Does Absence make the heart grow fonder? (Guest post by Janup Mudenge)

Janup is a dear friend and colleague to me. I asked her to write a guest post for my blog because she is one of my greatest heroines when it comes to motherhood. She lives in South Africa and her daughter in Zimbabwe. Like every mother  it is Janup's desire to see her baby girl everyday, to play games with her, to embrace her and to physically witness her growing into the beautiful girl that she is. Difficult circumstances have led to them being separated, but one day...soon...this family will be reunited. Their dream will become a reality, a beautiful reality.

Thank you lovely Janup for sharing your story with me and my readers. You so strong, so courageous and always overflowing with such grace and love.

Does Absence make the heart grow fonder?

This was a question I always asked myself, because I never had to miss someone for a long time. Yet reading your blog about your beautiful “Caramel” makes me realise that I miss my baby so much. Being far from Grace (that is her name) and having to experience her presence via photos and the phone does not make up for that. I know she is in good hands staying with her grandmother (Bless her!), who showers her with love, and this helps keep me at ease.  But I miss her terribly and so desire to be with her. So I suppose I am living proof that indeed “absence makes the heart grow fonder”!

I will not go into the detail of why I can’t be with her currently, but I am comforted that soon I will be able to be with her. The day she was born was such a beautiful one! She was a strong baby and eager to see the world, so I was in labour for only 5 hours. Her dad was so happy to have his ‘Gee gee’ in his arms.

The journey from there was a glorious one, as night shifts started, with dad taking the early one and I finishing off. Each moment made me fall in love with her more and more, undoubtedly what you have likewise experienced with your sweet Caramel. The first time she smiled…the first time she sat up…and the first time I gave her a bath. I was so scared to hold her fragile body, much less with soapy hands, and my heart was racing!

Now she is has grown so much (2years old) and is taking full advantage of her grandmother’s love, being the only baby there.  In fact she even looks more like her grandmother than me!

I love you Grace! God has kept you safe for me, and i just pray for more blessings over my wonderful family who is taking such good care of you!