Mopping Up Day

Posted on September 25, 2023 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we encountered some storm issues. There was water blowing in under our bedroom door. Also, because the rain was swept in from the south-east there was water coming under the flashing on one of the joins above us, so there were some drips down a cross beam. These were relatively small leaks. Julian had some on his floor as well, but the biggest issue is we had one phase of electricity knocked out so we are currently entirely dependent on our solar system. We have logged a fault with the electricity department but we are sure with major flooding issues across the city, we are low down on their priority list. We’ve managed to scramble up to 100% solar despite the day looking like this…

The other surprising thing was two of the shrubs alongside the stairs blew over onto the steps.

Mike had to saw them up into pieces.

This was the second most significant storm this winter, even though it’s now spring. The one just before Father’s Day back in June was also big enough for the train trip to be cancelled. We are very glad it got rescheduled to this past Saturday and not yesterday.

Tomorrow, sunshine is forecast from late morning, so we should start drying out.

Meantime, despite it being a public holiday, I worked for 7 hours. Mondays have a way of being super busy. The first 2 weeks of October are going to see me working long hours as I cover for one of the directors who is on a business trip visiting clients.

Isaiah 3:10

Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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One of the Rainiest Days

Posted on September 24, 2023 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was one of the rainiest days in Cape Town. It began with a strong black south-easter that blew in a serious cold front. Just before the rain began, I noticed the NSRI Rescue Boat 10 out in the bay. It seemed to be circling and I wondered what was happening, but no one on the WhatsApp groups seemed to know. Eventually, it circled back to a yellow buoy that was bobbing erratically up and down. They spent some time bouncing around that, until I noticed they had got it onboard. It was then that they headed off to Simon’s Town. There was no emergency. They were out to recover the buoy.

This morning I did some shopping, but after the rain set in, I pretty much rotated between my rocking chair and my bed!

Yesterday’s train trip ended well. After the initial spluttering and chugging  over Sir Lowry’s Pass, we gained some momentum and apart from a very short stop just outside Somerset West, it was a smooth journey back to the Waterfront station. This was the view of the N1 from the train line.

We made good time and were home shortly after 6pm.

This morning, this greeted us…

It looks beautiful…and there is the promise of more to come….

And on the topic of nature, when Julian and I were scrambling around the mountain the other day, we encountered a tortoise buried in its nest.

So, on a rainy, stormy evening like tonight, if you don’t have a fireplace & you want some ambiance, this is how it’s done…

Lol. All the ambiance, but no heat…& now no TV to watch!

Isaiah 2:22

Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

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Trip to Elgin by Steam Train

Posted on September 23, 2023 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we caught a steam train! We left early this morning from Cape Town and this was the train we were on…

The journey is divided into three. The first hour takes us to Bellville station. We got there in 45 minutes and spent 15 minutes for the train pilot to guide the train across to a different line to head south. Another 45 minutes and we stopped at Somerset West station – another 15 minute stop before heading up towards Sir Lowry’s Pass. First we went through Sir Lowry’s village…a higgledy piggledy conglomeration of houses with lots of waving children.

Approaching Sir Lowry’s pass….Mike and Julian watching the world go by…

It was amazing to see Sir Lowry’s Pass from the train…After leaving Cape Town at 8.05am, we arrived in Elgin at 11.15am.Elgin has an amazing market that stands out as being busy, but also very well run.

Lots of food stalls and local produce and also an artist doing caricatures.

Live music…

And lots of people…

The building is amazing. As we had 3 hours, we decided to take a walk through the area. While the road was unexpectedly busy, it was very pretty.

On our way back to the market for lunch, we stopped at the train engine and took a few photos…real steam train…this is the fire in the engine.

They did say they supplemented it with diesel to get it up the hill. I got a chance in the driver’s seat…

Mike and I in front of the train at Elgin Station.

