SAFARI HALF MARATHON 2.5.2016 (Monday is a public Holiday)
WELLINGTON; CAPE TOWN AND RIEBEEK KASTEEL
ALLY IN PERTH
BACK TO DOLE AND GUIDING WORK
JOSHUA AND DANIEL RUGBY AT CLARENDON
TIM WOODS DIES AND JUDY COMES TO PE FOR THE FUNERAL
MEET JULIE PUGH AND FAMILY
RUNNING IN THE MORNINGS AND CYCLING WHEN POSSIBLE.
MILL PARK RUNNING GROUP. Misty morning run in May -- as seen by Duncan Stewart. This group has been going for about 30 years. People have come and gone but the group remains solid. For about 6 months of the year we have to start and finish in the dark. The routes are set according to training schedules. In the group are walkers, the slow group and the fast group. Start at 5am most mornings for an hour of running.
May 2016
Barbara and I drive to Cape Town for the Weekend -- to visit our family as well as to run the Safari Half Marathon in Wellington.
Chris, Estelle and I end up as the only ones to go to Wellington as Nicky is feeling totally miserable and does not make it.
I have a hard run. It is not an easy course with lots of ups and downs and a huge field of runners.
Chris runs a 1.48. I am about 20 minutes slower. Estelle runs the 10k in 1.13.
I am pretty much finished after the run and have a short nap on the concrete stands as well as later on when I doze off after my shower.
Saul puts The Revenant on my laptop. Revenant --- one who returns as if from the dead. Blood lost; Life found. About a man who was mauled by a bear in the 1820's. He is left for dead by his hunting companions and has to use his survival skills to find his way home.
Barbara and I drive back to PE on Tuesday
ANNABELLE IS 9 YEARS OLD TODAY
TOM WATCHES AS HIS SISTERS ARE GIVEN SPECIAL TREATMENT
ANNABELL IN HER SPECIAL BIRTHDAY OUTFIT
FOOD FAIR IN TOKAI
CATHY AND SAUL ARE TALKING ABOUT THEIR COMING TRIP TO NZ
JOSHUA HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO THE U13B TEAM. TODAY THEY PLAY SUNRIDGE PARK
JOSHUA IS PLAYING WING TODAY. HE GETS THE BALL A COUPLE OF TIMES AND REALLY HAS SOME GOOD RUNS.
Wednesday 4th. Short run with Susan, Chris & Lindie, My car in for Service, Final documentation for Nature guiding.
Josh plays Sunridge park for his U13B team. They beat Sunridge by just 27 - 26. Five tries to 4 -- Sunridge had an on form kicker. Our team dominated the first half and managed to score a try in the second half. Meanwhile Daniel is playing for the U11A team in Despatch where they beat the opponents 27 -5. Daniel is playing at Full Back while Joshua is playing right wing. I play at linesman for Josh's Coach (Jacks).
This morning we run around the Gym and I take a tumble as my toe catches on a concrete splatter. I immediately start running and there is no pain nor stiffness. But later, after my shower, I start to feel the effects of the fall. .
CATHY'S CULINARY CREATIONS
DELICIOUS AND GOOD LOOKING
JACQUI HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH A TOUGH TIME AS HER FRIEND, HELEN STERN, WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER AND IN HOSPITAL IN A CRITICAL CONDITION.
JACQUI CREATES THESE ARTWORKS WITH A CONTINUOUS FLOWING BRUSH MOTION.
Cathy has this amazing ability to make delicious and healthy meals but also to present the dishes in such as way to make them look appetising. While Jacqui is creating these pieces of artwork -- she uses a single brush and continuous flow.
7 May 1945: Germany unconditionally surrenders to allied forces, effectively bringing an end to World War II.
5 May 1925: Afrikaans is declared an official language in South Africa.
2 May 2011: Suspected New York terror attack mastermind and al-Qaeda chief Osama bin-Laden is killed by US Navy Seals at his compound in the city of Abbottabad in Pakistan
FOUND IN ADDO -- THIS IS A HAAKDORING
ON THE CAPE RECIFE ROAD THIS IS A CORAL LILY
ON THE CAPE RECIFE ROAD -- BULRUSHES.
Sunday 7th May. After more than 10 days (half of which I was in Cape Town); I am finally back on the job of tour guiding. The temperature has dropped; cold winds and rain replaced the hot sunny day. I have a bit of a cold. I bake Crunchies and Rusks.
