The first entry is from the 24th of July 1998, she is writing while at the Westville Pavillion in Durban, having been to see Dad at St. Augustine's hospital; the second entry, is a year later, and Dad was driving to Kokstad to see her after the birth of Joss.
She and Guy have just been out to South Africa to see fathers' and family. And her visit to Dad in Amanzimtoti, is a visit to his bedside as she did 17 years ago.
I am so struck by these circles of life.
Inel's pen sketch of Dad in his hospital bed, day 7 after his massive stroke aged 69, already shows his weak right arm, bent at the elbow, passively at his side. His head supported by multiple cushions and the sheet crumpled at his waist.
It could be a sketch of him now, the stroke coming back to haunt him, leaving him immobile, his right side completely seized. The moustache is gone though as is the bulk around his chest and upper arms.
He did recover so well from this stroke, as can be seen from Inel's quick note that he is 90% back to normal. His 70th birthday celebrations were at Quantani on the Sterkfontein Dam and he surprised us all by walking the steep hill behind the chalets. He had so many wonderful independent years in his 5th floor apartment with its glorious views, he played really good bridge, he travelled extensively, spending special moments with us all while watching his family grow.'It is now 6pm, he is settled watching cricket, SA vs England.' Sport on TV is still a part of Dad's life. The remote lies on his bed, it is in easy reach of his good hand and he is able to keep an eye on the world.
Inel wrote 'he is in good spirits', and he still is after all he has experienced. He can still be driven crazy though by the noise, the staff and his fellow ward partners.
Ah, the circle of life.
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| Inel and Guy with Dad, looking delighted to see them both. |
PostScript:
For Dad:
'...we cannot sift our histories alone. Somehow they must exist beyond ourselves.'
Extract: The Keeper.
Marguerite Poland
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