RUGBY SOUTHERN KINGS VS HIGHLANDERS 34-27 IN OUR FAVOUR. RON; DANIEL; JOSHUA; JESSICA AND JULIA. BEER, COLDDRINKS, HAMBURGERS AND CHOCOLATES ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE OUTING.
J BAY BIKE PARK ON THE R102 BETWEEN THORNHILL AND GAMTOOS RIVER.
JESSICA WAS WITH US BUT OPTED OUT OF THE TRAIL RIDE
MAY 2013
J BAY BIKE PARK -- PUBLIC HOLIDAY 1ST MAY
ALLY PEARSON AND OLD GREY ACADEMY HOCKEY
LIFESAVING TRAINING AND TESTING
NICKY AND CATHY'S WHOLE FAMILY COME TO PE FOR VISITS
BACK TO MORNING RUNNING AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF INJURY
SWIMMING AT NEWTON PARK POOL
MICHAEL IN AND OUT OF HOSPITAL
MICHAEL NOT RECOVERING WELL.
JACQUI AND HER WHOLE FAMILY COME TO VISIT
DRIVE TO CAPE TOWN FOR ALLY AND JESSICA JUSTIN BEAVER SHOW
ACCIDENT AS I HIT A BUCK. WE NEVER SEE THE BUCK AND MY CAR IS REPAIRABLE AND WE ARE ABLE TO DRIVE ON TO CAPE TOWN AND THEN HOME AGAIN
SUPER RUGBY WITH SOUTHERN KINGS.
SURROUNDED BY HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS, MICHAEL TAKES HIS LAST BREATH.
HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD!
How great is our God
Sing with me!
How great is our God
And all shall see
How great
How great is our God
Age to age he stands
And time is in his hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
The lion and the lamb
The lion and the lamb
How great is our God
Sing with me!
How great is our God
And all shall see
How great
How great is our God
Then sings my soul my saviour God to thee
How great thou art
How great thou art
Then sings my soul my saviour God to thee
How great thou art
How great thou art
Some time ago I had seen an advert in Uitenhage for the J Bay Bike park. At that time I took a picture in case I needed the detail. Last weekend when Andre and I had been at Crossways we spoke about going to JBay bike park for a ride.'
Liz vd Merwe is injured and cannot run so she agreed to join us. I loaded the bikes into the bakkie on Tuesday evening and then Wednesday morning (1st May is a public Holiday); Liz, Gerrie and two children joined us. Andre took Lene, Joshua and Daniel in his car while Jessica came with me. Take the N2 towards Humansdorp. Turn left after Vanstadens River bridge to Thornhill, from there it is 7km past African Dawn and then you are at the Bike Park / Zebra Lodge.
We meet up with Didier and wife. This Swiss couple have been holidaying in RSA for the past 10 years. 18months ago they acquired this property of 120 hectares and began with building the Lodge and have developed it since then. Shortly they will be receiving a herd of Zebra.
We off load the bikes and receive a briefing on the routes. There are a number of routes for both Beginners, intermediate and expert. Josh, Daniel, Liz, Andre and I set off down the pathway. Josh and Daniel are in the lead. It is the first time that Liz is going off road. She has a brand new 29er which looks stunning. The two boys have cycled with me before but never off road. The trail takes the cyclist through narrow single track through the forest. There is nothing really difficult to navigate but some of the hills must be pushed. Just one down hill is a bit steep and I dismount to run down.
JOSHUA HAS A BIKE WITH SHOCKS AND GEARS. HE STARTED TO GET THE HANG OF THE BIKE AND GEARS BY THE TIME WE FINISHED THE 5KM ROUTE.
DANIEL HAS THE SMALL SINGLE GEAR BIKE. THE BREAKS WORK AND HE HAD A GREAT TIME ON THE TRAIL. HAD TO PUSH A FEW TIMES BUT HE MANAGED WELL.
We have lots of stops and a couple of falls but all fun. Finally after 5km we are back at the start where there is a jungle gym; trampoline and play room for children. We replenish water bottles and then Andre, Liz and I do the track a second time. This time we stop to look at the lodge which has a wonderful view of the ocean overlooking Jeffreys Bay.
UP AT THE TOP OF THE PROPERTY THE VIEW ACROSS THE ATLANTIC AND VALLEYS IS QUITE SPECTACULAR. CYCLING HERE WE HAD SEEN A KNYSNA LOERIE.