Both Cathy and Nicky are not well. Cath goes to hospital.
NEAR TO NOORDHOEK. THE PATTI WRECK CAN ONLY BE SEEN AT VERY LOW TIDE AS IT WAS TODAY
CHRIS AND I ENJOYED A GREAT CYCLE TO RECIFE AND THE PATTI WRECK.
Monday. Run with Chris; Lindie; Susan and Andy. Cycle with Chris in the afternoon.
Tuesday 10th. Claire, Hayley and Benita. Training for Comrades. Looking strong and appear to be anticipating another good run this year. It will be Hayley's first. I run with Susan and Adrienne.
Chris fetches me for a Recife Cycle. The wind has picked up and when we cycle into it the going becomes tough. But really not too bad.
DOMKRAG LOOKOUT. A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY DAY IN MAY.
WILCO; MICHELLE; ANO AND IBI. From Netherlands.
Wednesday Morning. Run with Susan, Chris, Lindie, Viv, Kevin and Liesl. Around St Georges park -- 5 or 6k. Tour of Addo with Wilco and Michelle and two children (Ibi 7; and Anoxolo 4; who was adopted just a week ago)
Beatrice stands next to the portrait of Elizabeth Donkin in the Prince Alfred Guards museum.
Thursday. Run with Stefanie; Adrienne; Susan; Chris; Liesl; Andrea and Kelly. Just 5kay around Linkside. Tour with Beatrice (Scotland) of the city and Sacramento.
TWO MALE LIONS ON HARVEYS LOOP
THEY HAD A KUDU KILL NEXT TO THEM.
Friday. Addo tour with Terry; Marie and Melanie. This tour had started late as I only learned that they were waiting for me at 9.30am so we also ended later than normal. However it was a successful tour with great sightings and an enthusiastic group from Germany, Switzerland and Austria.
MARGIE JOINS THE SATURDAY MORNING GROUP FOR A RUN
NEIL; STEFANIE; MARGIE AND I RUN DOWN ADMIRALTY WAY INTO THE MORNING SUNRISE.
LENE AND BARBARA ARE ON AN "OUT RIDE"
BARBARA ON THE BEACH
IT SEEMS THAT LENE HAD A GREAT OUTING. MAY HAVE PULLED A MUSCLE IN HER LEFT LEG BUT THAT DID NOT DETRACT FROM THE ENJOYMENT OF THE OUTING.
8 May 1996: South Africa’s new Constitution is officially approved after an almost two year-long drafting period.
9 May 2015: Democratic Alliance (DA) Parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane defeats the party’s Shadow Minister of Health Wilmot James to succeed Helen Zille as the first black leader of South Africa’s biggest opposition party.
10 May 1994: Nelson Mandela is officially inaugurated as South Africa’s first black and democratically elected president.
11 May 2010: British Conservative Party leader David Cameron is elected UK Prime Minister following a coalition with the Liberal Democrat Party.
This weekend: Saturday 15th. I have a most unsatisfying tour of Addo with Tim and Felix;. I did not feel good about the tour nor the sightings. It started off with one of the guests being robbed of her card and so not being able to do the tour. Then Tim and Felix appeared dissatisfied and unimpressed. I will have to convey my own excitement in a new way to be able to have this rub over onto my guests.
CLARENDON PARK U11 RUGBY TEAM. A SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN THIS SEASON.
Meanwhile Daniel and Joshua both play for Clarendon Park rugby teams and according to Barbara have great games, Clarendon Park winning the day in all respects. And then I also miss the Grey Reunion Weekend as I was too tired on Friday evening to watch the Hockey and busy all Saturday and so missed the Rugby which I later learned Grey won all levels.
For me the best part of the day was starting off with a run; with Margie, Neil and Stefanie. Adrienne, Annie and Adrian walked (Anne has been off with Flu this week).
Sunday. Judy Emmanuel comes to PE for Tim Woods funeral.
Jacqui works so hard to make the day special for Annabel. Cakes and decorations way beyond expectations
A happy Israeli birthday party for Annabel.
Horse jumping was one of the activities.
Annabel has her birthday Party and Joshua turns 12 this week.
JUDY; KEAGAN; FINELLA; JUDY; TAI; DORA; FINELLI AND ZOE.
