Chris van der Westhuizen

Net een koppie koffie
om herinnerings te prikkel.
Ek onthou - dit was altyd
een suiker, sonder melk.
Maar “altyd” is nie vir altyd -
nou nie meer nie.

Al is dit al jare
sedert Pa moes gaan
na waar die anderkant is,
bly jy steeds gedagtes
wat daagliks geprikkel word
deur goed wat jý was.

Daagliks het ek vrae
en sou net gou-gou
die foon wou gryp,
net om vinnig te pla -
of sommer net,
Pa weet mos, “hallo” te sê.

Pa het altyd ’n antwoord
vir enige vraag gehad.
’n Kammeraad soos min,
wat altyd my beste wou gun.
Saam met Pa was ek
altyd sterk en veilig.

Ek weet Pa is jammer
oor so baie dinge...
Ek weet jy het hard probeer
om vir ons ’n pa te wees.
Dit was Pa verseker -
die beste wat daar was.

Ek dink my koppie koffie
is vir eers nou leeg...

Ek verlang so na jou, Pa.
As jy maar net kon weet -
jy was my beste vriend.

                              Chris M. v/d Westhuizen '2002

I Miss You, Dad

Just one cup of coffee
to stir up memories.
I remember it was always
one sugar, no milk.
But always is forever -
and now no more.

Though it's been years
since you had to go
to where the other side is,
you are still thoughts
that are stirred daily
by little things that were you.

Daily I have questions
and would quickly
grab the phone
to just ask.
Or just to,
you know, say hello.

You always had an answer
for any question.
A comrade like few
who wanted the best for me.
With you, I was
always strong and safe.

I know you are sorry
for so many things...
I know you tried hard
to be a father to us.
You certainly were,
the best there was.

I think my cup of coffee
is now empty for now...

I miss you so much, Dad.
If only you could know -
You were my best friend.

                              Chris M. v/d Westhuizen '2002 (Translated from Afrikaans)