MARK & CAROL30 YEARSDecember 20th, 2010
ROBIN VOGEL
Today I looked up at the clear blue sky, and I smelt
the crisp fresh air, and I knew in that moment that
my world was all the better for loving you both.
Your continued love and kindness means more to me
than words could ever say. May your hearts be filled
with love and your souls be blessed with peace and
happiness.
Congratulations on this special day of 30 years of
marriage.
Robin xxxxxxxxxxxx
GAVIN VOGEL
I’m really struggling to come up with anything. It’s easier to write something about relative
strangers. Mark and Carol are so much a part of who we are, it’s tough to come up with anything
specific. We’re extensions of them, and possibly they of us. Our lives were so interwoven – a
wonderful, intimate, shared experience. It’s really been tough seeing them – and the rest of you guys
– so little in recent times. We dream of the day we can get together more frequently. But boy!
at least we have a bunch of awesome memories. We would have loved to have been there to
share this milestone of love with them. As you know, we were at Katberg for
the honeymoon all those years ago! So, all I really have to say is – thank you for all the memories
Mark and Carol, and more importantly, thank you for your profound influence on
us as people.
Have a great anniversary, and we will be with you in spirit.
Lots of love
Gav
LINDA VOGEL30 years is almost as long as I have known you! We did a lot together and shared a lot
over those 30 years. Of course Gav should be writing this as he does have a better way
with words than I, but he is away, and we did not plan ahead. Oh well! Maybe he has sent
something as well. I really did need to have spent more time on this as once I started looking for
old photographs so many memories came flooding back. These are just a snapshot.
So it started with the Honeymoon we all shared with you, wonderful concept. What
followed amongst others was the Otter Trail Hike (the first hike for Gav & I), the trip to Joburg
and Durban, when Carol's suitcase wouldn't fit in the boot of the car so she just emptied all
her stuff directly into the boot... New Years Eve at Eagles Ridge (we have countless
photographs of people downing tequila) to Easter Weekends in PE. The one photograph is, I think,
a three way argument, around "Pass-Out". I remember one year we had the deluxe accommodation, the
servants room, and another when we had to share a caravan with Peter & Teresa and Klaus & Penny.. The
Easter weekend at Lorraine was brutal... from Peter Norman sleeping rolled up in the rug on the lounge
floor, to people drinking like gazelles out of the baby pool, to Pete being carried up the stairs to
our flat and then Gav spending the following two days in bed. Weekends at Hogsback with the Hicks's, what a sad amount of snow that was. Kelly
and Leah's wedding does also warrant special mention. you have only to look at the photograph. There were lots of other wonderful times...
Weddings, Christmas, Music Evenings, Tea and Scones on the beachfront, Jon & Mattt, Trivial pursuit (we all thought we were quite good until we
played with Kelly), times with Ron & Kathie and Pete & Nettie.
And then the more recent past... the arrival of Ben & Beckie (wow, those two got on well together) and then Oliver... around the pool at your house
and times at Plett and Begha. Walks on the beach, swimming, braaing etc. etc. I could go on and on.
The only regret in all of this has to be the last 8 years and how little we have seen of each other. We love and miss you very much! Have a
wonderful time at Katberg. We wish we were there with you!
Linda (and Gav, Ben & Oliver)
PETER & LYNETTE VOGEL
Well Mark and Carol, how many years is it now? We really wish that we could be with all of you at this time of year. We know that it
is special in many ways, Memorial, anniversary and being together as a family. Peter has many fantastic memories but going on
honeymoon with you guys stands out as one of the best. From there it is the many drinking games and crazy times at the mount
pleasant house that he can't remember but only hears about. But seriously, for us it is the many wonderful times we spent together
as a family at the Vogel house, be it just swimming, braaing or just having a music evening together. These are some of the most
important memories and character forming days of our life. I met two people who were so positive about life and so wise, I had
never met people like this before. Carol was the first artist I had ever met and I felt in awe of her! She was also the first person I
knew that could do so much, almost all at once, and still laugh heartily about silly thing that had happened to her. I loved her from
the word go and hoped one day to be just like her when I got big! It is because of you Carol, that I started ceramics and it is one of
my passions in life. We loved the way mark and carol brought up their children and it has stood us in good stead with our own child.
I always hear Mark's wise words, "just keep them talking to you and show them you are interested (even if it is mind-numbingly
boring), and you may keep them talking to you when they have problems, and get them through tough times." We love the
relationships Mark and Carol have with their children, and they paved the way for us when we thought of adopting Hannah! Becs,
you are a blessed child. Thanks for coming into our lives and thanks Mark and Carol for this child! You took this little girl with no
question and love her deeply. Thanks for the boys who have been such an important
part of our lives in Cape Town. They are well rounded and beautiful and a testimony to
your good parenting. They have given us many evenings of laughter and entertainment.