LIZ ENJOYS HER NEW BIKE AND THE FIRST TIME OUT ON THE TRAIL.
ANDRE TAKES A BREAK NEXT TO THE POOL
I JUMP IN FOR A COOLING SWIM
THE LODGE IS QUITE WONDERFUL AND EXPENSIVE FOR US BUT I SUPPOSE REASONABLE FOR VISITORS PAYING IN EURO.
We cycle back to the office and coffee shop where the group are waiting for us. They are having a coldrink and enjoying the morning. We had started at about 8;30 and it is now 11am with a temperature of around 38degrees. We have had the best part of the day for the cycle.
AT THE COFFEE SHOP THERE IS PLENTY TO KEEP THE YOUNGSTERS HAPPY AND BUSY
LENE AND JESSICA ENJOYED A BIT OF ALONE TIME WITH A COLD DRINK.
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I TOOK THIS PIC SOME MONTHS AGO WHEN PARKING IN UITENHAGE AND WAS JUST LOOKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE PARK.
Thursday 2nd. I am no longer suffering with the calf injury that held me back at Two Oceans 21. And I want to get back to running fitness. This morning I go out for the run with a sore knee. I am not able to even jog to the start. Mike agrees to walk with me and the fast group go off. After about one km of walking I realise that the pain is minimal and we jog up to McDonalds and back. Feel much better now and am looking forward to a weekend of doing at least 15kays. I want to enter Meiringspoort today. And have entered for Urban run and Muck run. And Knysna 21. I must make sure that I start to get running fit again. No longer can I do a half on memory. HUMANSDORP this morning after the dentist. Michael is not at all well. Been having fevers in the morning. Feeling sore and weak. And today this blood is so thin that he has internal bleeding. Barbara takes him to hospital. Oncology ward.
Friday Ron and I cycle around the park, not very exciting but reasonably safe and it gives us 45min of out on the bike. I have my last of three dentist appointments this morning. Joshua has an Asthma attack and LENE takes him into hospital.
This evening I continue with the Life Guarding course that I am doing. I have learned a lot. Particularly regarding CPR. Michael returns from hospital while Joshua spends the night.
Saturday I was hoping to go for a run but the weather put me off. Then took Ally to Hockey at Pearson. It was a Derby Day with Woodridge. Ally's team won by a last minute goal 1:0. From there we went to Gelvandale where Ally played for Old Grey Academy with Dean Gow as her coach. They played Hearts and again in a nail biting game won in the dying seconds 1;0 with Hanna scoring a flic penalty.
ALLY HAS A DERBY DAY AT PEARSON PLAYING WOODRIDGE --- PEARSON U16 WIN 1-0 IN THE DYING MINUTES.
AFTER THE PEARSON GAME ALLY AND HANNA GO TO GELVANDALE WHERE THEY PLAY FOR OLD GREY ACADEMY WITH DEAN GOW AS COACH. THEY PLAY HEARTS AND IN THE FINAL MINUTE THEY HAVE A PENALTY FLIC WHICH IS TAKEN BY HANNA == THIS GIVES OLD GREY A 1-0 WIN.
Ron, Julia and I spent the evening watching the Kings getting a hiding by the Australian Waratahs. 60:10.
Sunday 5th. Had a good session at LIFESAVING. Most of the morning was spent doing Box Line rescue. Learned how to tie the strap together, how rpto swim out with the line and the technique for pulling the rescuer back to shore. A big part of Life Guarding is being able to communicate over the sounds of surf and over distances. Sign language is critical as this can make the difference between a successful rescue.
Josh returns from hospital with an exhausted Lene.
Monday 6th. I try to run this morning, my knee is sore but fortunaely a pregnant Svenje is also keen for a slow jog / walk so we go around Linkside. At lunch time I manage to have a 1000m swim with no pain. Much better than running at the moment.
Tuesday morning; try to run but with a sore knee and Svenje with a sore foot we just walk around Grey. This afternoon we leave for Cape Town at about 3;30pm. Jessica and Ally are going to see a pop singer -- Justin Beaver at the Cape Town stadium with Nicky. We have a good drive to Swellendam but it becomes dark at around 6;30 and I decide to take the pass across from Swellendam to Ashton as this is an easier approach to Nicky's house. As we come over the pass on the Ashton side I hit a buck. It is not a big animal but it is in the middle of the road and it is too late to avoid it. So I hit it head on with no time to break or try to avoid it. Fortunately at this time I am alone on the road with no oncoming traffic.
