We All Have A Story. We Are All Living Our Story. Here’s Mine… So Far…

Hi! My name is Blythe. At least that’s what people who know me call me. All my life I’ve been called a myriad of different versions of Blythe by people who were confused by my name or my accent. None so funny and diverse as what I refer to as my “Starbucks names” which have included Blaygag, Calthe, Bliathy, Blaph, Bayth and my personal favorite, Plytst!

Living here, there and everywhere

I’m a South African, born and raised but have been living in the US since 2006, Seattle specifically. Before that, I spent a few years living in Vancouver, Canada, which I absolutely loved. It was so easy to get outdoors and hike, climb, run or ski after work. I was also very fortunate to have spent a year traveling the world, living in a tent and spending the days mostly climbing and hiking. What an incredible adventure! Living with everything you need in a backpack (that was mostly filled with climbing gear) teaches you a lot about the joy and freedom of simplicity. I had an 18 month stint living and working in London and got to spend two months gallivanting around Europe. So many great experiences and memories from this time. Before London, I was mostly in South Africa. I lived in beautiful Cape Town for a few years before I left to travel and settle in North America. But most of these years, growing up and my early adult years, were in Durban where the warm, sunny beaches played a big part of my life.

Teen years, turmoil and tragedy

These years in Durban were filled with many happy, wonderful memories but also coincided with a time of much strife in South Africa. Apartheid was still in place and during my teen years in the 80’s, the struggle for change really escalated. There was much uncertainty, challenge and danger. There were bombings in shopping malls, bars and even at our school. There was nothing easy about this time for anyone. But it influenced who we were and who we became. It taught us resilience. In the midst of all the mistakes of the past, the hardships of the present and the uncertainty of the future, life went on. Good things happened, bad things happened and we pressed on. It was during this time, when I was 17 and in Grade 12, that we lost my brother, Luke, who was 21 at the time and my dad who was only 48. It was an unimaginable tragedy in which they disappeared at sea and we were left trying to figure out how to go on when life had been turned upside down. More on that another time.

Family foundations and unconditional love

I have been blessed in so very many ways. My travels and experiences are deeply treasured memories that I’m so thankful to have. I am profoundly grateful to now be a US citizen and be able to enjoy the life we have here. I was born into a wonderful family through no doing of my own. I grew up with two amazing brothers – Luke, who was 4 years older and Glen who is 16 months younger. My mom, Mavis, and my Gram were deeply impactful examples of living life for others. We lived simply and we had our challenges but our lives were wrapped in unconditional love. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized more and more what a blessing that is and how fortunate we were. I also have a younger half brother, Cameron. Although we didn’t have the opportunity to grow up together, in my heart, there is no half at all. He is my brother whom I love deeply. Truly blessed am I.

And a mommy I became, somewhat belatedly

Of all of the gifts that God has given me, without a doubt, the most treasured are my two exceptional children, Noelle and Benji. They’re not perfect. I’m not perfect. But they’re perfect for me and I’m so honored to be their mommy. I was a late starter. I had Noelle when I was almost 38 and Benji just before I turned 40. I thought I might have missed out on the parent thing and can’t tell you how thankful I am that it didn’t pass me by. It has been the most meaningful part of my life and the journey has only just begun.

Undeserved grace and blessings

There is another blessing, the ultimate blessing, that permeates all parts of my life. Jesus Christ, who is my Lord and Savior. It is only through Him that I have hope. Only He gives me the strength to press on when things are tough. When life seems unfair or harsh or bleak, I look to Him and know that, in everything, there is a plan and purpose, even when I don’t see it. In everything, there is something to be learned. In every situation, the people involved are all wrestling with their own struggles and no-one’s life is perfect, no matter how it seems. So, where you can, pick up a corner of someone’s load. Help them along their way. Share a word of encouragement. It doesn’t have to be something big to make a big difference. And wherever possible, sprinkle grace liberally. It’s not always easy. In fact, it seldom is. But try do it anyway. And when you fail, as I often do, don’t quit. It’s too important to give up on. The world needs it. We need it. Jesus died so that we could have it. Let’s pass it on whenever we can.

Turning fifty and looking forwards

I turned 50 in January 2019. It’s quite a milestone and definitely gives you pause for thought. Life has had some wonderful highs and some tragically, heartbreaking lows. I am an accumulation of 6 year old me, 17 year old me, 30 year old me and now 50 year old me. From the outside looking in, I have a pretty good, successful life. And in many ways it is, but in some ways it’s really not. People often seem to think I have it all together. But I don’t. Just like everyone else, I’ve got my stuff that dealing with, that I find hard, that I fail at. A lot of it. But, at this point, the thing that I find encouraging is that I don’t feel that the best is behind me. In many ways, I feel like the best is yet to come.

Reconnecting, reflecting and resolving

I am determined to find my way back to the person I am deep in my heart and soul. She has been buried for a while by the demands and challenges of life. I want my children to know her and most importantly, I want to live the life, and be the person, that God created me to be. One of the things that has been lost in my busyness is my pleasure in writing and creating and so I am determined to reignite these core parts of who I am. My blog is just one thing I’m doing. Really I’m doing it for me as a way to express the things on my heart, in my mind and going on in my life. Perhaps as a way of processing. I’m happy to share my ramblings with you if they’re of interest. Perhaps by sharing some of my experiences, they might be helpful or encouraging to someone, somewhere.

So, if it interests you, I hope you will join me on my journey through this life as I stumble my way towards Heaven. xxxxx