This is a bit bizarre to be writing a post two years later. However... the past couple of days I have really been reflecting on my time spent in South Africa. I'm not sure if it was God's way of preparing me for the news I was to hear today or not, but it really makes me question.
Today I was saddened to read on my host mom's Facebook page, Wendy, that her husband (my South African father for three months, Ron) passed away suddenly from a massive heart attack. I was in absolute shock to read this. I immediately stated, "Oh my god. Oh my god." I was suddenly rushed with a lot of emotions from my past and it really resurfaced what I went through in 2005 with my father passing away suddenly of a massive heart attack. I immediately called my mom to tell her the news. I'm surprised I could even get the words out of my mouth. My heart just aches for Wendy and her son, Craig, because I know what they are going through. I feel so helpless being so far away. I thought about buying a ticket to go over there to be with her, but the burden of the ticket being so expensive swayed my decision. I want to be there with her. I need to be there with her. And I feel so helpless because I'm so far away and can only be with her in "thought." To me, that's not good enough.
So since I heard of the devastating news, I can't stop thinking about why God places certain people in your life or how unbelievable it is that he has the power to allow certain situations to cross your path in life. I feel that God put me with Wendy and Ron for my student teaching experience so that I could share my experience and grief I felt when my father died. I remember having a rather long discussion with Wendy when I was there about the horrific day when we discovered my dad has passed away. I remember telling her of the pennies my family and I found, and how it provided comfort.
I really hope that I can be as much of a support to her as possible - even from all the way in Ohio.
I will really miss Ron... he was such a great guy and a great SA father for the short time I was with him.
