Farewell to Pam

We are often witness to the bravery of individuals. I have had this distinct honour on a number of occassions. Recently this testimony has, as it were, unfolded closer to home. A dear friend, a sister in spirit has braved tremendous challenges. My spirit sister has recently had a double mastectomy. I shudder to even imagine losing what I think defines my manhood. But I slowly realise it is not the feminine form that makes them women. It is the enduring courage and compassion that differentiates them from the male species. There are countless women I could use as examples. Not women in the media, alas women I bear a close association with! For now I want to focus on my spirit sister. She beat the dreaded disease. But life would challenge her even more. She had just bid a final farewell to her sister. Seeing her the next day, I tried to imagine if I could embody such bravery, such courage in the face of such adversity. Could I embrace having to parent a niece or nephew? Would I consider it a gift, a privilege or just a responsibility. While this tragedy unfolds, her ailing mother lies in hospital. What other ingredients could possibly be added to this challenge? Lest I forget...Farewell Pam i didn't know you that well, but your sister speaks highly of you.

Squandering a gift

The choral rehearsal went well. Paulo left the cathedral. He had been pleased with his performance. He loved

it. He felt being approached by Leonardo to pose as the Messiah himself was a well-deserved honour. Who else

could befit the role. He strolled out of the cathedral. Still engrossed with the thought of the Duke of Milan's

recommendation that he would be ideal to portray the innocence of the Messiah. His journey was interrupted

by the approach of a vagrant. Paulo could not hide his disgust for this wretched creature. How dare someone

of such low standing even dare speak to him. Drunk and filthy, Claudius was desparate for his next meal. He

had not bothered to eat for days. Now, the hunger pangs was gnawing at him. He hoped that Paulo would take

pity on him. But Paulo could not have cared less. Why should he? Why should he pity someone less fortunate

than himself? Why should a drunken beggar on the via be his concern? Claudius grabbed at Paulo's robe,

tearing it. Paulo was furious and and proceeded to kick him. He was angry. The Duke of Milan had given him

that robe. How could someone live that way? Always drunk, always begging living on the streets.

I took the advice...I changed my perspective

It was going to be a different sort of weekend. It always happens that we let unpleasant issues determine everything in its entirety. So there I was at the doorstep of yet another weekend. So I'm thinking well it doesn't have to be that bad. Besides you have no control about what's bad, none whatsoever. I then proceed to think about the really good things instore for me. Friday evenings, violin instruction at the music academy. I like it, it challenges me, it has rules. You must follow them or else you will be making a lot of noise. One of my rugby coaches always said you need players who could play the piano and you need players who could move the piano. He was referring to the subtle nuances between the backline and the pack of forwards. Well, Mr Coach I play the violin and carry it where it needs to be. Well, then there is my pride and joy, Zara and Thaqeeb, I get to share in their joy. They're real fun, except when they are hungry or sleepy. I cannot imagine life without them. Who would miss me when I'm gone? Who would remember me kindly only? Oh yes, I was writing about how we let the odd bad experience over-arch everything. Well, it would have to be really bad for me not to think fondly of my weekends, my weeks, my seasons, in fact my life. There are so many good things about people, even the worst of them have good qualities and they may just have lost their way. So if you really are the better person, you must draw them back onto that righteous path, not further down a slippery slope. We have all lost our way some time or the other.

The next installment of La Ultima Cena will be published sometime this week. It takes an even nastier turn, unfortunately, but then again what should be the wages for our sins?