp (dorp being the Afrikaans word for a town).
It was all very exciting, although daunting to be the new minister and wife, and by then we had two little boys and I was pregnant with our third child.
While we were busy unpacking all our goods and chattels, a young woman and her three little boys arrived.
When I went out to meet her as she came along the path, her first words to me were, “Hi, I am Kirsty Housten a member of the Krugersdorp Presbyterian Church, and I just wanted to welcome you.” She had made a meal for us.
Her kindness was overwhelming. Kirsty was to become my closest friend for the next 46 years, true ART FRIENDS,
We had so much in common, besides children. We spent hours painting, cooking up a storm, (she taught Home Economics, so had plenty to teach me), cake icing, sewing, and it was Kirsty who introduced me to machine embroidery.
She gifted me a Husqvarna Embroidery machine, and later a Brother Embroidery machine.
When we left Krugersdorp to live in Port Elizabeth, we kept in touch, and have done so throughout the years.
Most times when we went up to Krugersdorp on holiday, my trusty machine (Bernina) would be in the trunk of the car. I knew I could always have the use of one of her embroidery machines when I got there.
If and when I flew up, the machine would go with me, and I must admit to having to pay extra for all the fabric, threads, and other sewing paraphernalia that came home with me.
It was not uncommon for Matthew to allow me to go up to spend time with Kirsty. Especially when we came to Cape Town to live.
When Kirsty’s beloved husband John died after suffering a heart attack, Matt and I drove up. Matthew to conduct John’s funeral service and I to stay with Kirsty and help her with the garage they own. I remained with her for two months. Sorting out the multitude of business things that one has to do after a death.
The times spent with Kirsty were always fun, they will live with me forever.
TAILORING IN PORT ELIZABETH
After leaving Krugersdorp, and moving to Port Elizabeth. St. Columba Church was such a busy church. So much going on. So many opportunities for meeting new friends.
One of whom was Lorna. She and I would also spend hours sewing together, and then we decided to take our sewing to the next level and enrolled at the Port Elizabeth Technical College and learned to tailor.
What a challenge, and what a great experience. The only downside was the criticism I had from a few members of the Church for spending so much time with Lorna. It was frowned upon.
Fortunately, it was only a few, and when I began giving sewing lessons in the Church Hall for the members of the Young Wives Club, and anyone else who wanted to come, I think I was forgiven.
Another thing that happened in one of the many halls we had at St. Columbas, was gym classes run by another friend, Dot Redman. These were such a load of fun.
When we were about to leave to go to the next charge, Vryheid. A very small village in Northern Kwa Zulu Natal, I told Dot how much I would miss the classes.
Her reply to me changed my life. “You must begin your own classes when you get to Vryheid. With your ballet background and with gym training, you can do it.”
Dot really gave me the courage and affirmation I needed to attend training at Warmbaths which came up quite soon after we arrived in Vryheid.
Although I had a bit of opposition from my husband, I stuck to my guns and went.
This was a turning point in my life, as it gave me the confidence to begin my first business venture.
LOOKING BACK
Although moving around was not the easiest thing to do with a family, and all the changing of schools, Churches, and the adjustments in various ways of life, I have been truly blessed with the many wonderful friends I was privileged to learn to know and love very dearly.
If it were not for the very things I found frustrating with moving, these friendships would not have come about.
Naturally, I have not mentioned all the friends who mean so much to me, and from whom I have learned a great deal.
WHO OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Has been instrumental in changing the course of your life?
HOW WAS YOUR LIFE CHANGED?
By becoming friends with your friends.
WHY? YOU NEED TO VALUE YOUR FRIENDS
As I said at the beginning of this post, There is a time for everything. The time you have with your friends is now.
My beloved friend, Kirsty died unexpectedly. Her funeral was on the 1st of August.
Its heartbreaking the end of this story. It was like I was on your journey with you the whole while I read and its painful that at the end , your good friend died. You must’ve had a whole lot of experience moving around and making friends. There’s a saying that a thousand friends cannot okay together for a thousand years. This might be true but one doesn’t forget friends that made good impact.
Hi Henderson, You are right about the ending is truly heartbreaking. I was not sure whether or not to share that but to not acknowledge the passing of my beloved friend seemed wrong.
I was asked to write the eulogy for her funeral, and although it was difficult, it also brought back so many wonderful memories of the times we spent together during our long friendship.
There is nothing like true friends to help you through life. Thank you so much for reading my post and the great comments.
Kind regards.
Jill
I can very much appreciate also reviewing all the wonderful hobbies and projects in which I have participated over the years. I am very grateful for all the wonderful people I have met and interacted with as well.
I have also been fortunate to have developed and nourished a few meaningful friendships which have lasted for decades. One advantage of moving about as you have as a minister is to be able to be adaptable and flexible in dealing with new relationships and experiences. Learning to deal with uncertainty in a positive is so valuable a skill to develop.
I enjoyed reading about all the friends you have made in the art community. Your statement “Maureen’s artistic ability is reflected in every aspect of her life.” means a lot to be as I have seen that all that I have done hobby and careerwise has been a microcosm of my larger life experience.
Thank you for this wonderful article. As I reflect back a bit I remember a few friends who were extremely instrumental in being the role model which I needed at that particular time in my life. So much to appreciate and for which to be grateful.
Many Blessings and Love. Thank you.
Hi Joseph, Thank you so much for the really lovely comments on my post.
It made me curious to see what you have chosen as your niche. Will go and check it out. Having great hobbies and with that comes wonderful friendships, is a real blessing.
Wishing you all the best,
Jill
Wow! Very interesting to read about your story concerning the friends you made and the various challenges associated with moving about due to the ministry. May God replenish you and bless you abundantly. Also, sorry to hear about your friend’s demise. It is indeed daunting travelling about but sometimes leaving our comfort zones often comes with blessings that lasts a thousand years to come. I have met with some friends that changed my life. One particularly, Shane. I met him at a gospel concert and ever since then, my life has changed for the better. He helped me both spiritually and physically and I can never forget him. Ever!
Hi Ro, Thank you so much for these very special comments. I hope that you and Shane stay in touch. Friends are indeed blessings.
I have been very fortunate to make many precious friends in all the churches we have been, and among the community.
All the best,
Jill
Thank You for your insights. I too have moved quite often and felt rather displaced for a time but you are right that the new friends I have met after each move, made it all worth it. I am sorry to hear about you losing your friends. They are always with us if we remember them. All the Best, Krista
Hi Krista,
Thank you so much for the lovely comments. I know that my dear friend is always with me. She remains a part of my heart and mind.
It is not always easy to make a move, but it can be a wonderful opportunity of meeting new friends.
All the best,
Jill
Thank you very much. I like how you said There’s No Business Like Sew Business. My mom likes sewing and art and she has a lot of art friends. Some of them she stayed in touch with two and some of them she’s not in touch with now. But it’s nice she enjoys doing art with them and talking about art. Thanks for sharing about this because art is a nice thing to share with other people. Great website and take care!
Hi Jen, Thank you so much for reading my post and sharing about your mom with me. I hope she keeps enjoying her time with her arty friends, and I wish you many years building up close friendships.
We cannot do without good friends.
All the best,
Jill
I love your article and cant agree more. Friends are more important than anything in life. They are there for you through thick and thin and you share the funniest and saddest moments with. I would hate to be living my life without any friends. It looks life you are living a very happy life Jill and you should be proud of the friends you have gained.
Hi Darren, I am indeed very blessed by having such wonderful friends. Thank you so much for the great comments.
As you say, friends see you through thick and thin.
All the best,
Jill