Esmé het lank uitgesien na hierdie dag.

Esmé had long looked forward to this day.

Die sonskyn het oor Kirstenbosch-staproetes gedans, die blomme in helder kleure wat oor die tuin vloei.

The sunshine danced over the Kirstenbosch walking trails, the flowers flowing in bright colors throughout the garden.

Dit was lente, en dit was perfek vir 'n piekniek saam met haar gesin.

It was spring, and it was perfect for a picnic with her family.

Karl, haar man, en Leah, hul jong dogter, het saam met haar gekom.

Karl, her husband, and Leah, their young daughter, joined her.

Hulle het hulself geanker onder 'n ou eikeboom, 'n kleed uitgesprei en 'n mandjie vol lekkernye uitgepak.

They anchored themselves under an old oak tree, spread out a cloth, and unpacked a basket full of treats.

Die atmosfeer in die tuin was vars en vrolik.

The atmosphere in the garden was fresh and cheerful.

Orals kon jy kinders hoor lag en voëls vrolik sien vlieg.

Everywhere you could hear children laughing and see birds flying joyfully.

Vir 'n oomblik het Esmé gevoel hoe spanning van haar skouers afsypel.

For a moment, Esmé felt the tension seep from her shoulders.

Maar soos altyd, het haar telefoon begin lui.

But as always, her phone started ringing.

Sy het geglimlag asof niks die probleem was nie.

She smiled as if nothing was wrong.

"Ek moet net hierdie een beantwoord," het sy vir Karl gesê terwyl sy haar telefoon nadergetrek het.

"I just have to answer this one," she told Karl as she reached for her phone.

Karl het 'n bekommerde kyk gegee.

Karl gave a concerned look.

"Dis ons piekniek, Esmé.

"It's our picnic, Esmé.

Kan ons nie net vir vandag die werk laat vaar nie?"

Can't we just put work aside for today?"

Leah het al klaar tussen die blomme weggehardloop, haar hande vol madeliefies.

Leah had already run off among the flowers, her hands full of daisies.

Esmé het verskonend geknik.

Esmé nodded apologetically.

"Net een e-pos..."

"Just one email..."

Maar voor sy haar sin kon klaarmaak, het Karl sy hand uitgesteek.

But before she could finish her sentence, Karl reached out his hand.

"Kom, sit hom weg.

"Come on, put it away.

Leah wag vir jou."

Leah is waiting for you."

Teen haar beter wete in, het Esmé die telefoon aan Karl oorhandig.

Against her better judgment, Esmé handed the phone over to Karl.

Hulle het saam na die hoogste uitkykpunt gestap, vanwaar 'n panorama van wit amaryllis en pers laventel oor die landskap gestrek het.

They walked together to the highest viewpoint, from where a panorama of white amaryllis and purple lavender stretched across the landscape.

Ellelange rye van plante en blomme het in die wind geroer, soos 'n skilderagtige tapyt wat deur die natuur geskilder is.

Endless rows of plants and flowers swayed in the wind, like a picturesque tapestry painted by nature.

"Hier is dit mooi, né?" het Karl gesê, sy oë syne op die horison.

"It's beautiful here, isn't it?" Karl said, his eyes on the horizon.

Esmé het ingestem, vir die eerste keer in 'n lang ruk vry van afleidings.

Esmé agreed, for the first time in a long time free from distractions.

Leah het teruggedraf, giggelend en met blomme in haar hare.

Leah jogged back, giggling and with flowers in her hair.

Esmé het gehurk, haar dogter styf vasgedruk.

Esmé crouched down, hugged her daughter tightly.

"Dis pragtig, Leah!"

"It's beautiful, Leah!"

Hulle het saam die uitsig geniet, die son op hul gesigte gevoel en die vars blomgeur ingeasem.

They enjoyed the view together, felt the sun on their faces, and breathed in the fresh floral scent.

Esmé het geweet dat sy 'n keuse gemaak het, nie net vir die dag nie, maar vir 'n gesonder balans.

Esmé knew that she had made a choice, not just for the day, but for a healthier balance.

Sy het besef hoe belangrik dit is om by hul oomblikke van geluk en vrede stil te staan.

She realized how important it is to pause in their moments of happiness and peace.

Teen die einde van die dag, toe die son begin sak het, het hulle die piekniekmandjie weer gepak.

By the end of the day, as the sun began to set, they packed up the picnic basket again.

Hulle het stadig teruggekeer, hande vasgehou.

They returned slowly, holding hands.

En terwyl hulle stap, het Esmé geweet sy sou die warmte en die liefde van hierdie dag in haar hart hou, as 'n herinnering daaraan dat werk kan wag, maar die kostbare oomblikke met haar gesin nie.

And as they walked, Esmé knew she would keep the warmth and love of this day in her heart, as a reminder that work can wait, but the precious moments with her family cannot.