AFTER THE ACCIDENT WE HAD TO TIE THE BUMPER UP. REMOVE THE UNDER CARRIAGE COWLING AND PROP UP THE RADIATOR.
I manage to control the car and stop to inspect the damage. No flat tyres. But the under carriage and front fenders are all smashed. The parking lights on the passenger side are finished. There is a cowling under the car which is torn loose and dragging on the road. There is nothing that I can do on the side of the road in the dark so we drive on slowly with this scraping noise on to Ashton. About 15km. When we reach Ashton we pull into a filling station and a couple of truck drivers assist me to remove the under cowling and tie up some of the bumper to stop it scraping on the tyre. We see that the radiator is loose from its housing but the temprature has not risen so I feel tha the radiator is not damaged so badly that we cannot carry on.
We drive the last 150km very slowly and reach Nicky's house at about 1am on Wednesday morning. Nicky is up as she is baby sitting for friends who are at a Bon Jovi concert. We collaps into bed.
Wednesday morning; Nicky gets the children off to school and I take the car to a nearby Mechanic who does a repair job that allows me to be able to drive back to PE on Thursday. He tells me how fortunate I am as it appears that there is no real damage to either the engine or the radiator. He puts everything back into place with cable ties and assures me that I should be able to drive back home safely. Nicky unfortunately misses Mia's fun run.
ARON AT SCHOOL HOCKEY PRACTICE
BARBARA, DIGBY, NICKY AND MIA WATCH THE HOCKEY PRACTICE BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE JUSTIN BEAVER CONCERT
MIA STAYS WITH US WHILE NICKY AND ZARA ARE ALREADY DRESSED AND READY FOR THE EVENING. NOT SURE IF THEY WILL BE WARM ENOUGH AND NICKY FORGOT HER PURSE AT HOME SO WAS NOT ABLE TO BUY A SUPPER.
Later Barbara takes Ally and Jessica shopping. And then we go to the school where Zara and Aron have hockey practice. From there Nicky takes her troop of Ally, Jessy, Christian, Aron and Zara to the Justin Beaver Concert. When they arive home at about 11pm they tell us what an amazing time they had --- Ally is ready to give up everything in life and spend the rest of her life going to concerts. Meanwhile Barbara, Mia and I visit Cathy, Saul and Blake for supper.
Thursday morning we leave for PE at 7am. Drive at 100kph and really this was not much more time than any other time we driven from CT at 9 hours including four stops. Breakfast at KFC Worster, more to eat at Albertina. And some gekervde biltong. Petrol at Wilderness and a last stop at Kurlands near Plett.
Michael had to go back to Hospital with a fever.
Friday morning I meet Pat, Adrienne and Annie for a run. As I jog to the start my knee starts to play up again and I think that I will have to do a short walk again. But this morning I am able to run nearly an hour around Collegiate. My best run in ages. Not pain free but certainly a whole lot better than recent attempts. Michael is sleeping when I visit this morning. Ally has to be at hockey early. Michael spends another night in hospital, moved to the Oncology ward. This evening I have another LIFESAVING class. This is the final session before our tests next weekend.
Ally is at youth and the her friend Meldon sleeps over and the two of them watch hockey at Grey in the rain.
Saturday 11th May
At last I am back to running again. Very slow! And not without pain. But I was able to run with the beach front group of Adrienne, Neil Calder and Annie. We must have run a bit over ten kays and even had a swim after the run. Steve McDonald was on the beach also having a run this morning. A quick shower and off to watch Ally's hockey match against Alex. Ally plays defense for the Pearson U16 team. Normally not much gets past her. She has a friend Hanna who is also adefensive player and the two of them are a force. The game ends 0-0 which was not a reflection on the strength of Pearson who spent almost the entire game in the oppositions half. This was the first time that Ally played at Alex on their AstroTurf field.
PEARSON VS ALEX AT ALEX FOR THE FIRST TIME ON THIS ASTRO. PEARSON SPEND ALMOST THE ENTIRE GAME IN ALEX'S HALF BUT FAIL TO CAPITALISE. GAME ENDS 0-0 AND OUR TEAM GREETS THE OPPOSITION AS IS TRADITION AND GOOD MANNERS AFTER THE GAME.
We received our new mattresses today. Quite different from what we are used to. Higher and firmer.
