Sad Weekend
This weekend was a sad one for us as a friend‘s wife passed away, losing the battle against Leukemia. It made me realize again how grateful we must be to be healthy and able to do extraordinary things.
I was supposed to run a half marathon on Sunday morning but changed my plans so that I could give support to my friend. I didn’t skip my run altogether and ran 21km (13 miles) from home instead. It was a beautiful morning and I had a lovely run through the neighborhoods.
We also had a visitor in the bedroom on Saturday evening…
This is a Rain spider, also known as a Huntsman spider in some parts of the world. This guy’s leg span was about 5 inches. That’s big enough for me.
I hope you all have a wonderful week. Be grateful for what you have and what you can do.
It is good that you were able to be there for your friend. This post really hit home for me this morning. I was dreading going back to work after being off for a week, but then realized that I should be thankful...for so many things!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear of your friend's wife. Life is so precious and most times we don't really stop to truly appreciate what we have, do we?
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry Johann. Losses always seem to put things in perspective.
ReplyDeleteThat is one nasty spider!
I am so sorry to hear about your friends wife. So sad. You are right we need to appreciate what we have and not take things for granted.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great running route...very pretty. The spider would of scared me big time! Spiders usually don't bother me but that one looks like it means business:)
That's a HUGE spider. Ick!
ReplyDeleteLife is fragile, eh? Sorry about your friend's wife passing.
I hope the morning run in such a beautiful place helped you deal with sadness.
ReplyDeleteYou are a good friend for skipping your race.
Sorry to hear about the loss, you are right, life is too short.
ReplyDeleteGlad you could be supporting your friend at such a sad time. Sorry that you missed the race and an opportunity for us to meet.
ReplyDeleteThe race also turned out to be a tradegy for some - a young man from Germiston Callies collapsed along the route and died in the ambulance on the way to hospital. I only found out about it when I finished and am quite saddened by it. It does also remind me that I have so much to be grateful for and not to take anything for granted.
Such a sad time...sending strength to you and your friend...
ReplyDelete...during my last visit to AUS, we saw a huntsman..in our car as we were driving....
I am not sure I will ever go back...
We do take so many things for granted. Instead of complaining about missing a PR or run...we should be eternally thankful for what we can and are able to do!! prayers to your friends family and loved ones!
ReplyDeleteMy condolences for your friend’s wife.
ReplyDeleteAnd if I see a spider like that…I’d run 21k too. FAST!
So sorry about your friend's wife, such a sad thing. You are a very good friend to change your plans in order to support him.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your friends wife :( You will all be in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your friend, glad you could be there for support for the family. It is never easy but I'm sure they were grateful for your presence!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty run, thanks for sharing!
Sorry for the sad news, but good you had the opportunity for a nice run and reflection.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about being grateful for what we have in life. I am sure your friend is very grateful to have your support! Sorry to hear about your loss.
ReplyDeleteI would NOT want to see that thing in my bedroom!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for the passing of your friend's wife.
I am sorry Johann. Thinking/praying for/of you and your friends.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your note, Johann! I'm really sorry to hear about your friend's wife.
ReplyDeletevery sorry to hear of your friend's wife passing away. it is nice that you were able to give support to your friend. Thanks for the reminder to be grateful for what I have and what I can do.
ReplyDeleteThat spider gives me the creeps...
So sorry to hear about your friends' wife. That was very kind of you to give him some much-needed support instead of worrying about the race.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am glad I got a small warning for that last pic - I wouldve screamed here at work if I saw it!
so sorry to hear about your friend's wife, Johann. God bless your heart for choosing to be with your friend during this time. =)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about your friend's wife.
ReplyDeleteThat spider is a bit much for sure!
seems like there have been WAY too many reminders this fall for us to appreciate our precious healthy time that we have. So nice of you to support your friend.
ReplyDeleteLoved the pics. Lots so nice. Do you run on the bricks? That would kill my legs for sure.
yikes - must be Halloween - I had to kill and remove a huge spider from my house last wk and wouldn't you know - hubby was out of town. Urgh! Freakin Scary!
I'm so sorry about your friend's loss. That's great that your priorities are in the right place, a race isn't anything compared to our loved ones, right?
ReplyDeleteI love the spider, fascinating. I've never seen a Huntsman spider before.
I am so sorry to read about your friend's wife. Glad you were able to be there for him.
ReplyDeleteOkay, that spider is scary...ugh.
I am so sorry to read about your friend's wife. Glad you were able to be there for him.
ReplyDeleteOkay, that spider is scary...ugh.
All my thoughts to you, your wife and your friend. It's a tough time for you all at the moment.
ReplyDeleteThat was very kind of you to be there for them. I would expect no less from you.
ReplyDeleteYour a good friend to support your friend.
ReplyDeleteNo thanks on the spider. I'd be screaming and running about the house...get it, get it.
So sad.
ReplyDeleteBut we are candles that have to burn out one day.
The greatest sadness is perhaps if we still have something left on the day we are called home.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Sorry to hear about the loss of a friend Johann. Hopefully your support and friendship has made a difference for that family this week!
ReplyDeleteI like that brick pathway - do you have a lot of those? And I may not sleep tonight after seeing the spider.....
Cool spider!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your loss. Wonderful to reflect on a good run and appreciate our blessings.
wow, that is a big spider!! i dont mind spiders but would not that one in my house! eek! you are brave!
ReplyDeletesorry to hear about your friend, that's really sad :'-(
I thought of you yesterday as i toured some South Africans around Boston for the day. My brother-in-law's brother and sister were here visting from SA. Ryan and I hope to get out there for Commrades in 2013.
Sorry to hear about the loss. Glad to hear that your friend has friends to support him.
ReplyDeleteSorry you had to lose a friend. Hope your buddy is doing OK.
ReplyDeleteOMG that's one huge spider, it's omly slightly smaller than my hand...
Sorry about your loss Johann. Way to support your friend. I can tell that you are a great guy. BTW, I like the new format of your blog.
ReplyDeletehere here
ReplyDeleteSorry about your loss, never easy. Way to be there, though. Your blog looks great. The spider does not. After snakes, big spiders are next on the list of fear.
ReplyDeleteSorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteBTW: I hate spiders. That's a monster of a spider!! That baby would die quickly in my house.
Kevin
http://halftriing.blogspot.com/
Sorry for your friend's loss. Sadly, I have been reminded to be grateful for the people I love a lot lately. It is a great reminder though and one we can't get enough.
ReplyDeleteSorry for your friend's wife. The places where you run are beautiful.
ReplyDeletePlease say HI for me to Mr. Spider.
Sorry for the loss of your friend's wife. It was thoughtful of you to provide support for your friend. I'm sure he's grateful. I'll take your advice to be grateful for what I have and what I can do. Good timing for me to read those words! Thanks!
ReplyDelete