For Our Grandson

      5/8/2021       Next-->

We as kids in the sixties had the most unbelievable childhood, and we like to hope that we gave our own children and grandchildren the same glorious feelings, memories, experiences and love.

We pray someday that you, our Wee Boy, our precious Grandchild will share at least some of the glories of our own childhoods.

We would really like for you to know about 'hand me down' clothes and homemade ice cream and peanut butter sandwiches.

We hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.
We hope they learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.

And we really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.

It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your precious old dog put to sleep.

We hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.
We hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.

If you want a slingshot, we hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.
We hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.

When you learn to use computers, we hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.

We hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.
We hope you cry but not often. It's all right to cry. People cry for all kinds of reasons: when they are hurt, sad, or worried; when they are angry, afraid, or lonely. Or sometimes when they're happy! Big people cry too.

We hope you do the right thing to try. That was scary and hard to do. Even though it wasn't easy, you tried. We are proud of you; you should be too.

May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen ice cube.

We don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, we hope you realise he is not your friend.
We sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Nan and your Guppim and go fishing with your Uncle.

May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.

We hope your mother punishes you when you throw a cricket ball through your neighbour's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Christmas time when you give her a plaster mould of your hand.
These things we wish for you - tough times and disappointment, good times and satisfaction, hard work and happiness.

We are right here. We won't leave without saying good-bye. We are watching you. We are so happy and so lucky to be here with you.


Watchdog

Mater Dei Hospital

Please take this message seriously from one of the Mater Dei Board members, Gavin Stephens. The staff at Mater Dei are doing an amazing job but are stretched. If you haven't been vaccinated yet, for goodness sake go and get vaccinated tomorrow if you can. Cut back on social and business meetings. Rigidly wear your mask, wash hands and socially distance.
'It is some time since I briefed you on the Mater Dei and the Covid crises.
As you know the isolation unit has been operating for a year, and has received positive reports.
Changes in treatment have proved successful but I implore you to seek hospital treatment early and to not leave it too late. This is the biggest issue when managing cases in the ICU.
If you have not been vaccinated then you need to do so as it will save another persons life and a bed in the hospital.
And finally rein in on social activities.
Six weeks ago there were no Covid patients - then the third wave started. Slow at first but climbing rapidly. The isolation unit was full two weeks ago so the emergency plans set out a year ago have kicked in. The hospital now has 58 beds for Covid patients but that is almost full.
We can install a further 15 beds in a converted area but do not have the beds. It will be a makeshift emergency facility for less serious cases but the alternative is to turn patients away.
Oxygen supplies have managed but are under pressure. The positive response to the appeal for cylinders last year has been hugely important.
The hospital is desperately short of nurses - they are returning to the UK in droves. The staff are exhausted.
The hospital has reserved the main ICU, emergency and some wards for non-Covid cases. They have to to provide medical treatment arising from other causes.
Bulawayo is in a serious Covid crisis and it has not peaked.
Enkusileni finally opened today.
The response last year was incredible - but more help is needed again.

WHAT CAN YOU DO -
1 get vaccinated
2 stay safe
3 help with beds etc
4 any suggestions for nurses would be welcome.
5 do not get complacent
6 please direct complaint or suggestions directly to the hospital admin.'


Good afternoon to you all
A message on behalf of Plus Two Pharmacy
Over the years, the Pharmacy has serviced the community in more ways than one. They've assisted with wheelchairs, walkers and oxygen cylinders.
Should anyone have any cylinders that were lent to them previously, kindly return as there are patients in dire need of them.
Please let's all come together and beat this pandemic!!
Many thanks to one and all.