We had lunch and by the time that was done, it was just about time to return to the train. Having a hot spot and my lap top, I have been able to do this blog on the train, so while we are creeping over Sir Lowry’s Pass towards Cape Town, I am now almost done. We should get back to the city at about 6pm. The train is creaking and cranking a little, with a few unsuspecting lurches which we didn’t have on the way here. We are hoping we don’t have engine trouble! The train driver told Julian the train is 76 years old, having been built in 1947, so I guess some clunking may be expected. The difference between our outward journey and the homeward one is they changed the order of the engines, so at the front is not the black and red steam engine in my first photo but an old red diesel carriage that it was originally attached to. I don’t think they can do it any differently because there was no place to turn around in Elgin. The host in our carriage tells us the slow unruly swaying and stumbling is because the tracks are wet from the rain and they are struggling to get traction on them. We are going very slowly right now – 9km hour! Old school train travel. Anyway, eventually, we will get home.

A great day out.

When we do get home, we look forward to the rugby tonight. SA vss Ireland. It should be a cracker of a match.

I’ve been reading Isaiah this month, so thought I would take selected verses from this mammoth book.

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

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A Snapshot of Friday

Posted on September 22, 2023 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that began with no wind and no rain. A beautiful day.

David came up for breakfast and when he left, we went to the beach! It was wonderful to swim again. The water wasn’t too cold – Rose said it was 14/15C. Perfect day for a swim.

I came home, had breakfast and went to work. Then Mike said, ‘oh no, the cats have caught something!’ I went to investigate and it was a fat, scaly, black lizard. At first I thought it was dead, but as I shoo’ed the cats away, I saw it breathing. We trapped it in a bowl.

Poor little thing…and let it go…

Quite a tough skin – I don’t think it was hurt.

Butter won’t melt in their mouths…bottom on is the main hunter.

At lunchtime, David dropped me in Glencairn for a facial. He went to have a haircut, bought some lunch and sat at the beach before returning to pick me up. Got home fairly tired, but said he’ll come up for dinner.

And finally, the Amaryllis is on the verge of blossom.

A lot to be grateful for.

The last verse of the Psalms. Tomorrow I’ll start with the gems in Isaiah.

Psalm 150:6

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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Tiny Improvement

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was a rainy, misty drizzly day in Cape Town. Spring Solstice where the city should be warming, but instead the maximum temperature scrambled up to 15C and we all were in jackets and scarves. Julian and I walked to the shops for mince for spaghetti bolognaise this evening.

Not many people but lots of seaweed.

Work was relatively quiet. I worked less than 6 hours. Back at catland, Raiku had the right idea.

Claw’d wasn’t quite so well tucked up.

They hardly went out today.

Someone else who didn’t go out today was David, but that’s nothing new. He did go out on Tuesday. He went to Kommetjie Lighthouse and did the 900m walk/jog – but more walk. He has recovered well. When we reflect back, we are realising we are seeing a tiny improvement. We don’t want to get too excited.  We learned a while ago this isn’t going to be David waking up one day and being 100% better – sure, God can do that, but the improvement is going to take time – it’s a very slow process.  But, when I looked back on my blog, I found that on 3rd April, before he started his triple therapy anticoagulant treatment, we went to the same place (Kom Lighthouse). It was a sunny day but our hearts were bleak because it was the day David was initially due to leave for China. Stuart left and David didn’t. It was just a hard reality kind of day.  David wanted to try to walk 250m & it was painfully slow.  On that day, I wrote, “He did it but it was exhausting. He had to sit down half way and when we got home he was finished.” He slept for 2 hours.  This  photo was taken on that day…

On Tuesday 19th September (yes 2 days ago)  when he went to Kom Lighthouse, he drove himself;  he left his stick in the car and he mostly walked, with intermittent 1 minute jogs, getting his heart rate up to more than 150bpm. He did 900m. When he got back, he was tired to be sure, but he climbed the 100 steps back up to the house and he rested. In the evening he was okay. The next day (yesterday), his legs were very heavy, but he was okay. He even had a friend visit in the afternoon. This morning, he came up for coffee and he was fine. And even though he has had a very busy day today and this evening he is tired, he hasn’t had the devastating crash that came after dawdling a painstaking 250m on 3rd April. In comparison to 3rd April, he’s a bit better, but compared to his normal self, there is a tiny improvement.

