Sitting at the Stellawood cemetry – I could not believe the transformation of the grave stone – from hardly being able to identify it to the restoration – it was just brillant – I also paid for a further 6 months maintenance   and will make a decision re what to do next when i get home. 

It is a beautiful sunny day, the birds are singing, the gardeners are working, I am sitting contemplating my life…..and suddenly I am over come with sadness then peace – In that moment I realised that my grandfather has been by my side guiding me all my life – I felt blessed and loved. I also realise that longevity is not on my side, my mother also died at 66 therefore I need to take care of me…. and my health is a priority.

I feel a sense of peace & achievement in finding and ensuring my grandparents grave is restored to how it should be – I also found out that at Stellawood Cemetry that the graves purchased in the 50’s are there for perpetuity – so if I wanted to be buried there I could be, not that I do – also now the graves are leased for 10yrs only – any grave without a tomb stone will be reused in 10yrs – even if the tomb stone fades and looses its writing they still can’t remove it, so my grandparents have there place in SA history – as for me I want to be cremated, none of this upkeeping of a grave. 

My job here is done, I will continue to find out more about William Ernest and Rose Jane, may you both rest in peace – God be with you. 

Your loving grand-daughter Pauline Rose xx