How The Idea Started
To me, the legacy of my mom's life was captured in the precious journal she wrote. After her sudden passing in 2019, it became my most precious keepsake. She shared memories from her life and our relationship, stories I would not have known about if she had not been brave enough to put pen to paper. With these books, I want to make it easier for others (mothers, fathers and war veterans) to remember and to write their own stories. I believe it will be of as much value to others as it has been to me.
Welcome
The Purpose of The Project
We’ve somehow unlearnt the sharing of our stories with our families. It may be because when we are together, we tend to talk about other stuff or don’t see each other often. Perhaps we’d rather go to a show than talk about ourselves. Whatever your reason, the result is that we’re losing our parents’ stories to the extent that when children, after the passing of their parents and grandparents, start to wonder about their lives, only to realise that it’s, sadly, too late. So, it might feel somewhat intimidating to write your life story. But believe me when I say it has tremendous value and will be worth it. Every story is different – this book wants to help you and your child to write yours.
Memoirs of your Mother
With these books, I want to make it easy for you to remember and write because I believe that it can be of just as much value to you as it is to me. Each chapter begins with a unique, appropriate work of art and poem that takes you on a journey through your own life as well as prompts for inspiration. The aim is to give the mother guidance without being prescriptive. The books are carefully composed, durable, and inspiring. In fact, they're a work of art that will become an heirloom. This will ease the challenging process of writing your life story.
Memoires
My life story for you, my child.
Come and sit with me, let me tell you about my life
Anné Pretorius
here we are, taking stock of my life
lived to do so many things, yet so much still undone
in wonderment of you and how, in time, your life will unfurl
and unfold in ways unbeholden within your own kindled tapestry of time
after all I’ve done has been said
I trust that these bequeathed memories
written and held between these loving covers
will guide, enrich and embrace you as once I could
for you I endear my weathered tale
encouraged to soak up or do with as you may
the feast of my befores now a table laid for you
nourishment, regurgitating my present and my past, word after word
anecdotes, from raw branches,
dried over time and given chances
burnt to embers for warmth and light
till ashes mark where sheaves once stood
formed within my womb
fashioned from my dreams
from seed sown, sheathed and grown
my long-anticipated pride finds, at last, release in you
Artwork by Marié Vermeulen-Breedt
Marié is a well-known artist and both locally and internationally adored. Several of Marie’s works form part of international companies’ collections, as well as our own Sanlam, Sasol, most banks, large companies and universities. She lives in the Eastern Cape on a farm near Adelaide. She has three children, Adelai (47), Japie (43) and Jean-Marie (30).