My grandpa and grandma, Oupa Frans and Ouma Maryna
Grandfather!
A grandfather is someone who is always happy to see you. That's why he always keeps sweets in his pocket, and when you come closer, you first have to be gently pulled by the ear.
Well, one thing I can tell you is that I was blessed with two “grand + fathers” just like most of you. My dad’s father was the one, and my mom’s father was the other one.
Little do I need to tell you that both of them were extremely grand but down to earth. One was a farmer, and the other was a carpenter.
Although I LOVED both of them equally, for today I want to focus on my grandpa on my dad’s side, Oupa Frans (oupa is the Afrikaans for grandfather).
Oupa Frans, Francois Gysbertus Johannes Oosthuizen, was born on January 12, 1898, and passed away on February 26, 1970. He had two sons, of which my dad was the youngest. My dad was eighteen years younger than his brother, as he was born when my grandpa was already in his 40s.
Our family register
I was the firstborn for my dad, which made me special. My nephews and nieces were way older than me; therefore, Grandpa could give all his attention to me. I was spoiled, as I was the only one who could pull his ear to get that sweet. Well, that was until my brother and sister came along.
I used to stay with Grandpa and Grandma when my mom went to work. Although I was tiny, he taught me all about making grape juice, blowing bubbles with bubblegum, and buying cone ice cream with extra strawberry sauce.
Then he got very sick, and it was difficult for me to understand why the older people were going in and out of his room. I used to sit in front of his room, clutching my legs with my arms, as I was told I was not allowed to disturb him. What is going to happen to the promise he made that he will be the one taking me to school on my first day?
The day arrived for my first school day.
My mother dressed me in my new school uniform and made my hair into two braids. So tight that I could hardly move my head, and to crown it, she planted these big yellow bows at the bottom of the braids. All that I could see out of the corner of my eyes were these bows swinging as I was walking. Mom put me in the car, and off we went to Grandpa. We had to go and show him.
Grandpa gave me one look and burst into tears. He told my mom to go get his camera. It was one of those old 35mm movie cameras that worked with spools. He told my mom to take it and to film me when I got to school so that she could show him. I kissed him goodbye, and we left.
As we got in the car, my mom started to cry. I looked up just to see my grandpa standing with the help of my grandma and the nurse on the porch. He smiled at me, lifted his hand slowly, and blew me a kiss. It was the last time Oupa Frans got out of bed. He passed away the next day. His death is unknown.
I was special!
Me on my grandpa's lap
I still have that film that Mom took. A few years ago, I had it converted from the spool to DVD, and often I found myself watching it.
Oupa Frans taught me a valuable lesson in life. He told me that families are just like trees. Just like a tree has its own branches growing in different directions, it is the same with families. One thing we must never forget is that we are all branches of the same tree not matter where in the world we are, and that is how important family is, one tree!
In 2018, I arranged for a family reunion, and we celebrated 120 years of living as the “Oosthuizen” family.
Family from all over South Africa attended. Unfortunately, not one of Oupa Frans's, children was still alive, including my dad, but as for the rest, cousins, nephews, and nieces were all with their children, and their children.
Four generations could all lift a glass to Oupa Frans.
I don’t have an old man living in my neighborhood, but what I do have are two “grand + fathers” that will live in my heart forever!
Grandpa's drivers licenses
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Such a heartwarming entry. We all might have two grandfathers but one of mine died a few months after my birth (heartattack after dinner on Father's Day) and the other one I vagualy remember and I learned to know by watching the photos of his last journey to Israel and by reading the diary he wrote during that time (years of sickness, kept working, heavy headaches died of bone cancer). Both my grandfathers were gentleman, 8 years older than their wives and born around the same year as your opa Frans.
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I am sorry that you didn't get to know your grandpa's like I got to know mine. Photos! They are so precious, and they tell stories for years to come.
I just hope that with technology, our photos don't get lost in the system. It is so nice to have a photo in an album.
Or am I just being old school now?
