THANK YOU for 2010...

Where did the year go?

Suddenly it is November and December......again - and we realize that with giant strides we started in January and within a blink of an eye, 2010 is on its’ back!
A big "Thank You" to each and every one of you, for the impact you had on my life this year. Especially for all the support I received.......without you, I'm sure that 2010 would have been agonizing.

From my side I wish you all a magical Festive Season filled with Loving Wishes and Beautiful Thoughts.
May 2011 mark the beginning of a Tidal Wave of Love, Happiness and Bright Futures
And to those who need someone special, may you find that true love
To those who need money, may your finances overflow
To those who need caring, may you find a good heart
To those who need friends, may you meet lovely people
To those who need life, may you find GOD.

BEST WISHES,
Deon
~*~

It’s been a long difficult year...

Dear Friends

It’s been a long difficult year with some great highs and deep lows. Seen a number of friends & family leave, all of whom are in my thoughts, your all deeply missed and I hope we meet again somewhere down the road (x).

~*~
"May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand."
~*~

Some people left us and I wish them well, and trust they found happiness in their new "homes".

We have all had our share of Good fortune…found love, friendship, but also hardship and suffered loss, pain & heartache.

For everyone that’s had a difficult year I send love and best wishes in the hope 2011 brings only joy and happiness to everyone.

Thanks to the people who showed love, support, strength and understanding when I was going through a bad personal time. Thanks for sticking by me through it all, I love and appreciate you all.

Those no longer with us: Alex, Marco and our pets (Meeko & Hooch).

Anyone I forgot - please excuse me it’s the effects of forgetfulness.

Marco’s/my friends, pupils & ex-pupils, thanks for sharing the thumbs & friendship, and the visitors to Marco’s page have a magical new year with your loved ones & best wishes for 2011.

Thanks all of you for your friendship, support and Loyalty.

Love...Light...Joy & Peace.

Best Wishes & Kind Regards,
Deon
~*~

Alexander Schaub

Marco

Meeko

Hooch

In remembrance of Marco...I Have Not Gone...

You think I have gone and life has lost its will
But look around, I am right there, living with you still
I watch your tears, I feel your pain – I see things you do
I weep as well, each time you cry, my soul it lives with you.

It gives such joy to hear you laugh, and do the things you do
And when you smile over bygone days, I smile tight with you too
For we’re still one, just you and me, one soul, one being
Walking forward into life, through only you are seen.

And in the stillness of the night, when the pain it really starts
Stretch out a little with your mind and draw me to your heart
For I am always right there, always by your side
For you have been, all my life’s days, my joy, my love and my pride

For as the time we had together, I know that I will always be in your heart
And I pray in time that you will be able to share my joy, my life I had with you.
Most of all the happiness I gave you.

RIP Marc...Always,
Deon
~*~

THANK YOU...

Dear Friends,

Special friends like you are one in a million! Thank you so much for your support (sms, emails, messages, phone calls, thoughts & prayers) during such a tough time. I honestly don't know how I would have made it through this past Christmas Day without your care and support. It meant so much just knowing I wasn't alone.

I count myself among the very lucky to have friends like you. I hope that you'll allow me to find some way to properly thank you for everything you have done for me.

Best Wishes & Kind Regards,
Deon
~*~

Jesus' Lap...A Nativity Scene...Here Is A Heart Warming Photo...

A  Nativity Scene was erected in a church yard.
During the night the folks came across this scene.
An abandoned dog was looking for a comfortable, protected place to sleep. He chose baby Jesus as his comfort.  No one had the heart to send  him away so he was there all  night.

We  should all have the good sense of this dog and curl up in Jesus' lap  from time to  time.
~*~
This is too sweet not to share... 
No one mentioned that the dog breed is a "shepherd"!
~*~
I wish you a magical Christmas Day & Festive Season , filled with Loving Wishes and Beautiful Thoughts.
Best Regards,
Deon
~*~

Flowers & Dedications Laid At The Memorial Site For Marco & Alex - Again...Special Thanks To Alan & Shaun...

