Sim

Sim

There are  so many images and thoughts that come to mind when I think of Sim or hear his name

Images of laughter , of seriousness , of focus – above all I get a warm feeling - one that after all these years is as strong as it ever was – if not stronger .

That twinkle in his eye , and his ability to charm ,and encourage us to do the things we perhaps wouldn’t have done .

As time goes by – somehow it all seems like a dream – and yet we were there – we knew it , that feeling of wholeness that he gave us - a comfort in a sometimes unpredictable life .

He was of course a brother to me as a kid – and yes we used to fight – and he won most of the time – just don’t tell any one that !!! At home he used to blixom me , and anywhere else he protected me !

After Dad died , he became a figure that encapsulated the roles of brother and father and then best friend. As a brother he often fought with me –but in a way that he pushed my boundaries As a friend he led me astray – taking me on a guided tour of all that could possibly be frowned on , and as Father he guided me and scolded me – like the time he shat on me about the way I dressed , and that I should jack my ideas up …Me ? me who had this image of him walking in the street in shorts with a hole and no “guddies” on ! or the  image of going into the bank with a”beard from the Boer war” , and no shirt on to see the bank manager !

As a friend we did it all  , commiserated , laughed ,argued ,holidayed and worked – we were connected from the soul

Nine years ago He left on the next journey that we all take , life is unpredictable at best , and though sometimes painful , there is a strength that comes from this  , a quiet power that comes from it all , something we only know or feel .

Today I sit in my studio surrounded by life , the birds are chattering as the sun sets  , and as I contemplate the canvas that I am doing –I ponder this strength I feel from having known him , having been so close to him – its something I am  deeply proud of – something I love to have and cherish deeply within myself .

If I know anything now  , its that life is all about trust -everything is based on trust , and no matter where you are , or how far away -know that what ever you create – create it with love and trust – it will never be broken .

In a few moments the sun will go down   , the change from day to night is such an impressive thing -It seems that the sun is falling from its place in  the sky , –the colors will transfix us a they always do , so much so that they bring us to the present moment .Take a moment now , to “see “the gift you have  been given – we are the lucky ones , we knew Sim , we laughed with him and we learnt from him – no walls were too high to climb, no rivers to deep to swim ,he was doer and whatever he did – he did it with passion .

“Whatever you do , do it right , and do it good , leave behind a virtue that even the storms of time cannot wear away “