The Tearing

 Once again, the time has come to say goodbye to my darling grandson.

    We spoke about this a few days ago, saying that if we wanted to see each other, we will have to learn to cope with the tearing that happens each time we part. But we also both agreed that it is very painful.

    As he lies asleep still, I'm thankful for the beautiful, perfectly balanced new day that HaShem has given us. When he wakes up shortly, we will have our last breakfast together until we see each other again in the July school holidays. 

    I'm also thankful for a beautiful visit. He has matured in so many ways since I last saw him - only six months ago - and, just like the day, his visit has been perfectly balanced. Thank You HaShem.

    We had a family day on the beach, he played with his friend around the corner a lot, his mom, aunties and uncles visited him as often as they could, we built five huge puzzles together, played Go Fish, Pictionary, Monopoly, watched animal movies, took a lot of walks to the shop and just simply enjoyed each other's company. It was a blessed time.

    I am very grateful to his dad and stepmom for bringing him to see me for the two big school holidays. I hope and pray each year that I will be able to go to visit him for his birthday in February. His 9th birthday - the last one he had here in East London - was a special affair. Juan-Dre, his dad and I went to Spur and they sang for him and he was so happy! He ordered two complete meals and although he couldn't finish them entirely, he only took a small doggy bag home. It was a wonderful, beautiful occasion - one to always remember.

    Last year, his 10th birthday, was the first one he spent in Port Elizabeth and I was very fortunate to be able to be there with him for that one too. May HaShem bless us both with the means for me to do so again this and every year.

    The Lord has seen to it that today, the day I say goodbye to Juan-Dre, is a very busy one. Apart from all the usual lesson prep I have to do on Sundays, there is also a special live Hanukkah session from the Holy Land, our usual Torah class, lighting the first candle and attending our community Hanukkah session. And, of course, later, I will be calling Juan-Dre to pray and say goodnight as I do every day that he is not here with me. I am thankful that he still wants to do that - may he always. 

    We both have alarms on our phones that go off at 7.15pm every day to remind us it's time to pray together. These alarms continued to go off daily while he was here. So special.

    Marissa has just messaged to say they're on their way. Juan-Dre has just gotten out of bed. It's time to spend the last two hours with him.

Thank You God for my grandson!