Marco Marnewick *04-10-1972 - 27-06-2010*
~*~
A Special Present...
There's a special present under the tree this year.
Wrapped in paper of red, white, and blue.
I walked in to find the elves,
Constructing it especially for you.
Their little hands were covered with glitter,
Bits of paper scattered everywhere.
I had to quietly laugh at seeing them
With glue stuck in their hair.
I slipped out of the room unnoticed by them
And sat down in front of the tree.
The glowing lights and smells of Christmas
Quickly brought visions of you to me.
Suddenly, I heard little feet running down the hall.
I knew their project must now be done.
They handed me the crumpled present and asked,
if I would please help wrap this one.
On this sheet of paper a big star they had placed,
With stick-people looking up toward the sky.
They waited in anticipation for my approval.
Their faces glowed with pride
At the bottom, a note was scribbled
In an elf's special little way,
To let you know I only asked Santa
For one thing this Christmas Day.
I asked Santa if he would hang a special star,
While he was up there in the sky.
So that you can look up and see my gift
From where you are tonight.
Santa said it wouldn't be hard to find it.
He would put the biggest one there for you.
Because, we know there's lots of stars
And they're real far away too.
So before you go to sleep Christmas night,
Look way up in the sky
You'll see my star Santa left for you,
While he was flying by.
Then I signed it at the bottom
in your favourite colour, blue.
I know why you're an angel Marco
and I am so proud of you.

Dedicated to the memory of Marco. 
~*~RIP My Angel Boy~*~
Always,
Deon J De Necker (Life partner of 15 years)
~*~

Christmas Message...

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder.
I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being..
She said, 'Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?'
I laughed and enthusiastically responded, 'Of course you may!' and she gave me a giant squeeze..
'Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?' I asked.
She jokingly replied, 'I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids...'
'No seriously,' I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.
'I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!' she told me.
After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake.
We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this 'time machine' as she shared her wisdom and experience with me..
Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she revelled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.
At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.
Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, 'I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know.'
As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, '
We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. 
There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humour every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. 

We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it! 
There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. 
If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight. 
Anybody! Can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets. 
The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets..' 
She concluded her speech by courageously singing 'The Rose.' 
She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives. At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those months ago. 
One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep. 
Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.
 
These words have been passed along in loving memory of ROSE.

REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL. We make a Living by what we get. We make a Life by what we give. 

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

'Good friends are like stars..... ....You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.' 
~*~
We  Are Not Human Beings Going
Through  a Temporary Spiritual  Experience;
We  Are Spiritual Beings Going
Through a  Temporary Human  Experience!
~*~
Deon J De Necker 

Season Greetings...

My Christmas wish for you
Is not a simple one
For I wish you hope and joy and peace
Days filled with warmth and sun

I wish you love and friendship too
Throughout the coming year
Lots of laughter and happiness
To fill your world with cheer

May you count your blessings, one by one
And when totalled by the lot
May you find all you've been given
To be more than what you sought

May your journeys be short, your burdens light
May your spirit never grow old
May all your clouds have silver linings
And your rainbows pots of gold

I wish this all and so much more
May all your dreams come true
May you have a wonderful Christmas And a happy New Year…

Wishing You & Your Family   
A 
Blessed Christmas & A Happy  
2011
Best Regards,
Deon J De Necker
~*~

Neo Motshabela...

All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream
by night in the dusty recesses of their minds,
wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but
the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for
they may act on their dream with open eyes and will act to make it come through ... Well go ahead and call me dangerous for my mentor taught me to sle...ep with my eyes open and catch all opportunities ...for sleeping is like being deceived , you do not know you sleeping till you wake...
I may not have much now ...but i dedicate all my success( presently and to come) to you

Thank You...

