Skip to main content

In fond remembrance of Sakkie Geduld

My Grandfather's Hands My Gramps' hands They held me tight The day that I was born I'm told he sang a lullaby and drew me close and warm Picking fruit in the back garden And bike rides 'round the block His hands would clean a scrape or cut Soothe when I took a knock When my plaster cast came off His hands stretched out to steady He said, "Move forward slowly girl, step when you are ready..." Gramps' hands provided A light mid-afternoon snack: Half a dumpie guava juice And Flanagans crisps - green pack To keep school extra-mural dates He'd help pick up the pace He'd call me Desperado and carry my violin case Gramps' hands would give me A sturdy birthday shake He'd say, "Another year older...Now behave for heaven's sake!" And as I walked the aisle that day And his hand just brushed past mine I had no doubt of his love for us As sure as the sun would shine! And when he took our baby girl So gently in his care My heart was filled with joy and thanks That in her life he'd share And then last week my Gramps' hands suddenly went still They were placed across his chest Pale, with a chill Of this I'm sure, his hands, I know Won't always be this way Those gentle hands - so tan and strong Will live again one day.

Comments

  1. michelleJune 14, 2011 at 10:03 PM

    Beautiful! You know just how to put the words together.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Robyn Hendricks KlaasenJune 16, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    Ah man, I wanted to put your poem on my blog! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. MimiJune 21, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    This truly represents 'la vida de Sakkie comos los vemos'. Thanks Ash. There are tears: but they're smiley tears because this is gramps as we remember him. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The week that has been...

"Life as we see it", right? My time so far at the cycle tour office is reminding me of just how demanding life in this age can be - a time seeking instant solution and gratification: We want it now! We won't wait! This is what makes a relaxing, easy going activity seem so rewarding! We've always been fortunate enough to cook with pleasure - obviously more for mine! And since returning from BA, we've also found great enjoyment from leisurely strolls in the neighbourhood or at Sea Point promenade. Take time for this! Here's what we've been a part of this past week: We were encouraged to see a group of students from Bishops come out (even in the rain) and join with the FBC team in painting a mural on the school's new diningroom and kitchen wall. For news and updates visit: http://www.fbcschool.org.za/ We joined over 15 000 walkers in a quest to feed the hungry children in the Western Cape, by participaing in the Blisters for Bread walk on Sunday. We tackl...
1 comment
Read more

That's so amazing about Grace

Scrolling through some photos this afternoon, I came across one of our friend Tarrin-Rae and her new baby girl, Isla, born last Thursday 31 October 2013. Isla Grace Graham I struggled to contain my own emotions as I observed this special moment in Tarrin's life (and new Isla's too) and thought back to my own experiences. I immediately asked Tarrin if I may use this to share a bit more of what I some times feel as a Mom... At first glance, I see relief . She's finally here! We can see her face in real life and we can say out loud "I am a Mommy!" Like my own kids, Isla was in no hurry to be born and labour was induced. What's worse than having to wait 40 weeks to meet your newest family member?? Having to wait longer still! I must confess, that this feeling was mixed with a fair dose of disbelief  on my part too - when I sat quietly resting between visitors and feeds, I had to pinch my literal self and realise - the baby was here. Then I see comfort ....
5 comments
Read more

A trip and a journey

It's a little after 4am and I'm watching my family form letterland characters with their bodies, across my bed. Unless I'm the 'underline' in the word, I have no place to lay my head here... That's a pretty normal situation these days - The only difference today is that instead of a sleepy tussle for my rightful place in the alphabet bed, I'm wide awake, mentally preparing for my drive out to Swellendam at 6am. And it's just dawned on me: this is the first event of the peak season for me, I'm almost on my way out the door and a daunting goal (Ethan's self-soothing) is 3 and a half weeks in motion. Yippee!! I remember thinking about this a lot before heading back to work in August, wondering how (and if!) it could be done and whether I would miss this event altogether because of it - or drive through daily (which aged me considerably during our events in March)... And here I am, almost 4 weeks clear of a 4 year practise - and ev...
1 comment
Read more