Greetings dear parents, teachers and friends of Gaia Waldorf School
I, along with a few Gaia colleagues recently attended the memorial service of a Miss Carolyn Holden, a parent member of my class who had passed away suddenly during our school Autumn holidays. Her friends and family had arranged her remembrance ceremony as a celebration of her life, a tribute to her beautiful soul and achievements both socially, artistically and academically. Carolyn was a highly gifted Spanish Dance performer, choreographer and director who founded the ‘La Rosa Spanish Dance Theatre’. She had received accolades for her numerous achievements and specific recognition for her development programmes with disadvantaged youth and communities.
The fruits of Carolyn’s labour of love could be seen in the dancers who had been under her mentorship and guidance. As the dancers performed in her honour at the memorial service, it was evident that she had played a pivotal role in their lives, igniting an authentic, intense passion for life and dance. It was clear gauging from the stirring performances of the dancers that Carolyn had helped to shape and change the course of their lives. Carolyn also changed the life of little Eli-Rose, whom she adopted when she was only a few months old. Reflecting back to last year when I first met the destined pair at their application interview, the joy and love that they felt together was so overwhelmingly apparent and will remain impressed in my mind and heart.
For mother and child to be parted from each other at the beginning of their journey together is undoubtedly not an easy destiny to chose. I am humbled at the greatness of spirit shown by little Eli-Rose.
On return to school the children in my class held Eli-Rose so beautifully and naturally, within the calming, soothing consistency of our Playgroup morning rhythm and routine. Happy news soon arrived for her, in that she had been welcomed into a family and although this meant relocation and an exit from our school and community, she will be gaining a loving mother and father and seven siblings! This seeding within a stable and secure home brings comfort and relief for all who know her and we wish her all the best. She has touched our lives and I am convinced that she is destined to make a difference in the lives of everyone she meets.
Many thanks have been offered and are due to Teacher Zoleka Mbontsi who has been there as a constant presence for Eli in our class, giving her hugs and love when there where rough days. Thank you Teacher Thandi Dila who supported Carolyn’s mother Barbara Holden by caring for Eli at the family home, often helping beyond the call of duty .
Let us love
Kelly Collier
Playgroup Teacher
“Strange is our situation here upon earth. Each of us comes for a short visit, not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to a divine purpose. From the standpoint of daily life, however, there is one thing we do know. That we are here for the sake of others…for countless unknown souls with who’s fate we are connected by a bond of sympathy. Many times a day I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labours of people, both living and dead and earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received”
Albert Einstein