Ouma Katie

26 April 2017

Shortly after our morning run, we received a call from South Africa. Jarik’s grandma passed away unexpectedly. Our first response was immense gratitude, because just two days ago we phoned her (we share a birthday) and all six of us had a nice long chat with her. She cried as we started to sing and she cried some more when we said goodbye. She was well and happy and telling us about a family wedding they attended last weekend.

Life is precious and short and can end so abruptly. In this case, however, our beloved Ouma Katie lived a long, full life. In her final moments well loved and busy with her normal everyday things. We are sad that she is gone and we shall miss her, but we are eternally grateful and rich to have loved her.

– Mariza –

 

My Ouma Katie      24 April 1928 – 26 April 2017

Author: Kali

 

Haar hande sag en klein,

Sonstrale laat haar hare skyn,

Soos die pêrels om haar ou nek,

En die netjiese pakkie wat haar lyfie bedek.

 

My hart geskeur en in pyn,

En die trane loop,

Vir my oumatjie so fyn en mooi,

En net so soet soos stroop.

 

Ek ruik haar nog in my klere,

Van ons oulaas soen en druk.

Oral dryf haar geure,

Wat aan my hart snare ruk.

 

As ek geweet het dis oulaas,

Het ek langer vasgehou.

Sonder die onnodige haas,

En erg oor almal wat aanskou.

 

Altyd met ‘n hondjie aan haar sy,

Soos ‘n kind wat alles kry.

In die kombuis voor die stoof,

Staan my oumatjie ewe vrolik,

En al ‘n klein bietjie doof.

 

So verimpeld soos ‘n rosyntjie,

So sag soos sy,

Dis my ou oumatjie,

Sy staan en glimlag vir my.

 

Wanneer sy met my praat,

Is my oë stip,

Op daai ‘tamatie pit’ op haar onder lip.

 

Sien ek as ek terug kyk:

Haar lewe was lank en ryk.

Die liewe Here haar gespaar,

Maar nou begeer Hy haar.

 

Al is my hart in skerwe,

Is ek so verlig en bly.

My Ouma by die Here,

Met al die Turkish delight wat ‘n mens kan kry.

 

Lief my Ouma Katie,

Ek sien jou eendag weer.

Met nog ‘n soen en druk,

Dis wat my hart begeer!

 

Met arms vol liefde en verlange,

Kali xx