And we’ll take that!  He has been much better at managing his energy levels, so rest is key to his recovery and he’s focusing on that. He’ll go for his next round of blood tests in a few weeks time to see if the microclots in his platelets are any smaller. That will be another indicator that better health is ahead. Meantime, he’s off sugar and most dairy which has been tough, but he’s determined to try anything.

I read an excellent quote from CS Lewis today. “You can’t go back and change the beginning but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

Psalm 150:3

Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet,  praise Him with the harp and lyre…

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

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Spring Inside and Out

Posted on September 20, 2023 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was a busy, busy Wednesday. It was the first day that the weather was sunny enough to catch up with washing and there was tons of it. So we got that done. I also had a couple of work meetings so was kept busy for most of the day.

One of the things we have been enjoying is seeing the spring flowers blossoming. We had an Amaryllis in a pot in February last year and it died off and to be honest we completely forgot about it. This was it when we got it…

It was outside the front door and suddenly it began to grow, so we bought it inside to protect it from the wind and put it in front of the sun-filled balcony doors. It shot up…this was yesterday…

And this was today…

I’m looking forward to seeing it come into full bloom.

Meanwhile, yesterday evening, Mike and I took a walk in the drizzly weather. Our route took us towards the start of Elsie’s Peak past more spring flowers…

I just love walking on the mountain, even if it’s just the edge of it.

I hope to walk more this summer.

Today’s blog with not a cat in sight!

Psalm 150:2

Praise Him for His acts of power;  praise Him for His surpassing greatness.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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Morning Observations

Posted on September 19, 2023 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day the cats woke up around 5.45am and they were meowing loudly. Clearly they were hungry. I got up, let them out the study and fed them. It wasn’t only the cats making a noise. The day began with the tweeting of rising birds and when I opened my bedroom door, my mind went back about 53 years to when I was a tiny tot & we went to visit the Vumba in Zimbabwe. The first morning of our holiday there was the fresh smell of newly fallen rain and the chirping of the birds and the same sounds and smells greeted me today. The combination always makes me think of the Vumba.

The cats went out but soon returned and then the focus of their attention was what was going on outside. They like to look. They watch the birds flitting across the sky.

After I took this photo, I went outside to take one from the balcony. They completely ignored me and fixed their gaze on something far more interesting. My handsome pair.

Then later, it was off to my bedroom door to view the goings on from there.

They see things I can’t see and they hear things I miss. So cute. With the weather drizzly, they’ve spent most of the time indoors.

David, meanwhile, decided to go and ‘do some exercise’. Since his visit to the cardiologist where he learned his heart is in fine order, it has calmed his concern about whether he is able to get his heart rate up without causing any damage. He drove to Kommetjie and walked/jogged about 900m. He got his heart rate up to about 155. When he came home, his legs were super tired but that’s not surprising because he also had the stairs to climb. At least now he can fully rest for another couple of weeks before trying again.

I’ve worked for close to 7 hours which is a nice day.

Psalm 150:1

Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

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Cats & the Gecko

Posted on September 18, 2023 by Helga

Monday

Dear Elsie

Today was a good day for you! You got a special treats for doing so well at school and you were beyond excited! We are all so proud of you.

Back at our house, I had a busy day. Work was very busy. In the afternoon we had guests arriving and I had just checked the apartment to make sure it was ready. When I got back to our apartment, there were the cats circling around a hissing gecko!

I am pretty sure one of them bought it in. I put a glass bowl over it…

Then we got a piece of card and shuffled it onto it…

We took it out onto the mountainside and let it go…

And off it went…

The cats were ticked off that I took away their toy! I’m sure the gecko was  happy we’d saved him. I went back later to see if he was gone and he had disappeared.

The guests arrived from Germany – first visit to South Africa. They are young and here until Sunday. Very sweet couple, who seemed very excited to have arrived and love the view.

David released a new chess video the other day and it seems to be going semi-viral which is encouraging. In the future, David wants to look back & see that during this time, he made good use of his time.

