Love, Lila
As I read the letters from the grandchildren I realize how blessed they were to have had him in their lives for so long. Many of us never knew a grandfather as they passed away before we were born.
Because of the 9 year age gap between us, my memories are scattered. I do not remember much of our lives together as children. He already was in University by the time I was 7 or 8 and married when I was 13. I then left for Canada 6 years later to just see him every 5 years or so and a bit more frequently until 1996 when Ouma Lettie passed away. My trips back to South Africa then stopped.
As you know, he had a great sense of humour. I will never forget one summer evening when we were all outside. Our cat had kittens and Johann derived great joy from running up and down the street depositing them in the neighbours mail boxes. Mona and I would frantically run behind him retrieving them!
Then there was the motorcycle...I am sure it contributed to Ouma going gray. There was the time he took me for a fast, and I mean FAST ride and without a helmet, of course. That was before the idea that things might be dangerous was invented. It might have been that same day he put a very young Cicely on her tummy in front of him to give her a ride!! Oh yes, motorcycle stories....one of Ouma Letties happiest moments was when the phone call came that it had caught fire as Johann was trying to start it one evening outside University. I grew up hearing my parents talking about what a great son he was and how proud they were of him.
Apart from my trips home every few years, there was not much direct interaction. In subsequent years he and Lilian visited us in Toronto and in Denver, and he once came up to Vancouver while Lilian visited Theone.
The most stand out memory for me is 2013. He planned for Mona to go to Australia to visit Bekker and then go to Sydney to see him. I had not seen her in 17 years. We kept it as a surprise so she did not know that I would be there as well. What a joyful reunion. Lilian had passed away a few months before and Johann missed her terribly. It was a nice distraction. We relived our earlier years just speaking Afrikaans. He and Leon made it one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
I enjoyed calling him every 3 weeks to hear the news, especially about the great-grandchildren. He would forward me new pictures he received. He would love talking about the cute things they do and say.
I always felt good in his presence which is a sure way to determine quality of character and love in a persons heart.
If Lexi does not mind, I would also like to remember him in that beautiful garden in the middle of her heart.
Lila Whidden
No comments
Post a Comment