Of birthdays, regeneration after robbery, and ‘who has the keys…..?!!” |

Of birthdays, regeneration after robbery, and ‘who has the keys…..?!!”

Published by yojules May 2nd, 2007 in General

We’re 11 today! And today Elaine and I finished the money part of our BEE deal! We have a new server, lots of new pcs, and new locks and security throughout the offices. Grant is bonding nicely with his trauma therapist, and playing with his new cell phone and laptop, and dreaming about what new car he would like to buy himself when the insurance finally comes through!

It’s so interesting that out of trauma comes rebirth and regeneration! Out of a terrifying hour when Grant didn’t know whether he would ever see his little boys again, is born energy, light and newness! Grant and I were reminded about how precious our family is, and how grateful we are to still be together - the alternative just being too terrible to contemplate! Out of the shock and sense of loss all Avos felt when we realised our stuff was gone has come a refreshing renewal - the cobwebs are gone: all is newness, and out of that comes innovation and the freshness we’re famous for, once again!

I know there are many South Africans who, when faced with the scary reality that crime creates in our country, feel there is no alternative but to go to pastures safer. I must say that this experience has committed me to do exactly the opposite: unemployment and poverty are such crime-makers in this country, and I am determined to make a significant impact on those issues in my lifetime. South Africa, I’m going NOWHERE! This is the most important place to be to make a difference!

Anyway: enough of my soapbox stuff. We’re into week 2 of our ‘operation renew’ change management process: I still do not have a button for the gate; everybody is asking everybody else who saw the keys last, Clint can’t open any documents on his laptop, and Jeanette is focussed on trying to find the quietest spot on the Avo property to get her work done. OK, everybody: after me…..”CHANGE IS GOOD!!!!”

11 Responses to “Of birthdays, regeneration after robbery, and ‘who has the keys…..?!!””

Feed for this Entry Trackback Address

1 Carin May 3rd, 2007 at 3:40 pm

You okes need to back away from my remote…. You pack of wolves! You scare me when you want something!
2 nomsa May 4th, 2007 at 1:26 pm

Deep Jules Deep!!!Iam happy for you and Grant. The new computers are hot!!! It is like having a huge laptop you can’t carry around.
3 carlajo May 4th, 2007 at 1:54 pm

I am so amazed at how everyone has bounced back!!! I have been away from the office for a while and I can’t believe how much it has changed. I look forward to seeing what Avo has up their sleeve for the future. Love you all
xxx
4 Carin May 7th, 2007 at 9:10 am

Ja - I have to say that I agree with Nomsa; the new PC’s are incredibly sexy!
5 Grant Newton May 7th, 2007 at 8:08 pm

So Im sitting hear in PE after a very long day, started at 4:00 this morning, looking at the Avo blog site and wondering how the hell to reply to this blog. I suppose I really want to say somthing but not sure what. When these things happen to you, this is my third armed robbery (me being the robbed not doing the robbing … you never … know), reactions are all over the show.

I don’t really want to talk about it because it seems trivial, not important, just one of those things, much worse stuff has happened to other people, I should be just fine. But you have to accept that you’re not really,|: snap at the kids, kick the dog, switch between five different topics/projects/ thoughts in same amount of time and not concentrate on any of them. I know that logically I’m cool, fine, everything ok, but have to realise that I’m not, that emotionally it’s not really ok. (its still so hard to write this, seems so stupid Im fine kids fine every thing fine - I just came off the phone with a chap who is looking for a place to stay with his brother who’s fiance was killed in an armed robbery, so why the damn do i need to wobble).

Any case so many people think that when you’re feeling fine in your logical rational space that you must therefore have recovered? Not! The emotional stuff pops out some place else, and the poor dog gets it in the neck or the kids left bewildered ‘cos you shouted at them for some insignificant little thing.

So what am i saying? Allow yourself the luxury, no the right to feel shit, shaky and tearful - whatever. If you are an oke then hey, its ok to have a good sob. And if you’re a gal then punch a hole in the door if you want (ok don’t) just have a good swearing tantrum, but let yourself feel.

