Esti says being a pastor’s daughter gave her some insight into valuable life lessons and people skills, which stood her in good stead for her chosen profession, occupational therapy. “I love uplifting people, developing skills and being a part of someone’s journey in life,” she smiles, “making occupational therapy the perfect choice for me. I graduated from the University of the Free State in 2005 and didn’t look back.”
Esti’s journey in the Lowveld started in 2006, after she was placed at Tonga Hospital near Malalane for her community service year. “That is where I met my amazing husband, HJ, and we got married in 2007. I worked as an occupational therapist at Flamboyant School in White River for many years before I started my own private practice in Malalane. I loved empowering and nurturing the skills I recognised in my young clients; it was so rewarding,” she says.
We went through a line of fertility treatments, and had two miscarriages,” Esti explains. “And then, in 2014, we received the best news – we were pregnant again! With twins! Identical twin boys
In 2011, beautiful Leilah was born, but it wasn’t plain sailing from then on, as the couple found themselves struggling with infertility. “We went through a line of fertility treatments, and had two miscarriages,” Esti explains. “And then, in 2014, we received the best news – we were pregnant again! With twins! Identical twin boys. We were so happy, we named them Henk and Ruben.” Unfortunately, at thirteen weeks, Esti’s doctor told her he had concerns about Henk, that he didn’t seem to be growing as he should.
The couple were referred to a line of specialists in Pretoria and Cape Town to try and figure out what the problem was. “At 27 weeks we got the devastating news that Henk’s umbilical cord was no longer functioning correctly, and he was in great danger of dying in utero. We only had one choice; the boys had to be born. Their best chance was to survive outside of the womb. We were scared and uncertain of what would happen next, but we put our trust in the Lord. Our tiny babies were born, with Henk weighing only 790g and Ruben 1.1kg. We braved the long journey in the NICU with determination and hope, but also not really knowing what would happen next.”
Thirteen days after their birth, Henk was in trouble. He suffered heart failure and had bleeding on his brain, his life support was switched off. It felt like a bad dream, or rather a nightmare
Having recently moved from Malalane to Mbombela, the family didn’t have a lot of time to settle in and find their feet. Leilah was only three. “It was a very stressful and traumatic time for us as a young family,” Esti remembers. “Thirteen days after their birth, Henk was in trouble. He suffered heart failure and had bleeding on his brain, his life support was switched off. It felt like a bad dream, or rather a nightmare. The only time I got to hold my precious boy was in his dying moments, cradled in my neck. I sang to him, prayed for him and held him. He was gone. I will cherish those moments with him for always.”
Esti and HJ didn’t have much time to grieve or to work through their trauma. They had to carry on for Ruben, who was still fighting for his life in the room next door. They also had to care for Leilah, who didn’t understand much of what was going on at that time. When Ruben was discharged after 65 days in ICU, they tried to get their lives back together and carry on. “I was heartbroken and overwhelmed,” says Esti. “Our faith carried us through.”
As time went on, Esti found she had an intense urge to pour her heart and emotions into something tangible and to create beauty. “God led me to flowers,” she smiles. “I have always loved arranging flowers for my home and for friends. In 2016, I attended a wedding arrangement course at Zavion Kotze, which equipped me with so many skills. I discovered flowers made me so, so happy.”
Five years down the line, in 2021, Hartsblom was born. “My flower design business rooted deeply in my heart, hence the name ‘Hartsblom’. I could pour my absolute heartache and grief into beautiful arrangements, each one meaning something special to someone. Flowers create happiness; they carry emotions, either happy or sad. I love creating these feelings in arrangements and being part of it, especially when it comes to weddings and special occasions. Each arrangement is a unique opportunity to create beauty and memories. I just love doing that.”
Esti’s love of flowers is evident in the way she describes her work with them, the exciting and beautiful colours, aromas and textures. “Each one is so unique in its own way,” she smiles, “but if I have to choose a favourite flower, it will have to be the peony. This delicate flower only blooms for a month or two every year and changes colour from the time it opens to when it eventually dies.”
The family is a close-knit one, and they love spending as much time together as possible. Esti says she has been blessed with the most wonderful in-laws. Life consists mainly of arranging flowers in her Mbombela studio and afternoons with the kids, then winding down with a glass of wine in front of the fireplace.
“My husband is my very best friend in the world,” she laughs. “We love to go camping. One of my absolute favourite things in life is to wake up in nature, cook on the open fire and laugh with my family. Given a whole day to do absolutely anything or go anywhere, I would choose to stay at home. Our home is our happy place, our haven. We have so much fun just relaxing and being there.”
There is hope when all seems hopeless and there is beauty in pain. My favourite motto is written by Gemma Troy: ‘Her heart bloomed sunflowers, so she would always face the light
This year marks the 10th anniversary of little Henk’s death. Esti faces the loss of her baby boy with the solace of knowing that so much has blossomed in that time. “I do believe there is light in the darkness,” she smiles. “There is hope when all seems hopeless and there is beauty in pain. My favourite motto is written by Gemma Troy: ‘Her heart bloomed sunflowers, so she would always face the light’.”
