Grandad

I finally managed to organise my 2 days off up in Whoop Whoop. Only problem was 3 other doctors also decided on taking those days off. So instead of taking the whole day off, I had to come in at 6:30am and work till 11am to sort out my patients and make them stable so Dr Dolittle could take over their care.

I raced home, packed my bags into my hail-punctated car* and drove off into the windy hill roads towards the north. Just over an hour later I reached my Grandfather's home. Nestled in a former volcanic crater and along a meandering river, it was set in an idyllic village that time forgot.

We had a quiet lunch and retired to his living room to sip tea and discuss all of life's problems. Over the next 4 days we talked about anything and everything. The looming election, the soccer, love, family, my dad's impending death, my mother, my sisters, my job, my future, our faith, the price of bananas, the fuel effiency of hybrid cars. Nothing was vetoed and everything seemed so much simpler after being processed in his wisdom. His age supplied a calming effect to all my worries. His knowing smile assured me that my troubles were not unique.

He told me his own stories of his former youth in the London Metro police force. Breaking down doors, arresting inebriates and protecting women from violence. Political correctness and practical jokes. Wooing women and riding motorbikes.

He did not look his age. His youthful humour and energy for life hid his decaying body and concurrent illnesses from me. I saw a man before me worth imitating. A man who had fought many battles in his life and persevered. A man who stood up for what was right and was preparred to count the cost. And at the end of it could dispense advice to his green grandson.

I don't know how much longer he'll have on earth. With my father's failing cognition, I value Grandad's input as a male role model all the more. I drove back down the hillside today refreshed. Thankful to God for such great men in my family who have been such a blessing to me.

Thankyou Grandad!

* Whoop Whoop was subjected to a freakish hail storm which inflicted over 10 million dollars worth of damage and resulted in 643 repairs to various homes/businesses. Alas my beloved car was ravaged by golf ball sized icecubes and every single panal bears the marks of the storm. The insurance people tell me it'll be at least 3 weeks before they can get to look at her damage. My poor baby... =(