SEDGEFIELD NEWS - The world may just be a better place if its inhabitants took a leaf out of Glenn van Kerkhof's book. Van Kerkhof is trying to cope with the loss of his son, Joss T who disappeared after being caught in a strong rip-current at Platbank Beach, Sedgefield on New Year's Day. Sadly his body has not yet been recovered and the search has been called off.
Van Kerkhof believes that a body is merely a vessel for the soul that lives forever. "Joss is with me all the time," said this gentle, soft-spoken father.
When asked whether Joss speaks to him, Van Kerkhof replied that their communication was difficult to explain. "When I am in a certain state of mind his thoughts are my thoughts and my thoughts become his thoughts."
While Van Kerkhof spoke about his much-loved son. the exceptional bond between father and son became apparent. He explained that due to ill-health, Joss’ mother was unable to take care of him and Van Kerkhof stepped into the role of full-time carer when Joss was a mere three days old. "It has always been just Joss and I. Through thick and thin we stuck together."
Because of Joss’ love of the ocean, father and son moved from Centurion to the Garden Route in 2011. "Joss was conceived on an ocean-liner and when he was around four years old I took the family on an ocean cruise. From that day, it was clear that Joss felt best when he was near the ocean. It is very fitting that he came into the world on the ocean and left in the ocean."
Van Kerkhof said that while he was waiting for news about the whereabouts of Joss, he received a missed call. “The number belonged to the Potchefstroom hospital. At the time I was going out of my mind and thought that it may be possible that somebody had found Joss and took him to the hospital so I told the police. That led to nothing.”
He explained that when he told his cousin’s wife Lesley about the strange incident she reminded him that when Joss was little and spent time with his sick mother, they had drilled that hospital’s number into him. “It could only have been Joss trying to tell me that he was okay.”
He further produced family photographs on which a perfectly round orb appears in different places. “How can people believe that the light within us gets snuffed out when we die. Look at that orb, it's everywhere and there are smaller orbs visible as well.”
"Throughout his life Joss was always the same, very deep and very intense. He saw things that we didn't see," said Van Kerkhof. Gerry van Kerkhof, Van Kerkhof's cousin echoed, "Joss was a remarkable young man."
Van Kerkhof added, "My father had always said that Joss was 'an old soul'."
Van Kerkhof is a cancer survivor and attributes his healing to his son. "One night when the pain was unbearable I had a vision. I saw the most amazing white light and felt a comforting feminine touch. This power instilled knowledge in me that cancer can be cured. She said to me that I have the faith within me to find the cancer-causing stem cells."
Closure
On Wednesday, January 15, Van Kerkhof met with two sangomas at Wilderness Ebb-and-Flow Rest Camp, a place where father and son had spent many happy times together. “She [a sangoma] had tears rolling down her cheeks and said that she could feel the pureness and sincerity. She said that Joss had a humble soul. She also said that it was amazing and extremely rare to see one to ascend in such a quick time. She called Joss T a wizard, something that Joss always believed he was.”
Pointing to a cloth around his waist, Van Kerkhof said that the Sangoma had offered him the cloth. “She told me that Joss had compelled her to choose this cloth which she calls a cloth of tears. She said that all my tears will be converted into positive energies. She also said that Joss needed me to be positive to allow him to break his bonds with earth.”
Van Kerkhof continued, “I know my son and I know how he speaks so I just know that Joss was there with us. The sangoma told me that Joss said: ‘I’m sorry that I spent a lot of time on the computer. I had a lot of people to reach in a very short time.’ I know that was him because I always used to moan at him to get off social media and enjoy the outdoors.”
Before the sangomas left, they hugged Van Kerkhof and, according to him, thanked him for introducing them to such a pure soul. “They said that they were extremely humbled by his humble soul.”
In closing Van Kerkhof undertook to continue to turn his tears into positive energy. “Joss T’s teachings will carry on through me. I have had confirmation that he has ascended and he wants me to continue his teaching here on earth.”
Wake
All are invited to celebrate the beautiful life of Joss Kerkhof at his wake to be held at the Faerie Knowe Backpackers, 1 Dumbleton Road, Wilderness this Saturday, 31 January at 16:00. Tea and coffee with be served and a cash bar is available. The van Kerkhof family asked that those attending bring along a candle.
The ever present orb is visible next to Glenn van Kerkhof's right elbow and above his aunt, (left) Carol Weyers’ head. With Glenn is cousin, Charlie van Kerkhoff and Joss' aunt and Michelle Calmeyer (right).
Orbs have appeared on family photos taken at Joss van Kerkhof's home, since Joss' death. On the photo are his aunts Carol Weyers (left) and Michelle Calmeyer.
ARTICLE: FRAN KIRSTEN
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