NICKY AND WERNER ON HOLIDAY ON THE WEST COAST
Sunday 15th. Fetch Judy from the airport and drop her off at Tim Woods house. Meet cousin Dora; Julie and Gareth. Tim died this week. We attend the Funeral at the Lighthouse church this afternoon.
Monday morning run with Chris, Lindie, Viv and Kevin, Ronel, Susan and Adrienne. Also on the run is Andy, Lynne, Joan, Amanda, Natalie, Benita, Michelle, Claire, Almarie, Lisa, Helen, John, Nicky, Johan.
Tuesday we often have the biggest group of the week running. This morning is a warm misty morning. Chris; Lindie; Adrienne; Stefanie; Susan; and in the faster group is Andy; John; Duncan; Michael; Stuart; Benita, Claire, Almarie, Adele, Angela, Melissa, Amanda, Joan, Maryka, Lisa, Riana, -- Difficult to remember everyone who was there.
A STRANGE THING HAPPENED TODAY AS THE HUGE MALE GIRAFFE IN THE BACKGROUND CAME OVER AND CHASED THE RHINO AWAY.
VIRGINIQUE TOURNAY FROM FRANCE WITH DANIELLE WILSON AND FRIEND MADISON FROM VIRGINIA. AFTER THE MONKEY WALK IN KRAGGA KAMMA.
WE HAD TO WORK HARD CYCLING TO RECIFE THIS AFTERNOON
CHRIS AND I HAD AN ALMOST FREE RIDE HOME WITH THE EASTERLY WIND ON OUR BACKS
Kragga Kamma Tour with Virginique; Danielle and Madison. This was a great outing despite early morning mist -- we started the day with a bit of History around the Donkin Reserve. Then to Kragga Kamma where we were fortunate to see a variety of animals. Including an unusual incident where the Giraffe chased the Rhino away.
This afternoon Chris and I cycle from Kings Beach to Cape Recife and back. Stunning hard ride into the wind on the way there and gunned it on the way back.
Wednesday 17th. Morning run with Chris; Lindie who has a new Polo; Viv and Kevin; Ronel and Susan. Also on the run: John; Matthew; Lynne and Lynne; Angela; Melissa; Riana; Amanda; Benita who is training for Comrades; Mike; Nicky
I LOVE RUNNING. BUT CYCLING IS EQUALLY AS GOOD WHEN YOU CAN FINISH WITH A CAPPUCINO AT GRASSROOF.
Later this morning I cycle from Grassroof to Kini bay with Andrea. Andrea had cycled from home (over 35kms total ride).
Township tour. With Mattheus and Jean Dechant -- Kelway hotel and to the various Townships. Great tour with this couple who appear to have enjoyed the outing.
Thursday morning run with Adrienne; Stefanie; Annie; Chris and Susan.
ISABELLA AND LAGO FROM BRAZIL ENJOYING THE VIEW FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE.
NO7 CASTLE HILL MUSEUM.
PARSONAGE HOUSE
Reverend Francis Mc Cleland, an 1820 Settler, bought this land in 1827. He built the house in the Georgian style of that time, using indigenous Yellowwood, sandstone with locally made bricks and tiles.This colonial home strives to present a picture of domestic life with an emphasis on the period 1840 - 1870.
A well in the courtyard, the remains of the stables and the original basement kitchen are of interest.
saved from destruction by HB Smith and restored by the Historical Society of Port Elizabeth, the house is a satellite of the Port Elizabeth Museum at Bayworld.
City / Township tour with Lago and Isabella from Rio in Brazil.
SATURDAY MORNING BEACHFRONT RUNS WITH ANDREA; ELMARIE AND PAT
ADRIENNE'S BIRTHDAY TODAY. RUNNING WITH ANNIE; LINDIE AND VIV.
Saturday morning we run from Hobie beach. Chilly at first but soon warms up. Adrienne takes a fall up walmer boulevard. A nasty hole on the pavement where a manhole cover should be is difficult to judge in the dark. Slow and relaxed run along Strandfontein and Summerstrand to Admiralty. Back along the promenade where Pat has coffee for all of us.
Barbara goes to Delene and Uitenhage where she has taken responsibility for some dogs needing homes. It appears that they will all be placed.
KEVIN; PAT; MANDY AND BARBIE PROUDLY SHOWING OFF THEIR MEDALS AFTER THE GREAT WALL EVENT (10 AND 21K RESPECTIVELY).
