This Bible Verse was sent to Keith & I by Ashley after Anthony's passing:-
Isaiah 57:1 + 2   "Good people pass away;  the godly often die before their time.  But no-one seems to care or wonder why.  No-one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come.  For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die."   

Written by me for Ashley to read at Anthony's Memorial:-

"We love Anthony very much and will miss him more than he will ever know.   We know that he is resting in a much better place and that we will all see him again one day.  This is not good-bye Anthony, we will see you again.  We've lost our only child at the age of 37 years.  Even though we're very sad, we thank God for blessing us for these 37 years with such a wonderful son.

SAYING  GOODBYE
Why did you have to go and die?
We don't want to have to say good-bye.
God thought you were special, so He took you away,
But couldn't He have waited one more day?
God is looking after you now,
High, high up in the sky,
Up there where all the Angels lie.
You wouldn't have wanted us to make a fuss,
After all, you're still down here with us.
Just because we cannot see you, does not mean that you are not here.
We know you are somewhere - very, very near.
We love you so much, but it's time to say,
"Farewell Special Angel, Special Friend,
Because your life here on earth has come to an end."

Rest in peace, Anthony.
 "One more Angel in Heaven - One more Star in the Sky."
 

On 17 December 1975 the life story of Anthony Lawrence Parker began, and was filled each day.  Then, suddenly, without farewell, our dearly beloved Anthony (Ant) was taken from us.  In the days to come we will long for him but remain grateful for all the memories we created while he was ours.  We are not mourning without hope for we will meet again one day.  Deprived of our loved one through profound absence.  Anthony is deeply missed by those he loved so well - His wife Pamela, his daughter Zoie, his son Aidan, and his parents Keith and Linda, as well as all his friends and co-workers at CHC Group.

LIFE'S  CANVAS  
Sunshine and shadow and laughter and tears,
These are forever the paints of the years.
Splashed on the canvas of life day by day,
We are the artists, the colors are they.
We are the painters, the pigments we use
Never we're wholly permited to choose.
Grief with its grey tint and joy with its red
Come from life's tubes to be blended and spread.

Here at the easel, the brushes at hand,
Each for a time is permitted to stand.
White was the canvas when first we began,
Ready to picture the life of a man.
Now we are splashing the pigments about,
Knowing the reds and blues must give out,
Soon we must turn to the dull hues and grey,
Painting the sorrows that darken the way.

Now with the sunshine and now with the shade
Slowly but surely the picture is made.
Even the grey tints with beauty may glow
Recalling the joy of long, long ago.
Let me not daub it with doubt and despair,
Deeds that are hasty, unkind and unfair,
But when the last bit of pigment is dried
Let me look back at my canvas with pride.


"We are shaped and fashioned by what we love. "

In November Anthony had to go back to the hospital for more chemo treatments. We arrived there on his last day at the hospital, just before he was discharged, and met his Oncologist Dr. Brittain.  We spent another great week with Anthony and his family and made plans for their visit to us in December.  We were there for Pamela's birthday on the 2 November and enjoyed a get-together with her family.
Anthony was still looking good, but the effects of the chemo were becoming more and more visible and he tired very quickly.

On the 26th December 2012 they travelled down to us in Illovo Beach.  It was evident from the time they arrived how weak and tired Anthony was.  Pamela did most of the driving down to us.  All Anthony wanted to do was sleep.  I was horrified to see how frail he had become.  While they were here, he had to go to a hospital in Pinetown to see an Oncologist as he was really not feeling well at all.  They wanted to admit him right away, but he chose to rather go home to his own Oncologist.  While he was here, he was taking his chemo by injecction and we were all sure that that was what was making him feel so ill.  They left on the morning of the 31 December 2012 to return home.  Before they left, I held him in my arms and the two of us sobbed our hearts out.  My beloved son was so ill, and I had to watch him leaving me in that condition.  Both of us were so heart-broken.  This was the last time I saw my son alive and held him in my arms :-(

Once Anthony was discharged from hospital, we went up to Boksburg to visit him. I couldn't wait to see him and hold him in my arms and see what this dreadful disease had done to my beloved Son.
I was actually very surprised to see how well he looked and how positive he was. His determination to conquer this evil disease was worth experiencing!!
It was also great to see Pamela and the children.  We spent a wonderful week visiting them and it was heart-breaking leaving them at the end of our stay. 