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I like photoalbums too it's better than saved on a computer.
One grandfather and his father I can only picture by the photos my grandmother had placed on the sidetables next to her bed.
The other grandfather...a photo of him as a "younger" man next to my grandmothers bed and their wedding photo on the wall..That's all but I do have some memories at least I hope they are mine. He was in hospital and his skin looked greenish just like his sister's being in a room in the same hallway. While dying he asked me what I wanted for my birthday, that present should be bought. I asked for a recordplayer since it was that or a radio my parents said.
It was the last time I saw him and it did upset me I wasn't allowed to be at his funeral.
I have no idea what happened with the photos or thr diary he wrote. I doubt there's anyone in the family who would have appreciated it.
While writing this I think he was a man if the world, loved travelling, animals, children, books, a great trumpet, muscician, art lover and collecter, a self-made architect from 18 years on, great in drawing but abused by many and stuck with a wife who hated everything he liked. Kind of sad.
I traced him years ago and spoke people who met him, worked with him and shone a bit light on him.
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Oh wow!
I could not help but get all emotional when I read your post. Sad but also cross.
Those were the days, my friend. These days, it is as if time is also robbing us from building extraordinary memories like the ones you have shared here.
Hold on to those memories!
A big hug to you! (づ๑•ᴗ•๑)づ
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Oh the memories bring back memories
It's so hard to look back on the memories of your grand parents without teary eyes. Your grandpa's special effort to say goodbye for the last time was everything @patjewell. How lucky was you to get his love❤
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Awh, thank you for the visit and the engagement.
You are so right, moments like this do bring tears to our eyes.
After I'd written the post, I was in two minds about whether I should post it or not, as it was so personal. In the end, it came from the heart, and it was what I wanted to write when I got the invitation, so I posted it.
I was one lucky girl!
As for my other grandpa, he lived until I was 18. Again, I was lucky.
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Ahhh that's a relief again, i thought otherwise.
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One passed away when I was 5 and the other 18 (•ิ‿•ิ)
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Okay Okay, i got it now, sorry i forgot you had two grandfathers,in fact we all have or once had a pair of them actually👧
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Indeed we had! (•ิ‿•ิ)
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Dear @patjewell , thank you for your contribution to our community.
We appreciate your effort and encourage you to continue engaging with other participants through quality comments.
Your entry has been reviewed, and we commend you for the wonderful job you've done. Keep up the great work!
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Dear @patjewell mam!! Yes indeed the memories are a great source of happiness as they bring smiles on our faces in depressing drama of life. And it seems that you have some great memories with your grandfather as you are still keeping his driving license. Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful article with us 💗.
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It is for me to say thank you for the beautiful verification.
Thank you!
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Great to learn about your very emotional and everlasting attachment with your grandfather.Atleast you had both of your grandfathers alive,i only have some fade memories of my grandfather who passed away from a brief illness when I was very little and had just started memorising things.Grandparents are the most precious and most generous of all the relatives one might have at a time and I could only receive love of my maternal grandfather who passed away when I was 17.Anyways, everyone has to pass and leave behind a story.
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Yip, unfortunately it is the one thing that is certain in life... death.
Thank you for the visit! I appreciate the beautiful comment. ☕
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Your post has been rewarded by the Seven Team.
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We are the hope!
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https://twitter.com/pat_vs01/status/1766745185847767344?s=46
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@o1eh
Thank you! ☕
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I can't help but cry at this post. Thanks so much for participating in my contest again ma, this is one of the best ways to motivate someone.
I wish you good luck and am more excited that steemcurator02 voted your entry.
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The pleasure was all mine. And I am sorry I left a tear in your eye. I can tell you that it left me with a couple.
As for the vote... whoop whoop! I am so glad that we can now see the votes. I had no clue that I got a vote from SC02 as I never go into my posts on Steemworld.
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Yh, the post is awesome and am very excited you participated in my contest once again.
I always monitor my account through steemworld.
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