KALLI HILLER FROM TEXAS. DOING A WORLD TOUR OF ALL CONTINENTS. TELLS ME THAT SHE LOVES SOUTH AFRICA. TRAVELLING WITH HER SON, RYDER.
ALLY WARMS UP FOR HER 12K EVENT IN PERTH.
ALLY WITH FRIENDS IN PERTH.
AN UNFORTUNATE REALITY OF RUNNING IS THE MESS. BUT I AM SURE THAT IT WAS ALL CLEANED UP AFTER THE EVENT.
ALLY LOOKING QUITE ATHLETIC.... WITH HER PHONE!
After a lazy Sunday morning I am called to do a City / Township tour with Kalli and her son Ryder from Texas. Meanwhile Ally takes part in a 12k run in Perth. She lets us know that she ran 11 of the 12. And in China: Barbie and Mandy Perks are joined by Kevin and Pat Rheeder on the Great Wall of China. Barbie and Mandy walk the 21k (3600steps) in 8 and half hours.
Monday morning -- Run with the normal group of Adrienne, Annie, Susan, Andrea, Chris and for the first time in many months, Stuart joins us. However Helen and Joan are left behind and will have to run up Langenhoven on their own so I try to keep up with them. My hill running appears to have improved recently and I am able to stay the pace. In the fast group -- Almarie, Adelle, Natalie, John and John, Lynne and Amanda, Benita in her final stages of Comrades training, Michelle & Melissa.
RED NECKED FRANCOLIN OR RED NECKED SPURFOWL FOUND IN ADDO AT CROSSROADS TODAY.
Addo tour with Kalli and Ryder who were with me yesterday.
Tuesday 24th. Morning run with Allan Lones who joins us for the first time. Mike Dean back after a lay off as is Liesl. Lindie is off ill. Steff and Nicole not able to get out of bed. Susan training hard for her "transplant event" in October. Annie and Adrienne and Chris. Andy, Melissa, John, Benita, Almarie and Adelle, Ingrid and Amanda. - in all about 20 of us this morning.
.
CHRIS AND JOUBERT ON THE CAPE RECIFE ROAD
PATTIE OR PATTI -- I WILL HAVE TO FIND OUT MORE THAT IS AVAILABLE ON THE WEB.
Chris and his son Joubert and I cycle to Recife and Patti Wreck this afternoon.
Wednesday morning -- a bit of rain so I rest but later as the weather improves I am able to cycle (Road Bikes) with Andrea to Cape Recife and Patti.
Cycling to Recife on the road bikes with Andrea.
Daniel and Josh have rugby. Daniel vs Settlers Park 17-23 and Josh loses his game as well 5-20 vs Herbert Hurd. Daniel's coach and deputy head of Clarendon is Garreth Jacobson. He is running Comrades on Sunday this week.
Thursday morning -- Kelly and Andrea -- Both injured walk. I run with Adrienne, Annie, Liesl, Susan and Chris. Also in the group: Andy, Melissa, Lynne, Lynne, John, Johan, Amanda, Almarie and Michelle. Walking are Kobus and Gay. Resting for their comrades run are Claire, Benita and Hayley Edwards.
CHRIS GOES RAMPING OVER THE STYLE. I AM ABLE TO RAMP ALL BUT THIS ONE. I STILL HAVE TO WORK UP THE COURAGE.
WE ARE IN AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE EARNED A COLD BEER THIS EVENING.
I have some Dole work to do and then later Chris and his son Joubert fetch me for a cycle at Norm Hudlin. We do two loops. This is much harder than cycling on the promenade pathways. Some thick grass and lots of bumps make for a tough ride. But a beautiful day of sunshine and a great outing. On the last cycle at the beach my bike was cranking and creaking. I put some Lube on the chain and it was a lot better this afternoon. Just the saddle creaks now. Chris bought himself some new pedals -- looks very smart.
GERALD JOINS US FOR AN AFTERNOON CYCLE TO RECIFE. A GLORIOUS AFTERNOON FOR CYCLING. WE PUSH HARD AND WORK UP QUITE A SWEAT.
DUNCAN IS DOING SOME ROAD WORK ALONG THE BEACH FRONT.
Friday afternoon--- Chris, Gerald and I cycle to Recife. And we find Duncan Stuart on the road. I have had a great week of cycling. Two MTB from KB to Recife with Chris. One Road bike on the same route and once at Norm Hudlin -- much tougher than on the road -- with Chris and Joubert. The Norm Hudlin track has some nasty grass sections where there is no pathway. And also it is very bumpy with lots of sharp turns. No hills but still a tough outing.