It won’t be forever.

Psalm 149:5
Let His faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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On the Menu

Posted on September 17, 2023 by Helga

Sunday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that had a number of things on the menu. David taught. We walked and when we got home, David had finished his first lesson and was already downstairs watching the start of the cricket. I then cooked egg & bacon rolls for breakfast. We watched South Africa labour and then smash their way through their innings against Australia. It was the 5th match of a ODI competition that saw Australia thrash SA in the first two. SA came back to do the same against the visitors in the next two. Today was the decider. The cricket would last most of the day, starting at 10am and finishing at 5pm. Brunch were the egg and bacon rolls and lupper was at 3.30pm. My view while cooking…TV was on – just can’t be seen.

Lupper on the go…

Not only was their cricket, but there was also rugby, so it was a bumper afternoon. The cricket outcome was very satisfying.

We won both convincingly with the Springboks thrashing Romania 76-0.

A very satisfying day of sport. Who knew we’d win the ODI series!

In between all of this, I was doing laundry and took some towels down to the guest in the cottage and arranged his next 3 visits. He’s coming for  close to 4 weeks up to 23rd December, part of February and then again a month from March to April. This is someone who usefully plans ahead.

Then I went for a walk. The mountains are alive with spring flowers. A beautiful picture.

Thank you Lord for this day. We have today.

Psalm 149:4
For the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with victory.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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High, High Tide

Posted on September 16, 2023 by Helga

Saturday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day you and I had a fine chat and you showed me how you swing on your indoor hammock. It will be interesting when you read this in the future, what your adult self remembers of the indoor hammock. You can make it rock! You watched the cats and showed me your book and I also saw the new part of your house, which is so exciting. I did 2 loads of washing, which in hindsight was a bit too much as the day was gloomy and the scullery is now taken over by all of it.

In the afternoon, I had a snooze on my rocking chair which was wonderful and then I went for a walk during high, high tide. I went down to the coast, crossing the bridge and then turning back just below Sunnycove Station.

The tide was high and the sea was boisterous. This beacon I can see from my desk.

Looking up to our house…

The beacon from our house…it’s on that outcrop of rocks.

The busy sea today…

Then I hopped and skipped along the cat walk. Skellies pool fill to the brim…

I had to pick my moment to get past here…

The flooded subway…

The sea had been right up to the restaurant…

Not wanting to return along the cat walk, I walked home the mountain route. Enthusiastic surfers were taking on the waves…this is from Daisy Lane.

Home along the very overgrown mountainside and back down through the new part of the build. Remember this photo…

Well this is looking down from the other side…

Stairs will start appearing soon.

And now, there’s pizza for dinner and it has just arrived. Time to go!

Psalm 149:1
Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song..

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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What Grabbed our Attention Today

Posted on September 15, 2023 by Helga

Friday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day I did half a day’s work, had an important meeting, visited friends, welcomed guests and watched cricket!

And that’s it! I could end the blog here, but I’d better unpack it a little. The important meeting was work related and would affect my income for the year ahead. It went well and I should be employed for the next 12 months. I’m grateful for the work that God provides. I enjoy it, find satisfaction in it and am appreciated for it. This is a gift from God.

I went to Riana’s for tea for a couple of hours, stopped at the shops and then zipped home to put finishing touches in the Seaview Apartment. I have childhood friends arrive – they grew up in the Eastern Cape I think. One still lives in PE and the other in Johannesburg. They met in Cape Town for the weekend before they both fly back to Joburg on Sunday and they are staying at hour place for the weekend. They are a breath of fresh air. They were so enthusiastic about everything & were a joy to have.

Now, the cricket is what has grabbed our attention today. Flip, South Africa were chugging along doing their best when suddenly Klaasen full on got his eye in, started seeing the cricket ball like it was a soccer ball and started hitting the ball all over the park!

174 off 83 balls – out on the last ball and the home team had rushed to an incredible 416/5. As I write, it looks like this.

What makes us so happy is that we won the last game and that was after losing 5 cricket games against Australia. Whitewashed in the T20, we lost 3-0 and then the first 2 of this ODI series of 5. This is game 4 and if we win this one, we’ll be even on 2-2 with one to play.

