Whispers in the Deep: Rarity: Precious and Priceless

By John S. Simelane

This book is about the experiences of losing a partner as well as inspiring others on how to Make a Difference in the lives of those that life has thrown a bad deal, and that where you come from should not hold you back from assisting those less priviledged and vulnerable, like the authors wife, Leah Lienkie Simelane did.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Africa
• Release date: Aug 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781482802597

John S. Simelane

He is a pastor at Shiloh Tabernacle of Christ in South Africa who just lost his wife. He is also working as one of the directors in the Department of Labour: Mpumalanga, South Africa. He previously worked as an educator and later became a headmaster of one of the high schools in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga. He also was a freelance journalist for the then Lynnville Voice, The World newspaper, and the erstwhile Rand Daily Mail Extra, the last two being national newspapers, with the former being banned by the apartheid government in the late 1970s. He wants to share about his loss, as well as suggest ways to cope with such loss. He also encourages people to brighten the corner where they are.

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by John S. Simelane.

ISBN:          Softcover          978-1-4828-0260-3

                   eBook              978-1-4828-0259-7

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Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Preface

Foreword

Chapter 1:   When the Light Goes Out!

Chapter 2:   Coincidents? – Not By Any Chance!

Chapter 3:   Helpmate: - A Priceless, Precious Rarity!

Chapter 4:   Stepping Out and Stepping Forth

Chapter 5:   To Be or Not To Be?

Chapter 6:   Nurturer of Big Dreamers!

Chapter 7:   Meet the Super Mum - The Luminous Beauty!

Chapter 8:   Cold Hands, Warm Heart

The presentation by the author reflects various emotions that he went through in life with his partner. First the calming effect of having a wonderful life with the gift from God, Thongwane- the Precious, Priceless Rarity as he refers to her, - then the restlessness from time to time during their life time together, and then the storms he experienced when she passed on. But he knows that he is healing and working through the storms of life, and hopefully the storms will soon calm down.

And this piece of writing will assist that process.

FREDERICK J Hoffman (1909 – 1967)

. . . What place in which to be is not enough

To be? You go, poor phantoms, without place

Like silver in the sheathing of the sight,

As the eye closes… How cold the vacancy…

Wallace Stevens – Esthetiqué du Mal

Dedication

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TThis book is dedicated to the blessed memory and affection of my beloved wife, Leah Lienkie Simelane, who has made the last 27 years of my life not only to be the happiest years, but also to be glorious and exciting — A Precious, Priceless Rarity.

A wonderful soul indeed!

When someone you love dies, and you are not expecting it, you don’t lose her at once: you lose her in pieces over a long time – the way the mail stops coming, and her scent fades from the pillows and even from the clothes in the closet and drawers. Gradually you accumulate the parts of her that are gone. Just when the day comes – when there is a particular missing part that overwhelms you, with the feeling that she is gone forever – there comes another day, and another specifically missing part.

John Irving

Acknowledgement

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Scores of people have had an impact on this book, from those who have prayed, comforted me and the kids during our sad period of losing Thongwane, to those who have encouraged me in particular as I struggled to put these whispers together, and to those who even offered some assistance in editing and typing, I want to thank them all.

I also owe a lot of debt to all those who have helped to shape my thoughts through their literature and inspirational quotations.

To the leadership of Shiloh Tabernacle of Christ, under the able guidance of Pastor B A Dhlamini and his wife, Esther Mmagomo Hadasa, who also happens to be my beloved wife’s elder sister, I want to thank the Lord for placing you in our paths.

To the Dolamo and Simelane families, what a blessing and joy to have been part of us! We could not have asked for a better family. You are just great.

To my special friends, Busisiwe Pefile and utata, Ps Philly Maduwa and his wife, the Vilakazi’s and all the other pastors in the ministry and in the area, God bless.

To all the kids, Bongane, Sibongile, Khanyisile and Dimakatso as well as their partners and all our grand children, I love you all. Surely life has never been dull with you all around me, even in my most painful and traumatic moments. And you know that SHE LOVED YOU TO BITS as well.

Preface

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In this book Mr John Simelane prevalently called Jazz a fervent and dedicated Christian describes Lienkie Simelane his late wife as an extraordinary woman. Without doubt there are many in the community of Emalahleni who are still deeply mourning her passing as she was a life of service, love, compassion and excellence. May her soul rest in peace!

Jazz always remembers Thongwane as a loving and caring woman who always had a smile to help brighten his day. Hunadi was truly a gem and always a pleasure to be around him and he remembers her for her zest for life, smile, and kindness.

Jazz will always remember Lienkie’s kindness and that special glowing smile which was contagious with anyone she came in contact with. Lienkie’s up beat personality will always be remembered mostly by her husband, kids as well as her learners.

To the Simelane’s we want to say that you have the Mampuru family’s sympathy for your loss. We have many fond memories of Lienkie’s effervescent personality and know she will be greatly missed. We were saddened to hear of Lienkie’s passing. She was a wonderful person and we will always remember her fondly.

I know that wherever Lienkie is as an avid Lord fearing person would be saying the following to Jazz:

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:18-31

I also know that she would also be encouraging her children by saying: The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die. Isaiah 57:1-2

I hope that these whispers in the deep, that come from the depth of his broken heart, will also serve