22 May 1980: Video game developer Namco releases the arcade game, Pac-man.
23 May 1945: Schutzstaffel (SS) Head Heinrich Himmler commits suicide by biting into a smuggled cyanide capsule while in custody.
24 May 1940: A South African Airways (SAA) Boeing 727, known as the Letaba, is hijacked on-route from Durban to Salisbury. It is the first incident of its kind to hit the airline since being established.
25 May 1996: Mountaineers Ian Woodall and Cathy O'Dowd become the first South Africans to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
26 May 1923: The very first 24 Hours of Le Mans takes place in the French town of the same name..
27 May 1963: Nelson Mandela arrives on Robben Island to start his five year sentence for treason.
28 May 1937: Car maker Volkswagen (people’s car) is founded in Germany
Saturday beach front run with Adrienne, Pat, Elmarie, Chris, Neil, Stefanie and others who cut short.
Sunrise over Hobie beach after our run.
This morning I had a great Addo Outing with Jenn, Anjolee and Chrystal.
Rugby at Grey vs St Andrews with Di, Andrew Dalgliesh and John.
Nicky found this letter written by Nicky from Israel 6 September 1992. Nicky was just 18 and had left for Israel to work on a Kibbutz with Brad. Later the following year she left for England.
Mom, Dad, Family. I have arrived safely in Tel Aviv. And leave for our Kibbutz in 2 hours which is followed by a two hour bus trip. My biggest shock so far is when I had to pay 14 Sheckels (R2.00) for two small cups of coffee. We met a whole group of South Africans on the bus, But we are now all split up. Our Kibbutz is called Reviuim and about 30min to the coast. Our address is Kubbitz Reviuim, ON Halutza, 85515, Israel. I don't know when I will be able to get to a Post Office. So I will post this when I get to Tel Aviv. It is very dirty heWEre and lots of Army People. Girls and Guys have to go to the army. Everything has gone very smoothly so far and we are having a great time, but are extremely tired. Please send my love to everyone at home. I will write again as soon as I have more news.
I love you all. Cheers. Nix.
Ronel went to Kareedouw to run the first Oorieberg 21k.
Saturday morning -- Fetch Stefany and Adrienne and meet the group at Hobie for a run. Liesl, Pat, Chris, Neil, Elmarie, Margie, Susan, Annie and Mike. The group breaks up as people have things to do but I end up running with Chris, Steff and Adrienne. I have to leave immediately for an Addo Tour with Chrystal, Anjolee and Jenn -- They want a half day tour and we are fortunate to start off with Lions and soon afterwards see buffalo and Elephant. Overall they are quite satisfied with the tour even though it was a "rush job". They are from San Diego, California on holiday for just two weeks.
Meanwhile Josh and Daniel both win their rugby games at Clarendon.
After dropping my guests I meet John and Di for Rugby at Grey. Our teams do well to beat St Andrews in almost all the Rugby but St Andrews beat Grey at Hockey. The try of the afternoon was scored by Craig Dalgliesh as he charged almost 80m through tackles for a second team try.
Barbara, Lene and Jess go to Movies with family.
CYCLE TO WILLOWS WITH ANDREA ON SUNDAY MORNING.
Sunday morning.... I have not been training on Sundays for sometime so was happy to be able to yes to a ride from Kings Beach this morning. I meet Andrea and we cycle out past Cape Recife and on to Willows. On the way back we meet Carel and cycle back together. Greeting all kinds of people on the road. Lynne Odendal; Balshaws; Anneke & Tracey running 15k; Hagemans; Ron and Lyn; Ken and Linda; So quite festive on the beach. And I had dropped my pump and a runner (Dwayne) picked up and handed it back to me at Hobie.
It is Comrades day and we watch as the first man (David Gatebe) breaks the Comrades record with a 5.18 finish. Last years winner (Gift Kalehe) does not finish in the top ten and the ladies winner Caroline Wostman cramps and finishes second to Charne Bosman.
Benita 9.03; Davera 7.45; Claire 10.49; Gareth Jacobson 10.03. Some of the times that we learned of.
This week I had a strong training week: Four days of running = about 30k and Five times cycling = about 100k. Unfortunately this has the effect of making me tired and sore on Monday morning and I am hardly able to run or keep up for a short run. Spent Monday doing some Dole work; Trips to the Tip and some NMMU moderation of scripts work.
