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 “