Saturday afternoon I am at Grey watching Rugby against Queens; Both the first and the second team win their games. I sit with Varrin and his group and then a bit later with Charles. I have to leave halfway through the main game to get to the stadium. Julia and Michaels three children join me. We collect Ron and squash into Julias car.
JULIA, JESSICA, JOSHUA, DANIEL AND RON AT RUGBY
FUNNY FACES OF JULES AND JESS
BOYS CHEER THEIR TEAM ON.
Surprisingly the stadium fills to about 70% capacity by the time the game starts. We have cheap seats but move to better seats. After a while the patrons who should be in these seats arrive and so we have to do a bit of juggling and moving but all okay. The game is one of the best I have seen our team play. After last weeks disaster the score is a pleasing 34-27 in favour of the Southern Kings. I am sure that this must have been one of our highest try scoring games in the season so far. They played the New Zealand Highlanders who have been in this tournament for some years.
It is Ally's Miss Personality dance at school. She tells me that it was not particularly well attended but fun anyway. Ally always looks so good when she dresses up for a special occasion.
Sunday morning. Barbara and I have had a good sleep on our new mattresses for the first time. It is Mothers day and Joshua's Birthday.
Monday 13th. I am delighted to be running again. I am exceptionally slow but that does not matter. At least I am there. This week I am able to run each morning Monday to Thursday. Improving each time. And have done some midday swimming as well. Inbetween branch visits I have been able to get to the Newton Park Swimming Pool which is a 50m pool. I do 3 X 400m = 1200m per session. I am able to do this reasonably easily. The trouble is that the Life Guard Award requires me to swim 400m within 8 minutes and I am not able to do that. My swim time is around 9 - 10 minutes for the 400m.
Ally has joined Hayden Skinner's "Young Guns" water polo training school. This is also at the NP pool. Seems like she is having a lot of fun with her friends in the group.
Michael was in and out of Hospital this week. Huge pain that had to be managed. He is starting to look a bit stronger but any activity exhausts him.
YOUNG GUNS WATER POLO TRAINING SQUAD
NEWTON PARK SWIM POOL. WEDNESDAY EVENING WATER POLO TRAINING WITH HAYDEN SKINNER.
Thursday 16th. I recently lost my ID book. Thinking that it will "turn up" I have not done anything about it. But a week ago decided to take action; signed an affidavit to say that I had lost it. Made copies of my Drivers Licence and Passport to prove that I am who I say I am. And went to the New Home Affairs Office in North End. Had ID Pics taken. But when I walked into the office it was a mad house with hundreds of people queuing for attention. I left.
Then this morning I went straight there after dropping Ally at school. Secure under cover parking is free to be used. The Hall was empty. I presented myself and my documents. They needed none of them. Put your Thumb on the electronic Print Reader; that was how I was identified. Complete the form, fingerprints. Pay R140 and within 30 minutes I was driving to the office. What a pleasure! I received an SMS with the details of my application and will receive another SMS when the ID book is ready for collection.
Friday Nicky Stefan; Cathy and Saul all come through for the weekend for a visit. I am in Uitenhage and then go my 4th swim of the week. That makes it 5km of swimming this week. Must be a world record for me. I am not speeding up but at least I feel that I can swim the distance required for the lifesaving test on Sunday. Friday afternoon we have our final theory training with Varrin and Brian. Sadly Rachels Mother Ardath passed away in USA today. It seems that she had been suffering for some time.
Early morning at Hobie Beach with Pat, Ronel, Almarie, Sjani, Adrienne and Niel. Behind is the lights display.
The shiny reflective thing is Adrienne -- we all try to remember to don our reflective vests. This is fair to the Motorists and to our group of runners.
Saturday 18th. Up early for the beach run. Adrienne and I drive down together and meet up with Pat, Ronel and Sjani. Almarie Botha joins us for the first time in ages and then Niel Calder. We start our run at 5;30am. We seem to prefer the early start as it gives us the rest of the day for other and family activities. I am so pleased to be back into running. Cannot keep up with the group but that does not matter. Ronel has hardly run since Two Oceans 56 but she is right up in front. Adrienne is super strong and runs away from us with Niel.
We run up Walmer boulevard, past Forest Hill where we have a drink of water, along Strandfontein to Second ave for the second drink and then down Second ave towards Pearson. We turn down 5th ave and end up back at the beack where Adrienne and I have our traditional quick dip. The sun is not yet risen but the water is not too cold at all. On our way home we see the sunrise over the Harbour. And feel such a sense of privelege to be able to have done this run and swim with friends.