10 Sept. 2012 - Anthony only got to the hospital at about 10, as per their request. He was still very nervous and very apprehensive. Then it was all systems go. Needles were inserted into his arm for drips, blood and his “juice” (as they refer to Chemo). He sent me pics of Pam in her sterilisation outfit.
11 Sept. 2012 - Anthony still feeling lost and alone and not liking being alone in the ward. Blood being taken periodically to determine whether he needs units of blood, and whether the chemo is doing its job.  He is still scared and bewildered, but more in tune with what is happening to him.
14 Sept. 2012 - Anthony to theatre to have a “porta-cath” (or J-Line) fitted. This is inserted under the skin in the upper chest., because drugs used in chemo are often toxic and can damage skin, muscle tissue and, sometimes, veins. It is also used to draw blood for the countless blood tests that he undergoes to monitor his treatments. He had to shower and don a hospital gown. He was not too impressed that they would not take the drips off for him to shower. Found it very uncomfortable to shower with all that paraphernalia. He contacted me once he came round from the anaesthetic, and told me he was very sore and very sleepy. They hooked all his drips etc. into the porta-cath and he experienced some pain.
Week-end 15 - 16 Sept. 2012 - Anthony still sore and sleepy. Enjoys his visits with Pam and they do brighten him up considerably. He also talks to the kids which help to keep him more positive. Still receiving Chemo. 
17 Sept. 2012 - Last day of chemo for this session. Had to receive two more units of blood. Anthony very down today, and this really breaks my heart. Amazing how I read him, even through texting! I know when he’s up in the clouds, when he’s down in the dumps and when he’s arrogant, and also when he’s just plain “moedeloos”. It’s terrible being so far away from him, but, even if we were still in Gauteng, I would not be able to see him.
18 Sept. 2012 - Asked Anthony if he’s suffered any migraines lately and he said fortunately not. I wrote a thank-you mail to Matthew, his Boss, to thank him for the bracelets. He wrote such a lovely, up-lifting letter back. Brought tears to my eyes. Then I sent it to Anthony. He was over the moon and once again is so determined to get better and back to his “old” life. That lifted my spirits for the day. Very brief “good-night” from Anthony tonight.
19 Sept. 2012 - Sent Anthony a BBM telling him how heart-broken I was by the “impersonal” good-night I received last night. He explained that he is so very tired that he even finds it difficult to type a message. Now I understand, and know what to expect. The after-effects of the chemo must be kicking in and he’s not his merry little self. He later sent me a BBM telling me how much he loved us and that we must never forget that. So today I’m feeling absolutely shattered. Anthony’s temperature spiked last night for some reason, which didn’t help matters at all. Anthony BBM’d me to let me know that he spoke to the Doc who was pleased with his progress, therefore Anthony now feels more positive. Due for another Bone Marrow Biopsy to see what the chemo is doing, to be done on Tuesday. Still very tired.
20 Sept. 2012 - Anthony has been told that today is the “lowest point”, and has forewarned me that he might not be very chatty today. Said he had a good night last night and sounded “brighter” this a.m.
21 Sept. 2012 - Anthony woke up late. Good, means he slept well. He spoke to the Doctor today and feels more positive. Platelets up to 21 which the Doc says is good. All other cells dropping, including WBC which need to get to zero. He sounds so positive. He’s due for another Bone Marrow Biopsy Tuesday next week. Depending on the results, he might get to go home next week-end, or soon after. All in all, Anthony was very chatty and very positive and really looking forward to going home to Pam, the kiddies and the doggies.
22 Sept. 2012 - Anthony slept so well last night he didn’t even hear the shift-change. Says he feels so refreshed. Phoned him today and had a long chat. He explained so much about what is happening and what his results are and what they mean. He sounded so good - voice a bit croaky, but that’s evidently because of the chemo. He had to have more blood and platelets. His platelets and haemoglobin were down and that’s why he got more blood. His infection count halved again, which is awesome, and the WBC climbed slightly so he feels all is good.
23 Sept. 2012 - Anthony got more results today - Platelets up to 32; Hb up to 8,6 and infections down to 37. Still very positive and looking forward to his week at home. 
24 Sept. 2012 - Anthony needed Platelets before his BM Bio tomorrow, only to be told they had no stock! Platelets have to keep moving, for which a special machine is used, and that is why the hospital does not keep stock. But, fortunately they found some. All his cells are dropping and should be down by tomorrow or Wednesday, then they should start climbing again. 
25 Sept. 2012-  Anthony awoke refreshed and was very happy with his nurse. Today is Bone Marrow Biopsy Day.  Sent Anthony the follow prayer:  
Dear Lord, I cannot always make sense of this world.  Sometimes it amazes me by its beauty, glory & order.  At other times it seems cruel, dark, destructive and threatening.  I cannot always make sense of the circumstances of my life.  Sometimes I have the wind in my sails, other times I am grieving, questioning and struggling.  In moments I feel deeply loved by You, at other times I feel abandoned and alone.  My heart, soul and mind cry out, “Where are You Lord, in the midst of all this?  Are you far away watching?  Your words are, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you …..”  Well Lord, I am passing through the waters and so You ARE with me! Today I look beside me, there You are, hanging from a cross, sharing my journey.  Help me to live in Your presence every moment of my life no matter how I am feeling or what I am going through.  Help me to know Your love and care in the present moment and for eternity.  Help me to live in faith and trust. Thank You Lord, You ARE with me! Thank You for all my blessings, and my healing. AMEN.
Anthony was very grateful for this prayer, said it made him cry, but he needed it. Today is BM Bio Day. Which he said was very sore. Got more blood this evening. 
26 Sept. 2012 - Just got a BBM, this morning is the best. He’s busy chatting to the Doc. Will come back to me soon. Doctor has just told him he is in REMISSION. No cancer cells in his body. Yippeeeeeeeee!!!!! Day 28 he has another Bone Marrow Biopsy. Evidently it should be the same, then he does a shorter chemo session, and then waits for a transplant. He now needs to wait for his WBC to get to a safe level so his body can fight infection, before he can go home. All hoping for a time between Saturday & Tuesday next week. In the meantime, he’s still complaining of gout, but that’s small fry compared to the cancer he’s just conquered with the help of our Lord, his Doctor, much prayer and the treatments. Anthony is so happy he’s in tears, mind you, can’t blame him, he’s been through sooooo much. Sent me a pic of his feet to show me what the chemo has done to them. Very dry skin. Promised to massage them when I visit. Much happiness and jubilation both here in Toti and in Gauteng. Praise the Lord.
27 Sept. 2012 - Anthony had to have both blood & platelets last night. He was told today that he’d probably get out by Monday/Tuesday next week. I sent out e-mails to all Anthony's Prayer Warriors to let them know the good news about Anthony’s remission. Anthony has to get blood again tonight. His WBC raised a bit tonight. We’re hoping it continues on this path.
28 Sept. 2012 - All Anthony wants now is to go home. He’s sick & tired of lying in hospital day in and day out. That’s about all he spoke of today. Especially after he got the news that he would now only be going home Thursday/Friday next week. He’s very upset and down-hearted. His cells need to grow. So now we all wait again. Poor Pam must be taking the brunt of Anthony having a hissy fit!
29 Sept. 2012 - Anthony still not happy about not going home, but he has to just bite the bullet.
30 Sept. 2012 - Anthony still not a happy chappy because he’s still in hospital.

