In the early morning hours of 16 October 1995 my grandfather passed away. Our lives haven’t been the same since.

Ouma and Oupa at my brother’s 21st birthday lunch in May 1995.

On the afternoon of 16 October 2013 my grandmother joined him. This morning we said our final goodbyes. I have no words for the sadness that I carry, and I know that it’s only a fraction of what my mother must feel – losing several loved ones on the same day; a single day before her own birthday – and there’s nothing I can say or do to comfort her.

Gran and me at my nephew’s christening in 1999

This is also why I’ve been absent from the blog for the last almost two weeks. I’m hoping to resume frequent posting again next week; thanks for bearing with me.