Hello Alan & Shaun,
My bunch of roses will be delivered today (Wednesday - 22-12-2010).
Not everyone would have gone to all the trouble you did for me and I want you to know how much I appreciate it. It seems that you are always going above and beyond the call of duty. No wonder so many people are happy and proud to call you their friend. It was really wonderful of you to arrange the flowers & delivery (Shaun) for Marco at the memorial site, and I'll never be able to thank you enough.
Thanks again for everything you did.
I look forward to having the chance to reciprocate.

Best regards,
Deon
~*~

CHRISTMAS AT ARLINGTON CEMETERY...

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.
Know the line has held, your job is done.
Rest easy, sleep well.
Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.
Peace, peace, and farewell...
~*~
Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.
~*~

The Pilot - In Rememberance Of Marco...

Someday we will know, where the pilots go
When their work on earth is through.
Where the air is clean, and the engines gleam,
And the skies are always blue.
They have flown alone, with the engine's moan,
As they sweat the great beyond,
And they take delight, at the awesome sight
of the world spread far and yon.

Yet not alone, for above the moan, when the earth is
out of sight,
As they make their stand, He takes their hand,
and guides them through the night.
How near to God are these men of sod,
Who step near death's last door?
Oh, these men are real, not made of steel,
But He knows who goes before,

And how they live, and love and are beloved,
But their love is most for air.
And with death about, they will still fly out,
And leave their troubles there.
He knows these things, of men with wings,
And He knows they are surely true.
And He will give a hand, to such a man
'Cause He's a pilot too.
~*~
Leo Hymas
~*~

~*~Impressions of a Pilot~*~

Flight is freedom in its purest form, To dance with the clouds which follow a storm; To roll and glide, to wheel and spin, To feel the joy that swells within; To leave the earth with its troubles and fly, And know the warmth... of a clear spring sky; Then back to earth at the end of a day, Released from the tensions which melted away. Should my end come while I am in flight, Whether brightest day or darkest night; Spare me your pity and shrug off the pain, Secure in the knowledge that I'd do it again; For each of us is created to die, And within me I know, I was born to fly.
*Gary Claud Stokor*

Puseletso Charity Mofutsana KaMhlongo...

Ek verlang jou baie

Jana Fourie Greyvenstein...

mis jou nog elke dag. Daai stoutgat smile. Ek is seke jy maak al die Engele daarbo baie gelukkig. Rus in vrede tot ons weer ontmoet luv u Marco

Thea Joubert...

Amazing!!!!!

Polar Bear: I come in peace....Unbelievable!!!

Norbert Rosing's striking images of a wild polar bear coming upon his herd of sled dogs in the wilds of Canada's Hudson Bay.

The photographer was sure that he was going to see the end of his dogs when the polar bear wandered in.

It's hard to believe that this polar bear only needed to hug someone!

The Polar Bear returned every night that week to play with the dogs.
~*~
May you
always have love to share,

Health to spare,
And friends that care !
~*~

To My Friends Who Are...

To My Friends Who Are...MARRIED

Great care  you must take to show due honour to your  spouse! Since only for  his/her sweet sake, do blessings rest upon the house.


To My Friends Who Are...ENGAGED
  
The true measure of compatibility is not the years spent together but how good you are for each other.


To My Friends Who Are...NOT SO SINGLE

Love isn't about becoming somebody else's "perfect person." It's about finding someone who helps you become the best person you can be.


To My Friends Who Are...HEARTBROKEN

Heartbreaks last as long as you want and cut deep as you allow them to go. The challenge is not how to survive heartbreaks but to learn from them.


To My Friends Who Are...NAIVE

How to be in love: Fall but don't stumble, be consistent but not too persistent, share and never be unfair, understand and try not to demand, and get hurt but never keep the pain.


To My Friends Who Are...SEARCHING

True love cannot be found where it does not truly exist, nor can it be hidden where it truly does. Love is magic. The more we hide it, the more it shows; the more you suppress it, the more it grows.