One other thing that happened today – the cats were back to fighting! Claw’d with Raiku’s head in a firm paw grip

It was good to see them completely back to normal.

Back to watch the game.

Psalm 148:13
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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Fighting is on Hold

Posted on September 14, 2023 by Helga

Thursday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day the cats returned to normal except the fighting is on hold. They still have a trace of the icky flea killer on their coats and they don’t want to engage in neck biting, head butting or ear scratching, not that they actually harm each other. They both still smell a little like super glue. But everyone is happy in the hood. Raiku went out today and I had a hilarious few moments watching him desperately trying to catch a butterfly. It led him on a merry dance and had him jumping and twisting to try get to it – all fruitless – completely outwitted by a moth!

The last couple of days have been hard on David. He’s had more than usual fatigue. He could be a lot worse, but this is so hard. It’s hard for us to see him like this and it’s hard for him to be like this. I wish, oh how I wish, I could swap places. Let me be the one with the struggle. If only I could take this burden from him. But that’s not how it works. It’s a horrible journey that  cannot be avoided. It’s a test in faith and a workout in resilience. What adds to the pain is he is off all dairy and sugar, so none of the things that may have bought comfort are on the list of food to eat. Even sugar-free cookies are off the snack menu.  Anyway, he keeps his sense of humour and has had friends visiting this week which is helpful. He’s gone upstairs to talk to Jack.

Meanwhile, the wall at the top of the stairs is coming along.

This is where the next stairs will go…

All built by Courage and Brian. Amazing how much, given time, can be achieved by just 2 strong men.

Psalm 148:1 – Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise Him in the heights above.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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2 Months

Posted on September 13, 2023 by Helga

Wednesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day we celebrated 2 months with the cats. They have had a quiet day as neither appreciated the flea and tick drops of yesterday. Claw’d tolerated them better, but Raiku has been a bit subdued and spent most of the day indoors. They have not had a wrestling match since yesterday morning. But they are eating and drinking normally, so I’m not too worried. I’m sure they will be back to normal tomorrow. The stuff doesn’t smell too good (smells like super glue), but that is wearing off. I got photos of them individually. Claw’d…

And Raiku…

Both looking so hopeful that snacks will appear! We adopted them from a guy called Sean who had Claw’d as a kitten for 4 months before Raiku arrived on the scene. Sean trained them well. He taught them not to jump up on anything so they generally stay on the floor or on their cat stand. Sometimes, they’ll sit on our lap and on the back of the couch. The funniest thing I discovered with Claw’d is he will obey when told to ‘sit’. At first I thought it was a coincidence but now I tell him to sit when offering him snacks, & he does it more times than not. Happy 2 months boys!

It was busy at the house today. We had a delivery of sand, so that was carried up to the top. One guest left. Ruth was here to clean that unit and the next guests arrive on Friday, leave on Sunday and another two arrive on Monday.

After a beautiful sunny day, rain is forecast. And, we won the cricket last night!

Psalm 147:10-11
His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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Newsy Things

Posted on September 12, 2023 by Helga

Tuesday

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that I heard a whole lot of newsy things.  I got to take Julian to the airport and on the way home dropped the car at the Sun Valley house so it could be under cover while he is away. Mike had been following me on google maps and we had planned to meet about a kilometer away so I could get a little walk in, but as I walked, I saw Dawn in the garden. Dawn was our neighbour when we lived there and I hadn’t seen her for ages. I went to greet her and found her to be looking very pale and hobbling with an protective boot on her right leg. I asked her what happened and she said she had had some health issues (2 seizures) and one morning in July her family found her unconscious on the floor with a severe ankle break. There was also blood so something had happened & she had no recollection of what. She spent 2 weeks in hospital and is now on the mend. She looked very pale. I asked her how Theo was. Theo is her husband. She told me Theo had passed away in March after a cancer diagnosis.  I was so shocked. He was always so busy and looked healthy. He was 73. We have very happy memories of Theo and Dawn. They have always been in that house and while we seldom socialised, whenever there was need for help building, or if either Mike or Theo needed a tool of some description, solutions were found and long conversations were had. In fact, it was Theo who came over in 1989 and helped Mike pound down the kitchen wall so it was open plan to the lounge! Life is fragile and each day is to be embraced. Mike drove up at about that time and we went home for me to work.

