Making sense of death

It is always shocking to find out that someone you know past away.  When they have an illness, you have time to prepare. However, if they were taken away suddenly in a car crash you think different about life.

You realise that maybe you are not spending enough time with the most important people in your life. What if I died today or my husband died today? Did we do enough or will we have regrets?

This morning I heard that a colleague, Hester Nel, had died in a car accident on the N2 last Thursday evening. It is a comfort to know that she died instantly and didn't suffer.

It seems like such a senseless death. Hester was such an empathetic, giving person. She was always friendly and helped where she could.

I remember fondly the year that I was 5 months pregnant with my first son and Chief Marker of Mathematical Literacy Paper 2 at the National Senior Certificate Exams.  I was overworked, overstressed, tired and my feet were swollen to double their size. Then Hester (and other teachers) would come with her friendly smile, wanting to know what she can do for me to help.

Not long ago I saw a Oprah episode that looked back on her career. The one thing that she said changed her life, was the following: A woman's 18 year old daughter had died and after the Oprah show she planed to kill herself. But then Dr Phil said that she mustn't let the mourning for her daughter (1 day in her life) take over her life - she should rather celebrate the 18 years her daughter was alive.

So today we celebrate Hestel Nel's life. Thank you for all the people's lives she has touched. We will miss you so much.