To My Friends Who Are...PLAYBOY/GIRL TYPE

Never say I love if you don't care. Never talk about feelings if they aren't there. Never touch a life if you mean to break a heart. Never look in the eye when what you do is lie. The cruellest thing a guy can do to a girl is to let her fall in love when he doesn't intend to catch her fall.


To My Friends Who Are...POSSESSIVE

It breaks your heart to see the one you love happy with someone else but it's more painful to know that the one you love is unhappy with you.


To My Friends Who Are...AFRAID TO CONFESS

Love hurts when you break up with someone. It hurts even more when someone breaks up with you. But love hurts the most when the person you love has no idea how you feel.


To My Friends Who Are...STILL HOLDING ON

A sad thing about life is that sometimes we have to let go. You meet someone who means a lot to you, only to find out in the end that it was never bound to be.


To My Friends Who Are...SINGLE

Love is like a butterfly. The more you chase it, the more it eludes you. But if you just let it fly, it would come to you when you least expect it. Love can make you happy but often times it hurts, but love's only special when you give it to someone who is worth it. So take your time and choose the best!
~*~

Wania van Wyk...

Love it!

Do not follow...

~*~Do not follow where the path may lead...
Go, instead, where there is no path & leave a trail.~*~
~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

....Fireman

In Phoenix , Arizona , a 26-year-old mother stared down at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukaemia.Although her heart was filled with sadness,she also had a strong feeling of determination.Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up & fulfil all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible..The leukaemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son's dream to come true.She took her son' s hand and asked,'Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up?Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?'

Mommy, 'I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up.'

Mom smiled back and said, 'Let's see if we can make your wish come true.'

Later that day she went to her local fire Department in Phoenix , Arizona , where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix !

She explained her son's final wish and Asked if it might be possible to give her 6 year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine.

Fireman Bob said, 'Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary Fireman for the whole day.He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy -- one-with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots.'

'They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix , so we can get them fast.'

Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck.Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station.He was in heaven.There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls.

He rode in the different fire engines,the Paramedic's' van, and even the fire chief's car.

He was also videotaped for the local news program.

Having his dream come true,with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy, that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.

One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept - that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital.

Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a Fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition

The chief replied, 'We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes.. Will you please do me a favour?When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire?'

'It's the department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will you open the window to his room?'About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window--------16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room.

With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they LOVED him. With His dying breath,Billy looked up at the fire chief and said,

'Chief, am I really a fireman now?'

'Billy, you are, and The Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your hand,' the chief said.

With those words, Billy smiled and said,'I know, He's been holding my hand all day, and The angels have been Singing..'He closed his eyes one last time.

~Uplifting stories are one of the best Gifts we receive.There is no cost, but a lot of rewards, let's Continue to uplift one another~

~True Story~
~*~

Karin Brits Vermeulen...

Sjoe ek is sprakeloos,dis die mees fantasiese waarheid wat ek in 42jaar nog gelees het en dan is ek so ondankbaar vir alles wat my "Guardian Angel" vir my gee.. Dankie Deon dat jy my oe oopgemaak het.Lovies***

Annette Hendley...

Dit is so waar. Tx Deon. Ek is juis vandag weer so obsessed met my eie troubles wat as ek nou daaraan dink net irritasies is en nie eens regtig belangrik is nie.

Hoop dit gaan goed met al julle beautiful people. Ek vries so bietjie vir biet...jie maar die sneeu is so mooi.

The Pink Dress...

There was this little girl sitting by herself in the park.

Everyone passed by her and never stopped to see why she looked so sad..

Dressed in a worn pink dress, barefoot and dirty, the girl just sat and watched the people go by. She never tried to speak.

She never said a word.

Many people passed by her, but no one would stop.

The next day I decided to go back to the park in curiosity to see If the little girl would still be there.

Yes, she was there, right in the very spot where she was yesterday, and still with the same sad look in her eyes.

Today I was to make my own move and walk over to the little girl.

For as we all know, a park full of strange people is not a place for young children to play alone.

As I got closer I could see the back of the little girl's dress.

It was grotesquely shaped.

