Devout Catholic and St Dominic’s Academy Matriculant she is the ex-wife of Bryan and the Mother of Ryan, Darryn and Devon. Married to Bryan for twenty-eight years, she was in that time an x-ray spectroscopist for Goldfields Mining Laboratories and De Beers Laboratories, a Wimpy Bar restaurant owner, a bookkeeper and a house mum. Today she is grandmother to Bjorn, Dakota, Gabriel, Holly, Damian, Aryn, Ewin and Joshua.
Bryan,
I question how we outsiders - loving friends - can contribute in a literal sense when we read the beautiful, propriety love expressed by your family.
You are loved by your former corporate Coca Cola colleagues, the ‘village’, ‘sporting’ and ‘passing friends – more than you know.
However, nothing compares to the roaring love expressed by your blood.
It breaks my heart as a Marist Brothers Man to acknowledge your Christian Brothers nobility…. (!).
It is made easier by observing true love as expressed by your offspring. Ignore your children at/to your extreme distress.
I know how much you love living in Umhlanga but life is fleeting Sir – think on these things.
Personally, you have really enriched my life (…how I hate telling a CBC man that!) and I must tell you that - as your family and true friends keep telling you – you are loved.
Respond accordingly – life expects nothing less.
Your family loves you.
So, do your friends.
Garson
Hi Dad,
We have had several emails from concerned friends of yours over the last few weeks - painting a bleak picture of your health, accommodation and finances.
You and I suffer from the same weakness, I think: pride – and sometimes we can hold onto this in the wrong arenas. I am going to relinquish mine – and beg you to please come and stay with us. I don’t want to remember my father as a far-off figure who faded away in the night, a province away. Why don’t you come and stay with us instead? You can write your books and articles, help Summer and I with our businesses, continue to service your clients remotely, spend time building a relationship with your grandkids, heal and recover physically… and leave your mark on this family as the patriarch and beloved father/grandfather who left us with his legacy of wit and wisdom, rather than a character in a shady village a lifetime away.
There is space for you in all our homes – and we would really LOVE to have you as a part of our daily lives. We’ve all discussed this – and all of us feel the same way. It would be so fantastic to be able to see you every day and spend the weekends celebrating the blessings of family which The Lord has given us.
Please?
Hey pops,
Ryan has hit the nail on the head and whilst I don't think I could compete linguistically I'd like to throw my plea in too and say that we really, really want and need you to come and stay with all of us so that we can help in any way we can and ensure that you're happy, healthy and close to family.
Love,
DJ
Hi Dad.
Ilze and I couldn’t agree more. The scare that we’re having with Ilze’s dad has really hit home to me how important it is to spend as much time with family as possible.
It breaks my heart to think that, Heaven forbid, the worst may happen and Joshua might grow up not knowing either of his Grandfather’s so I want to add my voice to the plea that you come up and stay with us. Our family needs to be together to help each other through tough times…and the family isn’t complete without you.
Lots of Love, Ilze and Devon.