Ally plays for Pearson U16 team as vice Captain.
Later Ally reported that this was not a good game for her. The final score Pearson 0 - Kingswood 0
I collect Ally and her two friends Yana and Hanna. We drive to Kingswood College Grahamstown; They are having a Derby day. Ally plays for the U16 team. There is a bit of a mix up with the schedule but finally the game gets going at 10;30. It is a tough game with Pearson dominating the first half. But No Score. The game ends 0-0 and is quite unsatisfactory. Ally tells me that this was not a good game for her. I am not sure about that as I think that she played quite well.
Old Grey Academy team. Ally plays an excellent game. We had to rush here after the Kingswood game in Grahamstown
This afternoons game ends Acadmey 2 - UPE 1.
After the Kingswood game we have to leave immediately. I have to drive faster than I should and we make it to UPE just in time for their Old Grey Academy game against UPE at the NMMU Astro. Barbara. Nicky, Cathy Saul all join to watch Allys game. Plus 6 Grandchildren. Julia joins the support team. Ally's team play a co ordinated game and within minutes have scored a goal. UPE equalise and then in the second half Academy score a second goal to end up 2-1 winners.
VARRIN WANTS THE SWIMMERS TO PROCEED FURTHER OUT
LIFESAVING TRAINING GROUP ALEX; ERIN; KAYLEE; CHRISTIE; SAMIERA AND MAURICE
After the NMMU game I go to Lifesaving Training. The air is cool. The water is warm for a mid May afternoon. There is an East blowing. The swell is quite substantial and a strong shore break is caused by a sudden change in depth of the water need to the shoreline. THe whole group is here: Christie, Erin, Kaylee, Samiera, Alex and Maurice. We go through our water training; Run swim Run; Torpedo Buouy Rescue; Malibu Board Rescue and Belt Rescue. The Swell makes the Board Rescue quite tough. The swimming and activity makes me quite hungry. I think that Swimming is probably one of the sports that makes you the hungriest. I have loved the afternoon swims. It is a good thing that we have done this afternoons practice as we are able to sort out the equipment for tomorrows exams.
SITTING FOR THE WRITTEN PART OF THE LIFE SAVING TEST WITH VARRIN DOING THE MARKING
CONCENTRATING HARD. WE ALL PASS THIS PART OF THE TEST. TOMORROW IS THE HARD PART WITH THE SWIMS AND CPR
Later we do the written test. Not too tough but there are a couple of points where I am not sure of answers. But we all pass the test. Varrin marks the papers immediately. Back Home for Supper made by Stefan before flopping into bed after a long day.
Sunday 19th. Today is our Practical Lifesaving test. Used to be called SPA Surf Proficiicey Award and now called Lifeguard Award. LA.
We have worked for the past 6 weeks toward this and there is a nervous anticipation this morning. Fortunately the weather plays along with us. A cool North East Wind blows gently across the bay. The sea is choppy but there is no huge swell to contend with. I have borrowed a wet suite from Graham Richards. We walk down to the beach where we set up the Buoys, Box Line, Torpedo Buoys and Malibu boards. Our examiners are Clive Moore and Bruce from Jeffreys Bay.
KAYLEE AND ERIN GO OUT ON MALIBU BOARDS TO RESCUE THEIR PATIENTS. THE BLUE BOARD HAS A HUGE LEAK AND COMES BACK FULL OF WATER.
The first exercise is the Run Swim Run. I put on the wetsuite thinking that at 8 am the water will be chilly and I want to make sure of this event. Enter the water with Kaylee and Samiera. The others are all ahead of us. And start swimming. Immediately I realise that I have made a huge mistake with the Wetsuite. It is too tight and I struggle to breath correctly.
My arms feel heavy. I battle it out to the first Buoy and turn Right. And against the rip I struggle even more. I am thinking that if I fail this test (which must be completed in 10 Minutes) I will ask for a second chance with no wet suite. Finally I reach the second Buoy and head back to shore. Not so tough and I ride the swell back to shore, Run the final leg and finish just under 10 minutes. I am surprised to see Sam behind me as I thought that I was last by a long way. I think that Bruce has been generous with his timing.
