Sometimes people enter your life quietly... and for a while you
don’t realise their unobtrusive presence. But as time goes by, your
relationship grows and you start to understand the enormous significance of
your mutual dependence, the synergy between you.
Such is the relationship I have with Amelia who works as a
cook in our kitchen. She started off as a cleaner, but I soon realised that her
nurturing spirit would be so appropriate and aligned with the food we prepare
and serve to our guests. I started training her as an assistant – and what an
assistant she has become! She observes my every move and anticipates my very
thoughts. At every turn she passes what I need and when things get tough she’s
the one with a level head, never looses her temper, never fails to deliver.
It is not surprising then, that when Amelia comes back to
work after a well-deserving break, everyone jubilates and hugs her on arrival,
myself included. It is just so comforting to have ‘Mammetjie Amelia’ back…
because we all love and care for her so much.
