We held it instead of the worship service on Sunday so that people could arrive, we could celebrate, and they could leave all in one day. The distances are long in Namibia and people coming from Windhoek, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay had 7-8 hour round trips.
The tombstone dedication is done a year after death, depending upon the ability of the family to raise the funds for the tombstone. It it is practical to allow time to raise the funds. No one could tell me but I wondered if it once provided closure to an official year of mourning, even though we know mourning has its own time.
Mercifully the sun was not as hot as it might have been, and I was glad that people seemed satisfied with the service since this was my first experience. Most of these pictures were taken by Geraldo, 9 or his older sister Jennifer 19.
Garrett with his and Christine's youngest grandson Emmanuel, 2 before the service.
Lots of friends and family and umbrellas for the sun. I believe the two ladies dressed in white, friends of Christine are dressed in Damara tradition.
Emmanuel ("Manuel")and his mom, girlfriend of Emmanuel ("Mani") his father.
Auntie Lokie on right, Auntie Joey with umbrella and Auntie Alma on left, behind in black is Auntie Sarah's son Andrew.
Helga and a friend of Christine's dressed in Herero tradition.
Jennifer 19 and Imogene 2. (Geraldo and Jaydine's sister and niece)
Jacqueline with her granddaughter Imogene, 2 and daughter Jaydine, 4, with Auntie Lokie on right, Auntie Alma in print, and Auntie Joey with umbrella.
The group that found the shade- from right Chantell, Armando, Rowena oldest granddaughter of Garrett, a cousin whose name I don't know, second oldest granddaughter Pluma and great grandson facing fence Christian, 2.
Garrett spoke but the grief is still deep.
Rovenda read a psalm.
Richard read the verse of scripture that is on her tombstone from Nehemiah 8:11.
Auntie Sarah spoke.
From everything I was told about Christine, in spite of a long severe illness, she was an amazing person and a very strong woman in the family, church and community. It was only fitting her daughters bless the tombstone.
Christine's immediate family, Rovenda, Helga, Jogbeth, Richard and Garrett. Missing is son Emmanuel. The tombstone reads a symbol of love for our beloved mother (moeder) and grandmother (ouma). The tombstone and plot are prepared for Garrett when his time comes to join her. It says the same thing: but for pa (dad) and oupa (grandfather). In the center under the surname reads rest in peace. (I can read a little Afrikaans).
Garrett on the right with two very important men in his life. On the left is the man who encouraged him to learn repair of pumps which led to owning his own business and in the middle is the man who now contracts with him for most of the work. It meant a lot to Garrett that they made the long trip to support him.
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