Markie, we love you so much! You are so gentle and loving, so deep thinking and wise. Hannah adores you and we love you
deeply. Yes indeed, this was a match made in heaven!! Have a fantastic day and know that
we are with you in spirit.
Nettie, Pete & Hannah
SUSAN SHEPPARD
We always enjoy being with you and have
especially fond memories of a great trip to Addo
in 2008. Carol was recovering from surgery and
as always, it was very evident how much Mark
and Carol love and respect each other, support
each other and bring out the best in each other.
“Two are better than one because when on falls
the other can lift him up” – you have mastered
the ability to lift each other up in love and the
result is always a joy to those who are fortunate
enough to be around you. May you enjoy many
more wonderful years together and always
celebrate the beauty in everyday things.
We love you lots! Sue and Shaun X0X0X
PAULINE NORMAN
Happy 30th wedding anniversary, Mark and
Carol. May you share many happy years
together! Dad and I loved sharing your
honeymoon with Mark's family and his
father. It was wonderful to be with the
happy bride and groom who are such a
loving couple.
I will be thinking of you all on the very
special day and wish you all lots of fun and
joy.
Love to you all,
Great Granny Norman
THE KIDS
JON MATT BEKAHThey made an epic decision in 1981,
As if done with fun, they said, “Let’s have a son!”
They called him Jon, tho they loved the name Matt,
I got the backup name, due to Matt the cat!
Very soon they noticed that their life had changed:
Fancy carpets were saved by catching vomit from range.
Rats were being licked, Avocados devoured,
By Thundercats and BP bikes this kid was powered.
But the three of them very soon became four,
And together they set out, the world to explore!
Travels in the bus were memories best,Kruger Park, surf trips, and all the rest.
X-mom: hyperactive, action obsessed.Big Scum: loyal, affectionate and stressed!Are you the kind of person, who faces life
head-on?If you are, then you got it from you Dad &
your Mom!
You thought the second born, would be a breeze
The first flew from the cupboards, just to please
But soon you were shocked, to discoverThat this one was very different, to the
other.
When we moved to solid food, it all went south
The veggies never stayed, in his mouthMom thought to let him starve, would be a
sinSo gave in to eating fruit, from a tin.
They assumed that name brands, would be
desiredBillabong, quicksilver, Oakley-inspired
But never did they stop, to considerCross & Blackwell, Koo, All Gold ... or
thinner.
Then there was the new carpet, the black paint
And the breaking of the turntable, Dad went faint
But through it all, the thick and thinI can’t believe how great, you both have
been.
Two boys was cool, but just wasn't enough...
Dad & Mom tho’t let's c how we can make things tuff!
Besides, only one thing could rock Dad's world:
A cute, smiling and innocent baby girl.
Jamming in the garden, never leaving the pool...
Oversized shoes and shades keeping her cool.
Her drawings proved she was clearly arty,
Holding her own in two-cuz Birha mosh parties.
The horse addiction and the dinosaur craze,
Had Dad and Mom hoping it was just a phase.
She didn't like walking and she hated to hike,
And to this very day she can't ride a bike.
She hates to practice, but music is her passion,
Clearly she's picked up on the Vogel fashion.
Yes, she was different but she was loved just the same.
Despite their new grey hairs, they'd do it all again!
THE DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW
ANDI CINZBut the only constant in this story is
change,Something new was brewing; something
strange!Things once fictional soon became fact,
Let me introduce you to the age of the Cat!
All things precious, tender, cute and petite,Infiltrated the family, quieter than Kitten-
feet.Soon Jon was writing love notes and
abusing the phone,And Namibia ended with him pining for
home!
But as always Mom and Pops just adapted,They loved and accepted, this girl that Jon
had attracted.And so dawned the era of the “sex
detective”,A thankless job, but highly effective!
Parties with friends around the “Beach Boys Pool”,
Valley Harvest lunches after Pops finished school,
An awesome Wedding day and never-ending support,
Many a lesson this Vogel girl has been taught!
Yo, sitting at home on my Saturday night.What's out there for me to excite?
Til’ I met the Vogel's square,By the way, what an awesome pair! (Carol
and Mark)
Every night there till late,Getting cozy at 58.
Mark thought I’s there for his tunes,Carol thought it's cos they were loons.
No it wasn't tunes, loons, buffoons, baboons... or Emily,
I's there for only one member of the family!
All the chess, hiking and crocket,Couldn't chase me away.
Anyway, please don’t hate my guts,You all have smashing butts.
I'm here to say sorry, Oi,Thank you for letting me have your boy.