June 17th 2009

I got a phone call from Oom Piet Gouws to come and see him regarding wedding photos for his son Alleck and fiancé Marie. Now I've been to a few of these before but didn't expect oom Piet to be on the couch, with FHM-like posture and without a shirt.

Nonetheless, the consultation went well and a few months later I photographed the wedding. Oom Piet, impressing with a matching outfit to that of Alleck was overwhelmed with pride in his newfound daughter in law. Right after signing the register he took her by the hand and could but gaze at her with joy. Weddings are always jam-packed with emotion, but his expression in that moment was so genuine and tangible he became an instant favorite.

A while later I phoned Marie to make arrangements to either collect something or drop something off(can’t remember exactly) and with great disappointment I learned that Oom Piet passed away from a heart attack only a couple of days earlier.

My heart went out to them, just married and then losing a parent, life can dish out some hard blows. The flip side though is a little honeymoon baby on his/her way (no, he’s not being reincarnated), something to lift the spirits in a time of mourning.

So… here’s to Oom Piet, I’m sure he is missed greatly and to a new life with many first impressions still to be made.