Cathy; Saul and Blake were staying in Humewood at a B& B and came to the beach. Thanks to Varrin and Brian for the support on the beach this morning. Peter and Elmarie were walking the beach and we had time for a quick chat.
The next three events are Belt; Torpedo and Malibu Board Rescue. Each one of us must be a Patient as well as a Rescuer. We go through the exercises quite comfortably. I swim all of these with no wetsuite and am not at all cold. The sun warms us up when we are out the water. Clive continually gives us additional lessons and we not only pass this part of the test but are continuously learning as well.
VARRIN GIVES INSTRUCTIONS AS TO THE AFTERNOONS ACTIVITY
From the beach we move up to the Clubhouse where we do Two Man CPR. The dummy is set down and we proceed with the process of Hello; Hazzards; Help and Airways; Breathing; Circulation. And then the 2 breaths and thirty compressions. This seems to go reasonably well.
Finally Clive calls us together and we talk about the whole business of Lifesaving before dismissing us, We have all passed the written, the practical and the First Aid sections of the test. Quite a relief. We pack up and I head home to say goodbye to Saul and Cathy. Stefan and Nicky left earlier.
I am now officially a Voluntary Lifeguard. Barbara comments that she had wanted, as a teenager, to go out with a Lifesaver. Now that her wish is granted it is not exactly the picture that she was dreaming of; No bronzed tan; no flowing golden locks; no six pack.
Michael is still battling with a bloated stomach and extreme pain when he moves. As he lies down on the couch he appears to be quite comfortable. It is his liver that is packing in and not releasing the fluids as it should. He is on heavy treatment of Morphine to ease his discomfort.
This afternoon Ally has a Hockey Match for Old Grey Academy. It is at Collegiate. Barbara and I take our Deck Chairs and enjoy the evening cool breeze as we sit and watch and chat to the rest of the parents on the grassy slope.
Ally has a good game and their team win 2-1 against the Marlin Team. Ally and friend Hanna make up a formidable back line .. Not may people are able to get through them.
OLD GREY ACADEMY TEAM BEAT THE MARLINS 2-1 AT COLLEGIATE ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
Monday morning -- Run, Drop Ally at school, Work, Fetch Ally from School, Drop Ally at St Georges for Maths, Barbara is with Michael all day as he is not feeling well. Ron and Lene's sister visit, Garth visits for some insurance stuff. And Cell group this evening.
Morning Running. Jacqui Zeelie brings some of her friends to the Running. I meet Megan, Jacqui and Georgie. Three wonderful young ladies who very quickly become friends. Megan lives in Howard Waterfall's old house at the end of Wares Road. She has a sister of 16 in the same grade as Ally at Pearson. Her sister, Cameron, lives with her as it makes more sense. Thier parents live in Bluewaterbay where Megan used to be a lifesaver.
Tuesday morning. Leon Schuster turns 62. It is Adrienne's birthday as well. But she is not at the run. It is a big group to wish her: Pat, Carol, Andy, Nicky, Dave, Justin, Johan, Lizette, Lynne, Heloise, Marilyn, Edelene. Almarie, Liesl, Riana, John, Margie, Vicky, and we see Earl and Michelle on the road. Big group and only two are training for Comrades: Marilyn and Heloise. Drop Ally at Pearson for Hockey training. Ally has a Dentist appointment.
MICHAEL'S BODY CAN NO LONGER FIGHT THE CANCER.
The next piece of writing is a confused mix of thoughts and memories.
Wednesday 29th May 2013
The week becomes a blur. I take the rest of the week off from work. Spend as much time as I am able with Michael. He is no longer able to function properly. Hospice. Gillian, come to assist us. Mike has a number of visitors, family start to arrive. JACQUI and her family from Israel, Cathy, Nicky, and LENE's family. Rachael from America, Dawn from Canada, Lisa gets on a bus in CT and rides through the night. Patrick flies from Durban.
We sit with Michael. Chris Sheasby and Debbie Glover perform a communion service for Michael with some of his work colleagues, Ron and family.
Meals have been provided for us by Claudine and Cronje; Jacqui and Hannes; Gaynor and Roy and Lindi who has a child at Lene's school and who was at school with Jacqui. Then we receive a meal from one of the school mothers (I think) and a pot of soup after the memorial service. I think that this comes from one of Lene's family.
Michael is no longer able to communicate. These days blur into one but finally on Friday he starts to fade. And on Saturday 25 May 2013, morning at Three am with his wife, Lene, daughter, Jessica and sisters at his side, he breathes his final breath. At age 33 Michael, my son, is gone forever.