All this information was given to me by Anthony via e-mail & BBM.

07 August 2012   -  Visited his GP who suspected that he had Yellow Jaundice.
He had been suffering from body aches and a very bad cough for some time, as well as gout.
08 August 2012  -  Into hospital in Benoni for an Ultra-sound, Lung X-rays and blood work.  Lung X-ray clear. Started antibiotics for cough.
09 August 2012  -  CT Scan.
13 August 2012  -  Home from Hospital.
16 August 2013  -   Anthony diagnosed with CML - Chronic Myelogenous Leukaemia - cancer of the white blood cells. This very quickly progressed to AML (Acute Mylogenous Leukemia).  He is to start treatment at the Pretoria East Hospital, next week. Has to go on the donor list so that he can have a Bone Marrow Transplant after his treatment is completed.
19 August 2013  -  Keith and I were in Durban for the day when Anthony phoned me.  Both he and I were in tears as the reality of the severity of his illness hit us both.  He kept telling me that he was very scared.
22 Aug. 2012 - Still taking cortisone for his cough. And his body is still very sore.
28 Aug. 2012 - Anthony finally heard from the Doctor. He has an appointment with him at 11 tomorrow morning. He’s feeling very overwhelmed and let down. He thought by now this “thing” would be up and running!!!
29 Aug. 2012 - Anthony now has to start Chemo on Monday. He is very emotional and overwhelmed and scared, which, of course, is very understandable. Had a long chat with him via BBM. Thank God for technology!
31 August 2012  -  Anthony finished up at work.  He was so happy that Management and all his co-workers were behind him all the way.  He was scheduled to go back to work in January 2013.

