15 Nov 2025 ~ SWEET MEMORIES, BITTER LOSS

15 Nov 2019 - Six friends are embarking on a weekend of solitude, spiritual reflection and rest. Our destination, Umpukane 10 km outside Clocolan in the Eastern Free State. Our purpose was to connect with nature, ourselves and God. The reason why we did it as a group was to help us understand that we are not doing life on our own. There are people accompanying us through its challenges. 

Oh, how sweet are these memories…

As we sat around the fire that first night it did not even cross my mind how fragile human connections can be.  Since that epic weekend Riaan and Louis died, Gielie moved to Cape Town, Johan abandoned me after I quit my job as pastor because of burnout, and Jimmy grew quiet at the beginning of this year. 

Oh, how bitter the loss.

Today, except for my dear wife, I have no friends at all. Some I neglected, some were taken away and others abandoned me. And, although I try to convince myself that I am okay, I am really not. My heart is broken. This past decade has taken its toll on my being. 

Maybe it is time for me to work through the pain of loss…