Julia and Rachel are such a comfort and help at this time.
Cathy, Jacqui, Ally and Nicky are such loving sisters. Michael loves it each time one of them says a word of comfort. Just being with the family is so encouraging for Barbara and Lene who have nursed Michael for so long. Jessica comes home from her friend to be with her Dad on this last night. She lays on the bed with him just to be there.
Fortunately amid all of this we have our younger grandchildren who love each other and keep the house full of laughter and play.
Cathy's Blake is not well and we take him to hospital with a fever.
This persists for about a week before he seems to start getting strong and healthy again.
And then Cathy has a terrible night with cramps which look to us like Kidney problems. She too has to go to hospital.
The Funeral people come and we try to help Lene sort things out. With all of this going on we are so blessed with amazing friends and family. They bring us meals. They visit, send SMS messages, email and send flowers. Facebook becomes alive with wishes. The telephone rings and there is someone wishing the family. Lisa from Clarendon lends us their caravan.
On Sunday Chris comes over and we begin work on a service. Stefan is in CT and he sets up a collage of photographs. Saul creates a beautiful pamphlet. Nicky works all day on coordinating activities. We try to get the message out via email and Facebook.
Sunday evening in Church my phone packs in. I use the phone to make notes of the sermons. This evening the sermon is being presented by Tracey who has recently started as Youth Pastor after Megan left. I take the phone to Vodacom and buy a new Cheapie which helps me be in touch until I receive my phone back later in the week. I try to take some pictures but the phone has such a small memory that the pics are of no use.
Everyone in the family is trying to be strong but as soon as someone mentions something the we crack up with emotion.
Monday I am able to run in the morning. Michael comes with me for a run. He is running strongly and plans to run a marathon in Israel or Europe. I have to go to the Funeral people to sign documents and give Michaels ID to them. Nan Jolly is Michaels doctor. I never see her as I have been in and out of the house and missed her. She works for Hospice. My best friend Adrienne visits us. We really welcome every person who we are in contact with.
Tuesday 28th. I go for a run but after a short while am not feeling up to it and walk home. I meet up with Claire Breedske who has, for the past months, continued to ask after Michael. We jog back home together. Claire has had some injuries recently and needs to take it easy.
Stefan and I go to the Church early to sort out the Service. Stefan sets up the computer, Music and photo collage.
Mark has had the pamphlets printed. and brings them over. It is good to see Mark looking well and settling down in his life. He has reconnected with his Biological Father and works in Graphic design with an Uncle.
Tuesday we have the memorial service. The church is full. Probably 200 people. Ena comes from Plett. Isabelle comes from CT. Corrie NEVEN and Barry Dell from JHB, work colleagues drive from EL to show support. Charles and Ingrid do the music. Barbara sings with them. Nicky reads the messages and does the thank you's. Jacqui and Cathy both talk about Michael and his family. Mark DuPisanie prints the pamphlets.
The photo collage plays Ina loop on the screen. I talk about relationships and being a Dad. And play Harry Chapin. Cats in the cradle. Chris gives a sermon. The congregation is given a roving mike and a chance to talk.
All in all the service is well received. People greet us in the hall afterwards and then it is all over.
We try to restart our lives but find we become confused easily. I get back to morning running. Ally and the children stay out of school for the week. Lene closes her school for the week.
Patrick flies home with Isabelle.
Stefan, Nicky and Saul go back to CT. Cathy follows. Dawn and Jacqui stay on for a while.
Julia and Rachel drive through to CT for thier holiday in Mauritius.
I take children to the park.
We have a lunch at the Pink Fig where the adults can relax and chat and Children can have a ball playing on the equipment.
Michael Z and I run in Settlers park to try to map out a route for the park run. Bob Norris and Peter Wade visit and we kind of agree that Settlers park will be a good place for a Parkrun.
I go back to work as best I can.
And May comes to an end.
Goodbye my son.
You have touched many lives and will be missed forever.
Goodbye my son.
You fought so hard to conquer this body invader
Goodbye my son
My heart is breaking and tears are flowing.
Goodbye my son
Your wife, your children, your mother, your sisters grieve for you.
Goodbye my son
Well done on how you handled life.
We are proud to have known you
We are so grateful to God for the time we had together
Goodbye my son
Goodbye my son
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