Anthony flew the coop in 2001 when he and Pamela got married.  He was 26 years old, educated and well on his way with his carreer in Information Technology.  It was a bitter-sweet time for me.  Anthony and I always enjoyed a very close relationship and we spent many hours chatting about all sorts of things.  He came to me with all his troubles, worries and woes and I turned to him with mine.  We laughed and cried together - and quite often, just being in the same room together was enough for us. Therefore, his leaving home left a great big hole in my life.  But, as any Mother of a Son knows, we just have to "get over it".
Anthony, Pamela & Zoie set up home in Benoni and on 22 January 2003 Aidan Cameryn Parker was born to them.  Keith and I were very happy to be Grandparents to both Zoie and Aidan and Anthony and Pam were very happy with their "Pigeon pair". 

We were in the very fortunate position that we were able to take Anthony on numerous overseas holidays.  Anthony loved travelling, especially during school time. His Principal and teachers were always quite happy to allow him the time off as they said he would learn far more travelling around the world than he would sitting in a classroom.  His first overseas trip was to Austria, in February 1982.  He loved playing in the snow and learned to ski.  We were only there for ten days, so he never really became a very proficient skier.  He did, however, get very annoyed every time he fell.  Great fun was had by all!!!!!  In May of the same year (1982), we took him to Italy.  Sightseeing was not his favorite past-time!!!  Old buildings and old churches were definitely not his scene.  We did, however, all climb Mount Vesuvius.  He thoroughly enjoyed the Isle of Capri and walking around the island and exploring.  He always was very happy anywhere where there was plenty of water.  In July 1983 we took him to the United States of America.  Now that was definitely more his style of holiday.  It was blisteringly hot and he could swim wherever we stayed and visited.  He loved the theme parks and enjoyed most of the rides on offer.  Hawaii was also a firm favorite of his.  He was an absolute star on the long-haul flights and always visited the cockpit to see what the pilot and navigator were doing.  Funny, he never had a desire to be either a pilot or navigator.  October 1990 was Anthony's first visit the the island of Mauritius.  He absolutely loved island life and stated that any further overseas trips were to be to the islands.  No more cultural cities and museums for him!!!!  On the island he learned to scuba dive and snorkel.  He went para-sailing and boating. We took him on a yatch to Ille Aux Cerf. Anthony was in his element!!  In December 1991 we once again took him to Mauritius for his sixteenth birhtday.  Three weeks of  sun, sea and fun, fun, fun. On the island Anthony experimented with many different cuisines and thoroughly enjoyed eating weird and wonderful unusual foods.  It was here that Anthony learned to love seafood.  On this particular visit he did an under-sea walk, which he raved about.  He also spent much time on a glass-bottomed boat learning about what goes on underwater.  My precious Son flourished into a wonderful young man.  Then in August 1982 we took Anthony's Grandparents (Parker) to Mauritius. It was their first time overseas.  Unfortunately on this visit the weather was most unfavourable.  It was windy and overcast most of our stay and not much swimming or water-sports were enjoyed.  We did, however, take his Grandparents' to all the places of interest on the island.  Our last overseas trip together as a family was in July 1993 when we visited the Comores Islands (when South Africans were still allowed there).  Once again it was island life and Anthony had a ball.  This island was very different to Mauritius as it was much quieter and not so over populated.  It was a very relaxing and laid-back experience.
Over the years we also took Anthony to visit many places of interest in our own country, South Africa.  One such time was our family "Adventure Holiday" of Tugela White Water Rafting. We undertook this excursion with Anthony's Uncle & Aunt, Ashley & Rosemary, and his very good buddy Elton Magic, in April 2000.  During our stay we did White Water Rafting, Bum Sliding and Abseiling.  Once again Ant was in his element - the great outdoors, water and adventure!!!!  His favorite past-times.  The places we visited are too numerous to mention, but we feel we gave our beloved son a very well-rounded life, filled with much love, laughter, learning and plenty of great times.   

