Papa Louis...

This weekend has been an emotional roller coaster ride for us. First, it was the build up to Father's Day on Sunday; Jake's been doing a count-down for days and had made a little tool box out of empty match boxes with a card, which he gave to my dad on Sunday morning. I had to try so hard not to cry, it's all so wrong, but at the same time, very sweet that he knows he has men in his life he can count on.

Besides that, on Saturday afternoon, Jacques' grandfather and Jake's great grandfather, Papa Louis, had a pretty big stroke. Papa Louis has always been a very fit, independent man. He plays bridge 3 or 4 times a week in Sea Point and travels up and down on his own. He does his own grocery shopping and cooking. All at the modest age of 85!!

Jacques grandparents were always pretty active and involved and it was wonderful to spend time with them. They all had such beautiful memories and stories to share. Back when Jacques and I started dating (15 years ago!!), Jacques still had all 4 of his grandparents and Papa Louis is now the last of that generation.

While Papa Louis is not very tactful with kids and he's always a little rougher then they like, he adores his grand & great grand children. Jake adores him and loves going to visit Papa. Papa's always been more then welcoming whenever Jake and I have been to visit him. We try to see him at least once a week. Jake has a wonderful little routine when we go there for one of our visits - he always waters the garden, threatening to soak Papa and I. Then he heads off to check for cherry tomatoes, when they're in season. Papa told Jake just last Tuesday that he needs to help him pick his radishes this week. Jake often sweeps the pool for Papa too. Then he's off inside to see what he can find to eat. First it's a stop at the sweet and chip cupboard in the lounge, then cool drinks and cheese wedges from the fridge. His last stop is always the biscuit tin, which Papa always makes sure has an extra packet for Jake to take home. Jake loves spending time with Papa in his workshop. They can hammer away for ages, while I slob in front of the TV - not wanting to get in the way.

Fortunately, when he had the stroke on Saturday, Papa was in the car with Karen and Hubert (my in-laws), so they were able to get him to hospital within a couple of minutes. He was put onto blood thinning medication immediately, to try dissolve the clot in his brain. He's unable to move the right hand side of his body and can't talk. I've really come to love Papa Louis like a grandfather of my own and I am saying so many prayers for his full recovery, anything less would be torture for him. Please keep Papa Louis and the family in your thoughts...