I figured that was the reason people just passed by and made no effort to speak to her.

Deformities are a low blow to our society and, heaven forbid if you make a step toward assisting someone who is different.

As I got closer, the little girl lowered her eyes slightly to avoid my intent stare.

As I approached her, I could see the shape of her back more clearly.

She was grotesquely shaped in a humped over form.

I smiled to let her know it was OK; I was there to help, to talk.

I sat down beside her and opened with a simple, 'Hello'

The little girl acted shocked, and stammered a 'hi '; after a long stare into my eyes.

I smiled and she shyly smiled back.

We talked until darkness fell and the park was completely empty.

I asked the girl why she was so sad. The little girl looked at me with a sad face said, 'Because, I'm Different.'

I immediately said, 'That you are!'; and smiled.

The little girl acted even sadder and said, 'I know.'

'Little girl,' I said, 'you remind me of an angel, sweet and innocent.' She looked at me and smiled, then slowly she got to her feet and Said, 'Really?' 'Yes, you're like a little Guardian Angel sent to watch over all the people walking by.'

She nodded her head yes, and smiled.

With that she opened the back of her pink dress and allowed her Wings to spread, then she said 'I am.'

'I'm your Guardian Angel,' with a twinkle in her eye.

I was speechless -- sure I was seeing things.

She said,  'For once you thought of someone other than yourself. My job here is done'..

I got to my feet and said, 'Wait, why did no one stop to help an Angel?' She looked at me, smiled, and said, 'You're the only one that could see me,' and then she was gone.

And with that, my life was changed dramatically.

So, when you think you're all you have, remember, your angel is always watching over you.

Like the story says, we all need someone...

And, every one of your friends is an Angel in their own way.

The value of a friend is measured in the heart.

I hope your Guardian Angel watches over you always.
~*~

Neo Motshabela...

How do I love thee? Let me count
the ways
I love thee to the depthee and
breadth and height
My soul can reach.
...I love thee to the level of everyday's Most quiet need, by sun and
candlelight. I love thee freely, as
men strive for right.
I love thee with the passion put to
use.
I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life! if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after
death

...and the Moral of the story is...Have you ever seen a baby porcupine?

Fable of the porcupine...
It was the coldest winter ever. -  Many animals died because of the cold. The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together.  This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions even though they gave off heat to each other. After awhile, they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen. So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth. Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. This way they learned to live with the little wounds that were caused by the close relationship with their companion, but the most important part of it, was the heat that came from the others. This way they were able to survive.
~*~
Moral of the story: The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but the best is when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person's good qualities.
~*~

Sjandre Chris Strydom...

ek mis meneer vind dit nog moeilik om te aanvaar meneer is weg

Taryn Diedericks...

:-)

'You Are Worthy'

Do not undermine your worth By comparing yourself
with others. It is because we are
different That each of us is special.
~*~
Do not set your goals By what other people deem
important. Only you know what is best for
you.
~*~
Do not take for granted The things closest to
your heart. Cling to them as you would your
life. For without them, life is meaningless.
~*~
Do not let your life slip through your fingers By
living in the past nor for the future. By living your life
one day at a time, You live all the days of your
life.
~*~
Do not give up When you still have something to
give. Nothing is really over Until the
moment you stop trying.
~*~
It is a fragile thread That binds us to each
other. Do not be afraid to encounter
risks. It is by taking chances That we
learn to be brave.
~*~
Do not shut love out of your life By saying it is
impossible to find. The quickest way to receive love is to
give love; The fastest way to lose love is to hold it too
tightly.
~*~
In addition, The best way to keep love is to give
it wings. Do not dismiss your dreams. To
be without dreams is to be without hope, To be without hope
is to be without purpose.
~*~
Do not run through life So fast that you forget
Not only where you have been But also
where you are going.
~*~
Life is not a race but a journey To be savored
each step of the way. So smile and let the sun shine
through. For there's someone, somewhere,
watching over you.
~*~
Deon J De Necker