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Saturday, December 19, 2009

Advance Australia Fair

I stood in the galery at Carli's school at the end year prize giving assembly looking down at my daughter where she is standing up right and singing with her schoolmates the Australian national anthem. It reminded me of our/my days at Arcadia Primary and Waterkloof Primary.

It was my first time having the opportunity to sing the National Anthem and suddenly I was confronted with the option would I sing along or not..to be or not to be...conforming, accepting, disregarding, enjoying, embracing, forgetting... what shall it be? I experienced in those few minutes a mixture of emotions which I could not explain to myself and am still having troubles with. Gustaf standing next to me detected a shiny eye and gave a supporting chuckle and said, "Our's (meaning the South African Anthem) is nicer." To which I respond, yeah but this is also nice and has beautiful words.

Am I ready to let go of 'Nkosi Sikele Africa..' I don't know, I am soooo proud to tell people I am a South African and an African for that matter but here I am in a new country who has opened her doors and arms to us and is giving us an opportunity no make a new life for us amongst her inhabitants.

Maybe it rather has to be be, embracing the new and appreciate and remember the past.  One doesn't need to 'let go'.

I do hope some of you expats can identify with me and I would like to hear from you how you coped with all the unfamiliar emotions you are experiencing or had experienced.

Gaby often tells me we are sojourners, only passing through.  But the reality is that there are so many things and people clinging to your heart and to the soles of your feet.

'Advance Australia Fair' is the refrain at the end of each verse and it will become my heart's refrain...in time I trust...in time.

3 comments:

Ingrid de Villiers said...

Hmmm....I know how you feel Carina! Must say that I have tears in my eyes every single time I sing the "Star Spangled Banner".....I am really proud to be an American! On this note I must say that I love the song "Nkosi Sikeleli Africa" .......it is a beautiful anthem! remember I have been living in the USA for 13 years now and have been a citizen for 7 years...a little bit different than you...I am sure that you will sign the national anthem of Australia..."Advanced Australia Fair" full blast in years to come. Gaby is right...we are sojourners. I friend of mine told me once that the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof... therefore we can really live anywhere in this big beautiful world!

Martie said...

Well said, Ingrid; and Carina too. Must say, I sing "Advance Australia Fair" along whole heartedly, but often get a shining eye when doing so. Even after being here for 6 1/2 years.
I do believe God places us where He needs us if we allow Him to lead us.
But singing along on Anzac Day "God save the Queen"...that's a hard one. My dad would sit up straight in his grave....

Rina ... also Chester or Daisysmum. said...

It get easier the longer you here, but you need not forget where we have come from. Nice to see more SAfrican safe and well, adjusting to the ozzie way of life. Please come on over to my blogs for a visit.
Lekker bly
Rina