Anthony attended 12 years of formal schooling. Grade one and two was at Sunnyridge Primary School (1982 & 1983). Standard One at Port Shepston Primary school (1984). Standard two to five at Bedfordview Primary School (1985 to 1988).  His High School years were all spent at Bedfordview High School, where he matriculated in 1993 (1989 to 1993).  He was an average scholar who, like most boys, went to school because he had to!!  Anthony was always a good scholar who behaved at school and did what was expected of him.  He was never really very interested in sport and only partook of swimming during his school years.  When he was in Standard nine, he took an interest in First Aid and did a First Aid Course through St. John's Ambulance in Germiston (1992), as he was interested in becoming a paramedic when leaving school.  There was a time in his latter years of High School that he was interested in joining the Permanent Force of the South African Defence Force.  He was very quickly dissauded from going that route!!!  He also had designs on doing his Open Water one and two Licences and qualifying as a Licenced Diver in order to work in Mauritius as an instructor.  But, as with all of us, life happened and things turned out very differently!!!!   

Anthony was a very happy chappy from day one.  He was always smiling and he had the most infectious laugh - a real belly-laugh - and boy, did he love to laugh!!!  He could keep himself amused for hours - looking for insects or anything he found of interest.  Bugs and goggos of all shapes and sizes kept him amused and interested and he was fearless - he would touch, examine and collect any and every one that he found.  He enjoyed playing with pots and pans and tupperware rather than toys.  He also loved dressing up with Daddy's gum-boots and marching around the house.  Bathtime was his favourite time of the day.  He was a water-baby from day one and would splash and squeal with joy in the bath and in the pool.  He never needed brothers or sisters to play with. he was happy by himself and with his doggies. There were always dogs in our home (still are) and he loved playing with them and tending them. He also enjoyed sharing their food and water with them!!  He started attending Nursery School from the age of three when I returned to work. He enjoyed going there and mixed very well with other children.  He was also very proud of the arts & crafts he accomplished both at Nursery School and Sunday School.  
When Ant was about a year old, he suddenly started having pyrexial colvulsions (due to very high temperatures).  It was very frightening to witness.  Keith and I had it down pat - as soon as he started convulsing, I would remove all his clothes and Keith would fill the bath with cold water and we'd cool him down with cold towels.  It took about six months for the Doctors to discover that this was happening due to his tonsils poisoning his system.  Once they were removed, we never looked back and he then enjoyed excellent health.  Teething was a bit troublesome (to be expected) and he had the usual childhood illnesses of coughs, colds, german measles, etc. When he contracted chicken pox (which was very bad) at about two years, he promptly passed it on to me, so the two of us were very ill together.  We were both covered in blisters from head to foot and looked terrible. My Mother very kindly nursed us back to health as Keith had to go out to work.  All in all, Anthony was a very happy, healthy, well-adjusted little guy and everyone who came in contact with him was very impressed with this well-mannered, well-behaved and happy little chappy.
Anthony loved spending time with his cousins - Dean, Ross, Chad and Seth (on the Parker side) and Natasha (on the Rousseau side).  The "Cousins" would spend a lot of time at Granny Parker's house doing what little boys do - having fun and getting up to mischief.  He also enjoyed over-nighting at either Aunty Rosemary's or Aunty Julie's houses.  They were all very close in their formative years and the Grandparents spent a lot of time with them taking them on some or other excursion or holiday.  Unfortunately Anthony did not see too much of his cousin Natasha.  But when they did get together, they also had good times. 

Ant was christened on the 04 April 1976 at the Primrose Methodist Church by Rev. H.V. Millar.

Anthony Lawrence Parker (Ant) (Cool Beans), was born on Wednesday 17 December 1975 at 1:40a.m. at the Primrose Hill Nursing Home in Wychwood.  Dr. I. Rudolph and Sister S.L. Brand assisted with the birth.
His birth weight was 5pounds 3 ounces and he was 1foot 6 inches tall.
He cut his first tooth on 10 October 1976.
His 1st smile was on 31 January 1976.
First word was Dadda.
First Crawled on 07 October 1976
First swim in the sea was on 12 September 1976.
Started walking at 14 months.
Started using the potty at 17 months. 

My pregnancy with Anthony was not the very best.  I was continually threatening to mis-carry so I spent a lot of it in bed.  To crown it all, we moved into our brand new home and there was very little I was able to do.  But, it all worked out, and (somewhat prematurely) our beloved son was born.