Hello, There! Greetings From South Africa.

A Brief History (Her-story)

My Youth.

Looking back on my life, my childhood stands out as the foundation for what I am now; my memories, enhanced by a kaleidoscope of images, have given me plenty to write about, and what an enjoyable journey it has been, to go back in time. The stories are published on Medium and the plan is to self-publish a book this year.

It was my brother, JimX who introduced me to writing by suggesting I record my memories, for his benefit as well as for family and friends. It was he who introduced me to Medium, and I have him to thank that I am here today, writing a self-introduction for Illumination.

I have always loved to read: Autobiography, biography, history, historical novels, travel, and classics such as “Treasure Island” and “Jane Eyre”. I can quite happily read all day and willingly lose myself in the world of the characters I am meeting on the pages; when the last page is reached, a sense of loss comes over me: it’s like saying goodbye to people whom I have come to know; a character I would have loved to meet. That’s how it goes, even in life all good things come to an end!

From the Wilderness to Towns.

For the first nine years of my life, my family lived in a unique wilderness, our home was on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, opposite a vast floodplain filled with a diversity of fauna and flora, a source of wonder; another benefit was growing up with an awareness of the unique culture of the indigenous people around us, a way of life which continues today. My stories are reinforced by countless family conversations held over the ensuing years; we never forgot our ‘bush’ home.

Developing an Independent Character.

In this remote place nestled beside the river, I developed independence of character and an interest in wildlife and living things, creatures great and small; I stepped out the front door into a world of little creatures awaiting discovery in our front garden. As friends were few and far between, books were a means of escape from ever being bored, and stirred my imagination; my regular playmate was my younger sister and we shared many carefree days exploring our little world.

From Towns to Cities.

A move to a town on ‘the-line-of-rail’ introduced me to the wonder of the telephone, shops, schools and plenty of friends. A year or two in a boarding school hostel came at the end of my high school years, after which I chose, rather impulsively, a nursing career. Having read the life of Florence Nightingale as a girl, I had decided then and there to ‘go nursing’. My mother’s attempts to divert me in any other direction failed; my mind was made up. I had this rather romantic vision of ‘the lady with the lamp’ in my mind and that was it.

A Nursing Career.

Nurse training took me to the far south of Africa, to cities and new friends and experiences; I am writing my nurse-training memoirs and have completed a couple of chapters. After my training, I travelled to England, did the things young people do, eventually marrying and settling in South Africa, where four children and my career kept me happy and busy.

The Political Scene: Change is Part of Life.

At this time in my life, I was blissfully unaware of political culture and its effect on a nation and the individual. Aware, yes, concerned, yes, but it was in the background. Awakening and questioning came later; the reason, I believe was that politics did not impact my life; my parents were politically aware as change unexpectedly turned their lives upside down, just as it was to do for myself and my family in the future.

However, with a career and the world at my feet, or so I believed, the sky was the limit. Had I attended university, it would probably have been otherwise; it is at universities that young people begin to question the status quo unless you grow up in a politically active environment.

The UK: Never too Old For Change.

Having grown up in a British colony, it was in 1999 that economical necessities and the changes brought about by independence in our country turned my attention increasingly to the UK as a means of improving the quality of life for myself and my husband. We were battling on one salary, as my husband’s career of over twenty-five years came to an abrupt end with the changes taking place in our society. We survived a few turbulent years and I was working long hours with little reward.

My qualifications were already registered with the statutory nursing bodies in the U.K. and before I knew it, I was accepted at a hospital outside London, and off we went on an adventure, in our Fifties, taking our younger daughter with us; the other children were already carving their lives and careers in South Africa and elsewhere. Two of them joined us for periods in the UK, and two returned home, which leaves two who have married and settled overseas. Enter the realities of being a grandparent in a global village!

I chose this story after reading Mary Holden. Her story “Prompted by Tree” is brilliant, so here is to trees as a source of inspiration. My story of the stricken ficus was posted on 13th March 2020, the day Europe became the epicentre of the pandemic; I did not plan it that way.

My serious side: I saw the similarities between the seafarers in their sailing ships braving the ocean storms and the storm we are enduring today. How did they and their families meet the challenges of those perilous journeys?

The healing power of the countryside; and sharing days with animal friends.

A Story of Survival.

Life in the UK.

We lived for eleven years in England, I nursed in the NHS and cannot speak highly enough of the professionalism and the ethos of care I experienced. It was a brilliant move for me; I loved my nursing years and am glad to have worked in renowned London hospitals and made lasting friendships, I in nursing and together as a couple. We travelled to Wales, Scotland, and Ireland and benefitted overall.

After eleven years we decided to return home to Africa; we have been here for several years now, and are happily settled here. Our eldest daughter lives fifteen minutes away, and our younger son lives further away but is easily accessible; his delightful home is a special place set amidst maize fields; it has inspired five stories.

An Introvert or an Extrovert?

Whether I am either of these I cannot tell. I like to socialize, and nursing provides an environment where you are continually interacting with people, sick and healthy, from all walks of life; skills in handling people and rapidly changing situations are essential. I was never attracted to management positions, preferring to be in the middle of the action, with patients, nurses, doctors and others buzzing in and out the wards, providing the interaction one needs for a busy and fulfilling day. The thought of sitting in an office behind a computer working on statistics and attending meetings was anathema to me.

Yet, I value ‘me time’. There is nothing more satisfying than being on my own absorbed in my latest book. That is bliss, leave me alone for much-needed relaxation and I am happy.

Looking Forward to a New Experience with Illumination.

Tonight, I write looking forward to yet another new experience with a constructive and rewarding publication. I have already ‘met’ several writers since joining Illumination and look forward to meeting many more. Here’s to a bright future as a community; we have a new lease on life, born in the midst of a world in adversity; change is all around us.

Exposed to the burning furnace, the purest jewels shine the brightest.

Lynette Clements. April, 2020.

Thank you to Volo Vash and René Junge for alerting me to Illumination by highlighting /clapping my stories. I value your support!

Connect with me on:

Https://www.linkedin.com/lynette-clements…I will look at this link as it is not functioning. and update it.