Tuesday -- Seem to have recovered my strength a bit this morning. But still feeling slow and tired.
MEANWHILE IN PERTH AUSTRALIA:
ALLY ALWAYS WANTED TO MEET UP WITH A KANGAROO
KOALA BEAR. This is NOT a bear but a Marsupial. Eats mainly Eucalyptus leaves. Not a social animal. The underdeveloped baby crawls into the mothers pouch. Sleeps up to 20 hours a day.
ALLY AND KANGI THE ROO.
ALLY IS FORTUNATE TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT WITH THESE "JOEYS".
JACQUI HAS THIS HUGE BALCONY WHERE SHE HOLDS PARTIES AND OTHER OUTDOOR GATHERINGS
Michael soon developed a bond above sisterly love for Ally. He was her protector and role model.
Michael loved to be completely Goofy
He had so many really strong friendships which emerged after he died.
Michael died on 24th May 2013. He had been suffering for three years with the effects of the Adrenal cancer that he had. Firstly it had been nervous twitches and "fits" then later we discovered that he had the same cancer as my elder brother, Ian. Michael had tried all possible medications and operations. He had also gone to both America and Israel to see if it was possible to cure this disease. In the last number of months Michael had been in pain and extreme discomfort.
NICKY WROTE THIS THREE YEARS AGO ON THE EVE OF MICHAELS DEATH 24.5.2013
Mike,
The plan was to drive to PE on Sunday, after Mia's party on Saturday and Stefnie's baby shower. There was a plan and we had more time. But then I was on a plane and then by your bed, crying, telling you to sleep. Now you are gone from us, it's over. What happened to the plans? Operation 1, 2 and 3? Michigan? Israel? Radiation? Chemo? Plans for the future? Just 5 days ago you told me that soon you would come visit us in Cape Town and you asked me about the renovation...s and the business. But now they already took away your body. I can't see you anymore. I don't have a brother anymore. I just need a little more time.
The plan was to drive to PE on Sunday, after Mia's party on Saturday and Stefnie's baby shower. There was a plan and we had more time. But then I was on a plane and then by your bed, crying, telling you to sleep. Now you are gone from us, it's over. What happened to the plans? Operation 1, 2 and 3? Michigan? Israel? Radiation? Chemo? Plans for the future? Just 5 days ago you told me that soon you would come visit us in Cape Town and you asked me about the renovation...s and the business. But now they already took away your body. I can't see you anymore. I don't have a brother anymore. I just need a little more time.
I don't want this new reality. It's not okay.
I saw you take your last breath. You fought so hard for 3 long years, but the end came too quickly. You told Lene 2 nights ago that you had absolutely no doubt that you were going to beat this, I believed this with you. Even though I know that you are in a better place, I'm sorry. Because for me, and I know for you too, heaven is watching my children grow and play and I'm sorry that's not going to happen. I'm also sorry that I couldn't understand what you were trying to say today. I know you could hear us. I think you were calling your children, but it was too hard for the boys Mike. Jess was amazing though, she lay with you till the end, she sang to you and prayed for you. Then she comforted Lene. Then she told me that you told her that you would tell her when to start worrying. You never did, so she said she wouldn't.
I don't know how to face the coming days. I just love you and wish this was not the path you had to walk.
I saw you take your last breath. You fought so hard for 3 long years, but the end came too quickly. You told Lene 2 nights ago that you had absolutely no doubt that you were going to beat this, I believed this with you. Even though I know that you are in a better place, I'm sorry. Because for me, and I know for you too, heaven is watching my children grow and play and I'm sorry that's not going to happen. I'm also sorry that I couldn't understand what you were trying to say today. I know you could hear us. I think you were calling your children, but it was too hard for the boys Mike. Jess was amazing though, she lay with you till the end, she sang to you and prayed for you. Then she comforted Lene. Then she told me that you told her that you would tell her when to start worrying. You never did, so she said she wouldn't.
I don't know how to face the coming days. I just love you and wish this was not the path you had to walk.
Love is always patient and kind;
it is never jealous;
love is never boastful or conceited;
it is never rude or selfish;
it does not take offense, and is not resentful.
Love takes no pleasure in other people's sins but delights in truth;
it is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.
Love never fails, never ceases.
Peter Giddy
May 2016