My mom is in England looking after an old biddy (94) who said on hearing about the robbery and my subsequent visit to a counsellor, shrink … that that is not how you deal with it, you must put it away, suppress it, you ‘don’t hang your washing out for other people to see’ - Silent Generation ha ha, I’m sure glad we’re moving on a little.

So when shit happens to you dont deny it, underplay it, or think that you must suck it up and be OK. So there is some thinking … thanks jules for putting up with my feeling and providing a place for containment. Thanks avos youre great, understanding and non judgemental.

And if you looking for the keys I got them.
6 Elaine May 8th, 2007 at 12:01 pm

Grant,the longer I get to know you, the more amazed I am at your strength. You have had a hectice experience, I cannot think of what I would do in that situation, yet you remained calm and centered and kept yourself safe for your family.

You are an incredible man, and worthy of respect in every way.
7 Tracy May 8th, 2007 at 2:33 pm

Hey Grant. Just think that you are amazingly earthy and sensitive man. It’s your very grappling with issues that makes you such an exceptional human being and trainer. I know that trauma is a complex thing: every past trauma hooks itself back to a previous, similar trauma. Why they have to all be dredged up when we are feeling so vulnerable is a bit of a mystery: one that I have often pondered. So, you just BE. Its’ going to be a roller-coaster ride with anger and denial and shock and perhaps some dog kicking… Just know that it’s ok with me. Thanks for stepping in for me on Sunday. Can’t describe what it mean’t to my family.
8 Judy - sister sledge May 9th, 2007 at 12:25 pm

Aish, Aish Aish, first time i have been on something like and once again am brought to the harsh reality that i am really in a cacoon - F………………..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sorry i hope this medium allows for a little ‘venting’.
MOving on..
I was with Grant when we had our first armed robbery, we were both working at Pizza Hut in Cresta Centre, wow what amazing fun happy care-free times mmmmmmmhh, I digress, and we were both sneaking Irish Coffee’s in normal coffee cups after our shift on a sunday night. In walked these guys and G & I had a gun to our heads and we were forced to lie down, keep our heads down and NOT to look around. No NO not my ‘windgat’ (afrikaans pronounciation) boetie he had his head up trying to see what was going on, which resulted in him getting reprimanded (that was nice) and soon enough the ordeal was over. *hold this thought*
So then i am putting kids to bed one recent sunday night, Ollie runs through saying you had better check your sms looks like Grant has been involved in an armed robbery ………..so my thoughts go back to our experience many many years ago ………… i go totally cold, i have a ‘windgat’ boetie, how how how is he, did he listen to them, did he …?, did he..?, did he …?,. So no he didn’t THANK YOU GRANT. He let these awful BULLIES bully him and we move on - THANK YOU GRANT!!! I LOVE YOU!!

Yes I AM here in SA to stay and hopefully one day, I too, will be able to make some kind of difference to the reasons why people behave like they do. I LOVE THE AVO ETHOS thanks for bringing me back to a good space, my day has been so aggressive, now i am breathing easy.
Cheers
Judes
9 yojules May 9th, 2007 at 1:57 pm

Hey Judes!

SO cool to see you actually on the blog! I can’t even write about how I feel about Grant keeping his cool - but I couldn’t not respond to your piece. He is still with us. I am so grateful!

Breathe easy, girfriend! We’ll make an Avo of you yet!!!!!
10 Sam May 10th, 2007 at 9:45 am

What an amazing reinforcment of how resilient us earthlings can be when it’s required. Yup, I have to agree, SA is the only place to be if we care for her future so lets all try to make it a better place every day. Let’s all look for some good in everybody we meet today, tomorrow, next week……..forever!
Keep soaring to new heights all you Avo’s!!!
PS. Hope you find the remote soon.
11 Carin May 10th, 2007 at 10:09 am

We keep searching in hope - but that friggin’ remote is so elusive!….

You must log in to post a comment.

Purpose

Building and delivering training solutions that empower people with skills and insight to make better choices and live bigger lives. Being brave enough to take on the challenges at a scale that makes a significant impact in SA and beyond