Then, this afternoon, I decided to get the cats’ tick problem sorted. They have both had ticks on them and with abundant bush and it being spring, this is the time for ticks and fleas. Ticks can harm them, but the muti required freaks me out too. We went to the vet and got their best option which will last 3 months. The cats were duly treated and are now not very happy with me – they are slinking around eying me suspiciously. I’m needing to give them snacks.

As we were leaving for the shops, we noticed a lot of cars on the street and found a group of people gathered and there holding court, was none other than the building inspector Quinten. His audience was comprised of our builder (Werner), Mandy (the owner of one of the plots behind us) and the residents of two doors down who instigated no less than 12 objections to Mandy’s building plans. This intervention was underway as we drove off down the road. On our return, they were still busy, so Mike joined in while I went back to work. The long and the short of it is Mandy’s plans are on hold while there is a dispute regarding her need for parking on our street. Her plot, like all the others behind us, has no road access and she will need to park on our street. The Council has to deliberate the options and decide on a plan going forward. Meantime, she has a plot. She has plans. She is paying rates and she is getting nothing for them. We will wait with interest to see what happens.

Talking of building, yesterday, a large truck with a bright green container reversed down the street and delivered the container at the end of the road. I messaged the last house in the road and he confirmed they are planning to complete their build.

The whales were in the bay again today and there were some super sightings. Dhiresh posted this photo to our Whatsapp group.

Final news relates to the shouts coming from the lounge as Mike and David voice their desperate need for the SA cricket team to win a game against Australia. Each of the 4 wickets that has fallen has been loudly applauded with the hope of more to come. Each near miss is followed by groans. Dropped catches are followed by roars of horror and misery.

And amidst all of this I worked close to 7 hours.

A newsworthy day to be sure!

Psalm 147:8
He covers the sky with clouds;  He supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

 

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9-11 Miracles

Posted on September 11, 2023 by Helga

Monday 11th September 2023

Dear Elsie

Today was the day that 22 years ago the World Trade Towers fell in an unprecedented attack. I remember the day well. I remember seeing the news and being glued to the TV as the awful events unfolded. After a few days amazing stories started filtering across the world as people who had miraculously survived the event started telling what happened to them. One of them was a man called Stanley. I remember reading his story on air. He was completely trapped on one of higher floors. When he heard voices, he started calling for help. Someone heard his cries and he saw a flash light. He began to hope that he may be saved and indeed he was. After the show, people phoned in by the dozens for a copy of Stanley’s story. Those were the days of fax machines. I faxed the story to 100 listeners. Over the years, I tried to find out more about Stanley – the authenticity of his story and what happened to him without success. Then recently on my YouTube feed, I started receiving one  suggestion after another on survivor’s stories. One of them was by a man named Brian Clark who, on the 10th anniversary, spoke at a school meeting.  His account was gripping and I was enthralled. As the story developed, he began to explain that on his way down, he heard a cry for help. He followed the voice and then took his torch and shone it under the debris. The person that saw it was none other than Stanley! Suddenly, I had the other half of the story that I had read on air all those years ago.

Miracles happened that day. This was one of them. This was not the video I watched. For some reason that one is coming up with a video unavailable note, but this one will get you the story.

You can also Google Brian Clark and Stanley Praimnath to get their individual accounts of how they got out the building that day. Quite a story and worth watching. I think if you try on a cell phone the videos are more likely to open.

At the time, we all thought the world will never be the same again. It was devastating. But now 22 years have passed and while we will never forget the events of that day, normalcy has returned.

Psalm 147:7
Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp.

It’s not about now – we are only passing through.

Keep the smile going.

God bless you.

In His Grip,

Gran xx 🙂

 

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