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Housekeeping 1 June 2020

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Those of you following my different blogs on e-Blogger and Facebook the last few months will know - ho usework was never my forte. Jeff passing in the middle of lockdown with no maid available, has emphasised my lack of skills at having to do housework. I am not even talking about the nightmare of the vacuum cleaner, but of sorting out his 70 years of hording. <sigh!!> Jeff died two weeks ago so I decided time to tackle his drawers and cupboards - give away what I can to friends, keep for the kids what they may want to have and give the rest to the church for their jumble sale once a month towards supporting abused women and children. Will hang my clothes in place of his. I ask you with tears in my baby-blue eyes - 10 military hankies - he never used, 8 stress balls - just in case he could not get more to strengthen his arteries for dialysis. 7 packets of military shoe laces - on pension he only wore sandals, new pants with the price tags still attached and shorts he hardly ever...
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21st May 2020 Alone with my thoughts

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  Last Thursday Jeff Knipe left this existence for one far better. It may not be part of your mind-set, but it was part of his. We who are left behind are the poorer for his leaving, but he is wearing his crown given to him in glory. Some pictures of today - no description, think out-of-the-box - each tells a story.
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Celebrate Life 20th May 2020 I crawled out from under my mosquito net to another day of life alone. I celebrated that I was still strong, healthy enough to tackle the day ahead. Filled with a million happy memories hugging me in the early morning. That first cup of steaming hot coffee just kick-started my day. Dragged all Jeff's belongings upstairs into storage for kids to come and rummage through once this whole fiasco is over. I rent out holiday rooms and found my one locked cupboard I now wanted to use, where I stored Jeff's military attire - his black Jackets with their badges on and his formal top with his medals - open and attire all stolen. I wonder if they realise what happens when you steal from Gods own family? I am not sentimental but I pray they ended up in a collectors hands. Ag well you know what - you can't take it with you, I can attest to that. Morning spent with Estate Administrator. It has been strangely comforting digging through the documents of our ...
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For the Last Time Blog 16th May 2020 [Funeral Home]

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For the Last Time - Visiting the Funeral Home during Covid Lockdown So I went off to sign documents. Like a child the night before Christmas because I had been under lockdown and now I could drive without fear of being arrested. Can you believe that a car trip can be so exciting. Remember I am high risk so I don't sommer go out. Mask, throw away rubber gloves -all I needed was the beard and Rudolf the red nose reindeer. KZN is so beautiful in Autumn. Fresh crisp morning air, but not cold enough for a jacket as yet. The world stays green here as if the flora has for centuries adapted to the low rainfall in the area. Municipal workers all with masks (Zulus don't practice social distancing), slowly getting ready to cut the grass on the verge. Big fat jovial goggas (grannies), still perched next to their home-grown extra large avocados, soaking in the weak early morning sun as it creeps over the shoreline. The turquoise blue funeral home was 3rd world quaint. The staff suitable mo...
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The Final Trail saying goodbye 16th May 2020

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  The Final Trail - saying goodbye When all the love has come and gone, And people, one by one move on. I will think back and remember you, so full of life, so good, so true. I slowly pulled back the sheet, hoping your face once more to meet - Your body still, had kept some heat but where your heart was, I found no beat. Your Spirit and your Soul had fled Leaving your body dead - Your chest was still, to breath no more Your hand hung limp towards the floor. You had been the Alpha male, Leading the pack without a fail, Yet here you lie, still and pale Time to take that final trail - alone Soul look up, your King draws neigh - You were really to young to die, There was so much we aspired - But now you have left my side. Now with angels you will sing - Praises to your God and King. I will not be far behind - Wait for me, on the other side. - my love.
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Life Cycle 14th May 2020

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Life  Cycle This is the inevitable life cycle we all go through. It's always sad to loose a friend, father or spouse, but try to find peace in good memories and the positive impact the person had on your own learning curve and life decisions, and comforting support. Remember the laughs, family holidays, the hard times and the sad times. This is what life is all about. We are after all, just on loan by God to the world. We all have to return to Him at some point in our lives. Some sadly earlier, others have the joy of sharing life into their golden years. When God calls us home - we who are left behind must find peace and joy in this graduation of our friend or family to a higher calling - no tears, no sickness, no pain - who would not want that for a best friend, a father, a partner? It's not life to death. For us who know the truth - it's Life to Life. Be comforted in these words.
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Road to Recovery Poem to Jeffrey Ivan Knipe

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  Ode to a Soulmate during Covid [after 52 years of togetherness] When I felt your spirit slip away from mine. I knew I saw you for the very last time. We met, I was younger then, and lived alone in the world of men. Like two lost souls we intertwined our life lines - me with yours and yours with mine. It seems that it would always last, long summer days and winters past. We climbed the high mountains of life together, Valleys dark at times but friends forever . It's sad that at the end of life, you crossed that last chasm without your wife. Just wait for me on the other shore, it won't be long - separated no more. We will run up the hills, and laugh in the rain in a God-given world with no sickness or pain. We will sing with the angels of mercy and grace As we find each other in that wonderful place. Love is eternal or so they say - I'll be seeing you very soon, one fine day.
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