I catch myself staring at, what may look to you as only a watch. In fact, to you, this is just a watch. To me, however, it symbolises an excruciating amount of heartache, treasured memories and roars of laughter. You see, on my wrist I carry someone else's watch. I forced him to offer it to me as a gift, and he did. (To the previous owner of this watch, I know this isn't exactly the truth, but it makes for a good story)

I utilize only the right side of my brain. I can't do maths or science or any of those things that society uses to classify you as being an intellectual human being. I thrive on language, creative ideas, any form of art and I find my entertainment, solace and comfort from people that surround me. When I look at this beautifully crafted watch on my wrist, snapshots of memories (good and bad) fill my headspace. Time...the word itself is short and powerful, as is its meaning. It's quick to pass and at times shows no mercy by displaying it's cruelness, however, it also brings healing, clarity, comfort and new beginnings.

Time to reflect...

The first picture frame I see is of me as a five year old. Neatly dressed in my pink princess like dress, white bobby socks with lace trimming and my, oh so beautiful, shiny patent leather shoes (perhaps this is where my love for shoes was born?) I am sitting next to my father who is dressed to a tee in his police uniform. He is showing me how to “bone” my shoes with a cloth. Lick and rub, lick and rub until you can see your own reflection in them. Looking back at me is a blissfully happy girl. Free from responsibility, free from disappointment, free from heartache. Just full of trust, full of hope and full of anticipation, driven by the thought of undiscovered opportunities that knows no boundaries, patiently awaiting to be explored.

Time to be free...

Hop scotch a few years to the next picture frame in my life's storyboard. I am sitting in a small hospital room. I’m approximately 19 years old. My brother and his lovely wife just lost their second baby. I am surrounded by black. Just that...damn pitch black if you ask me. My mom and dad make superhero grandparents.

They are broken. When I look at them I swear I can see their bones sticking out from their flesh. Excruciating pain and unanswered questions that will have a whirlpool effect in our minds, bodies and spirits for as long as we all shall live, became a cruel reality. Fast forward. Time passed and although the pain is just muted, it is bearable. Time brought comfort in this case and not answers, but it also carried a clear message shouting: “Time is short! Love thy neighbour dearly for as long as God's lease has not expired!”

Time to be healed...

“Out damn spot, out!” Lady Macbeth's words spin through my thoughts. If I could only get this useless washing machine to spin schmin. My washing machine replies in an annoyed whisper, almost as if said through one’s teeth: “I am brand new...if only I could get this useless, 27 year old, spoilt brat to read the manual.” O.k., I'll admit, I've never done this before. For this obvious reason, I have saved my friend Amethyst’s number under Domestic 911. She is a Proverbs 30 Woman. Truths Bob. Amethyst arrives at my house in no time (not something you'd expect of an emergency service in South Africa) sorts the washing chop, chop and sits down for a well deserved cup of warm rooibos tee. I've just gone through a brutal break-up and am trying desperately to kill time. The best that I could come up with was to smoke as many menthol cigarettes in as short period of time as possible and to join the wonderful world of the social networking, Facebook. Give me a break! I was heartbroken...couldn’t think straight.

Amethyst: “In for a laugh my friend?”

Amber: “Fudge yeah”. My voice sounds like chalk on a black board. I realize that menthol cigarettes are still cigarettes. Crap.

Amethyst: “Search my brother's profile: Basie Bezuidenhout.”

I carefully type in the name and land on Basie's Facebook profile.

Amber: “He's a cutie!”

Amethyst: “Browse through his friends. You will not believe your eyes.”

Apparently, Basie and his friends had a competition running to see who could pull the most "Slappers" (for those of you and my mother who are not familiar with this lingo, a "Slapper" is the opposite of a well-behaved girl. Other girls want to slap them, hence the name “Slappers”. Hope this helps) It was clear that Basie went home with the trophy.

I punch in the words of my first ever message to, whom would soon become, my soul mate and best friend. It read: “You should put an X-rating on your friend list. Children might see this you know. Amethyst and Amber” His reply: “So you are spending time with the coolest girl in the world? (Amethyst off course). Just a quick look at your profile picture...definitely a mermaid. A friend of Amethyst is a friend of mine. The B-man.

ADD FRIEND. ENTER.

Time to make new friends...

B-man is by far one of the coolest guys you'll ever meet. He is intellectual, successful, and soft spoken at times, but mostly loud and free spirited. He can't stand it when people are cross with him and he makes it his business to cheer you up when life gets you down. His favourite things are golf, expensive shoes and watches, children, Rhapsody's Menlyn and a Wimpy cheese burger with a strawberry milkshake on a hangover. I love everything about him. His boyish eyes, his sharp sense of humour, even the fact that he is always late for your party because he attended 2 other more intriguing functions just before yours. Perhaps this is because he lost his sense of time...GET A WATCH!

For the single ladies...sorry, I know he sounds like a catch, and he surely is, but unfortunately he also suffers from the commitment pandemic that faces our men today. B-man, a mutual friend of ours who loves fishing told me it is admirable to catch and release. I wonder if the same fish can be caught twice. They say it can't easily be done. I dream to differ.

Time to believe in something beautiful...

The time has come to end this article before you pop a vein in your eye from excessive reading. Time is short and should be treasured. Whether it is to spend more time with your loved ones, working through the loss of something dear to you or enjoying and embracing happy moments! Life is a song; the words are just a bit difficult to sing at times. People will break your trust, friends will disappoint you, and love will fly away. This is a given. But the other most important thing that I know is cast in stone is that there will always be the audacity of hope. Keep hoping and make things happen! Live Life!

Time to dream...

Later we speak.
Amber
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