Not just a house keeper

by Carey Wessels
(South Africa)

When my husband and I moved to Durban just over 3 years ago we found out the day we arrived we were pregnant. It was not planned but a huge blessing. My Mom came to help us settle in and look for someone to clean the house etc. Enter Phindi... Phindi; worked with me for 3 years, she watched as my belly got bigger, she was there the day we brought our daughter home from the hospital. She moved with us from house to house.

Eight months ago we moved into a place where Phindi could stay on the property. My daughter Kate (now 2) loved having her around 24/7 and they were the best of friends. Often I would hear them playing, laughing and dancing together in Kate's play room. To say Phindi was one of the family is an understatement, she is everything to us.

On Monday 8 November 2010, Phindi never arrived to work, I put it down to taxes and trains running late. By 10 she still wasn't here and she wasn't answering her cell. I started to get a bit worried as Phindi always called even if she was running even 30 minutes late, so I called her Mom. Unfortunately her Mom is Zulu and didn't understand me too well and just said Phindi has gone to work in Stanger.

By the afternoon she still hadn't called and I started to get worried so I called her Mom again and explained she was not at work.

Phindi's Mom arrived at her house at 5, she was pronounced dead at 8 that evening.

The pain and sadness I feel is unbearable. Besides my own grief, I have to explain to my 2 year old that her best friend is not coming back. Phindi meant the world to us and we loved her like family.

I know in time it will get better and thanks to a dear friend I found this website which has provided me with so many answers. I am still very much in the denial, guilt, overwhelming grief stage but I look forward to being able to talk about Phindi and remember the amazing person she was. She will live in our hearts forever.

Phindi we love you and we miss you, you can never be replaced. RIP