"I'd rather be seen on my bicycle than on a park run" - Quote from the dark side

Monday 25 October 2010

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.

43 comments:

Paige (The Last Doughnut) said...

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!

Amy said...

So 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?

Teamarcia said...

I'm so sorry Johann. Losses always seem to put things in perspective.
That is one nasty spider!

Julie said...

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.

Wow, 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:)

Unknown said...

That's a HUGE spider. Ick!

Life is fragile, eh? Sorry about your friend's wife passing.

Ewa said...

I hope the morning run in such a beautiful place helped you deal with sadness.
You are a good friend for skipping your race.

Big Daddy Diesel said...

Sorry to hear about the loss, you are right, life is too short.

Anonymous said...

Glad you could be supporting your friend at such a sad time. Sorry that you missed the race and an opportunity for us to meet.
The 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.

Laura said...

Such a sad time...sending strength to you and your friend...

...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...

Indi said...

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!

Quinton J said...

My condolences for your friend’s wife.
And if I see a spider like that…I’d run 21k too. FAST!

Pahla said...

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.

Adrienne said...

So sorry about your friends wife :( You will all be in my prayers.

Jill said...

So 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!

Very pretty run, thanks for sharing!

KovasP said...

Sorry for the sad news, but good you had the opportunity for a nice run and reflection.

Canadian runner said...

I 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.

Marlene said...

I would NOT want to see that thing in my bedroom!

So sorry for the passing of your friend's wife.

Emz said...

I am sorry Johann. Thinking/praying for/of you and your friends.

Abby said...

Thanks for your note, Johann! I'm really sorry to hear about your friend's wife.

Heather said...

very 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.
That spider gives me the creeps...

Lindsay said...

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.

And I am glad I got a small warning for that last pic - I wouldve screamed here at work if I saw it!

Julie @ HotlegsRunner said...

so sorry to hear about your friend's wife, Johann. God bless your heart for choosing to be with your friend during this time. =)

ajh said...

I'm sorry to hear about your friend's wife.

That spider is a bit much for sure!

Happy Feet 26.2 said...

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.

Loved 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!

Unknown said...

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?
I love the spider, fascinating. I've never seen a Huntsman spider before.

Anne said...

I am so sorry to read about your friend's wife. Glad you were able to be there for him.

Okay, that spider is scary...ugh.

Anne said...

I am so sorry to read about your friend's wife. Glad you were able to be there for him.

Okay, that spider is scary...ugh.

Char said...

All my thoughts to you, your wife and your friend. It's a tough time for you all at the moment.

The Green Girl said...

That was very kind of you to be there for them. I would expect no less from you.

Christina said...

Your a good friend to support your friend.

No thanks on the spider. I'd be screaming and running about the house...get it, get it.

Andrew Opala said...

So sad.

But 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.

HappyTrails said...

Sorry to hear about the loss of a friend Johann. Hopefully your support and friendship has made a difference for that family this week!

I like that brick pathway - do you have a lot of those? And I may not sleep tonight after seeing the spider.....

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Cool spider!

So sorry to hear about your loss. Wonderful to reflect on a good run and appreciate our blessings.

Bethany + Ryan said...

wow, that is a big spider!! i dont mind spiders but would not that one in my house! eek! you are brave!

sorry 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.

Scott McMurtrey said...

Sorry to hear about the loss. Glad to hear that your friend has friends to support him.

Jennifer said...

Sorry you had to lose a friend. Hope your buddy is doing OK.

OMG that's one huge spider, it's omly slightly smaller than my hand...

Chris K said...

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.

ultra collie said...

here here

Patrick Mahoney said...

Sorry 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.

Kevin said...

Sorry for your loss.

BTW: I hate spiders. That's a monster of a spider!! That baby would die quickly in my house.

Kevin
http://halftriing.blogspot.com/

ihaverun said...

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.

Black Knight said...

Sorry for your friend's wife. The places where you run are beautiful.
Please say HI for me to Mr. Spider.

LMC said...

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!