I mentioned in the Introduction that my bag of clothing was smaller than the rest of the family's. This is why...... Just before lockdown officially started, Michael came to Bloemfontein as we were having a business meeting with all members of the family. Again, not to go into too much detail, but 2020 didn't start off very well at all.
My Dad passed away on the 15th of January after battling bladder cancer. I do feel that I need to say a few words about him here. He was an absolutely free spirit, who loved the outdoors and was extremely passionate about his mountains and hiking through them. I think had he been here now during this whole Covid Saga, he would have gone mad. I can only trust that his death came at the perfect time for him, and that although I miss him like crazy, I believe that his spirit is happy to be wild and free, not to have to be in a body on earth restricted to movement with a face hidden behind a Covid mask. Gemma and I designed this card for his memorial service, and I believe the quote encapsulates my Dad fully as he was such a humble person.
My Dad passed away on the 15th of January after battling bladder cancer. I do feel that I need to say a few words about him here. He was an absolutely free spirit, who loved the outdoors and was extremely passionate about his mountains and hiking through them. I think had he been here now during this whole Covid Saga, he would have gone mad. I can only trust that his death came at the perfect time for him, and that although I miss him like crazy, I believe that his spirit is happy to be wild and free, not to have to be in a body on earth restricted to movement with a face hidden behind a Covid mask. Gemma and I designed this card for his memorial service, and I believe the quote encapsulates my Dad fully as he was such a humble person.
Shortly after my Dad's memorial service, Gemma ended up in hospital for a week with her sugars spiking and then dropping very low with no apparent reason.
So going back the suitcase story..... by the time the school holidays started I felt like I really needed a break from everything. Gemma was due to go on a squash tour to East London for the first weekend of the school holiday, and because of her erratic blood sugars, we were going to make a holiday of it and follow her bus there. Michael and I agreed that I would go to the lodge from Sunday to Wednesday, to get a break and have some time away. I was going to return to Bloemfontein and then we were going to head to East London together. I had packed clothes for 3 days only. I arrived at the lodge on Sunday, and by Monday there was talk of a lockdown and Michael being concerned about the closing of borders, immediately took the children out of school and they arrived at the lodge on Tuesday. Lockdown was officially put in to place shortly after, and we have been at Malealea since. Little did I know that those would be the only clothes I would have to this day, 3 months later - so if I put pictures on and you see me in the same outfit over again - you'll know why.
So going back the suitcase story..... by the time the school holidays started I felt like I really needed a break from everything. Gemma was due to go on a squash tour to East London for the first weekend of the school holiday, and because of her erratic blood sugars, we were going to make a holiday of it and follow her bus there. Michael and I agreed that I would go to the lodge from Sunday to Wednesday, to get a break and have some time away. I was going to return to Bloemfontein and then we were going to head to East London together. I had packed clothes for 3 days only. I arrived at the lodge on Sunday, and by Monday there was talk of a lockdown and Michael being concerned about the closing of borders, immediately took the children out of school and they arrived at the lodge on Tuesday. Lockdown was officially put in to place shortly after, and we have been at Malealea since. Little did I know that those would be the only clothes I would have to this day, 3 months later - so if I put pictures on and you see me in the same outfit over again - you'll know why.