A Father’s Unconditional Love

By Prinisha Moodley

Just when I thought I had everything I needed and the best that life has to offer, in the blink of an eye it was changed forever...

Cancer is a disease that now affects all of us, with cancer rates increasing with every passing year. Never in my wildest imaginations, however did I think that my very own family would be devastated by this terrible disease...

Harry Moodley, my father was a devoted family man. He lived as much as he loved and it’s tragic to think that his story ended long before it was finished. How do you wipe away the tears and mend a broken heart after having to say good-bye to your beloved dad? My world came crashing down the instant he took his last breath; all the time spent hoping, praying and believing for a miracle of healing gone with him. His loved ones left behind now have to deal with the loss and keep his legacy alive. There are many unsung heroes like my father who have fought the battle against cancer but are not recognised and honoured. I wrote this book about my father’s battle with the disease to remind people that cancer is rife and it must be beaten – and of the terrible consequences when a loved one loses their fight in this regard.

About the Author

Prinisha Moodley is first and foremost a devoted wife, mother and daughter. She is a Quality Process Engineer and is currently studying at the University of Witwatersrand. In her spare time you will find her relaxing with a good book and a cup of chai latte. A Father’s Unconditional Love is her first book written in honour of her father.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Prinisha Moodley
• Release date: Jun 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463047866

Book preview

A Father’s

Unconditional

Love

Prinisha Moodley

Copyright © 2020 Prinisha Moodley

Published by Prinisha Moodley Publishing at Smashwords

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without permission from the copyright holder.

The Author has made every effort to trace and acknowledge sources/resources/individuals. In the event that any images/information have been incorrectly attributed or credited, the Author will be pleased to rectify these omissions at the earliest opportunity.

Published by Prinisha Moodley using Reach Publishers’ services,

P O Box 1384, Wandsbeck, South Africa, 3631

Cover designed by Reach Publishers

Website: www.reachpublishers.co.za

E-mail: [e-mail]

Dedication

In loving memory of Harry Moodley and all the brave souls who fought so hard but lost the battle against the dreaded disease Cancer, and

To my mum, who lost the love of her life… we love you dearly.

Daddy’s Girls

– by Prinisha Moodley

You always called us your girls, even as we grew into ladies, became wives and then mothers.

You loved us so much, we felt it from afar, and you made us feel like the only girls in the world.

Your heart warm and pure, Dad you were just one of a kind.

How do Daddy’s girls move on when their knight has fallen? The question when you have a one in a million and a million in one Dad.

Time heals they say, but your girls are stuck in time.

Our hearts yearn and ache for only you.

Dad, your girls are in despair.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Daddy’s Girls

Prologue

The Man Behind the Name

Finding True Love

Daddy’s Girl

A Doting Granddad

The Dreaded C

The Dreaded Disease: Cancer

Diagnosis

Treatment

Immunotherapy

The End of the Fabulous Four

Our Final Months

Saying Goodbye

Epilogue

A Letter to Dad in Heaven

Prologue

My dad, Harry Moodley, has been there at every milestone of our lives; from our first day at school to when we welcomed our own children. I did not imagine one day waking up without him being in my life. He was healthy and had wonderful years ahead of him. He was our pillar of strength, our confidant and motivator. One might think this is the duty of a father as the head of the family, yet Dad was special but not perfect. He was like a rare gem, which through the refining process became precious and treasured. His actions always reminded me of Proverbs 3:3-4: Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man.

He made his fair share of mistakes but was honest enough to admit them. I wonder if that’s what made him gain the respect of those he interacted with. My uncle once told me that Dad needed no degree in Human Relations, as he was blessed with a personality that allowed him to engage with people from all walks of life. Dad and I shared a very close and special bond. My mannerisms, opinions and outlook on life epitomise him since I spent so much time with him. He was such a great person to be around. He was not only my dad but also my best friend. I could share anything with him and, most importantly, he would listen. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world because I was blessed to have such a special connection with him and because he was an exceptional dad. As the saying goes, All good things must come to an end. On the 13th of June 2019, my life was turned upside down and my joy ripped from me. My dad took his last breath and became my angel.

Backtrack to the 6th of June 2018, when we received the awful news that he had been diagnosed with bladder cancer. I remember crying and thinking, This is not happening. I felt we had been handed a death sentence, yet we stayed positive. We knew advances had been made in the treatment of the disease and so the journey to fight the Dreaded C began. Dad loved his girls as he affectionately referred to us and we loved him in return. He was a remarkable individual and his legacy needs to live on. There are many unsung heroes like Dad who have fought the battle against cancer but are not recognised and honoured. My dad, Harry Moodley will not be forgotten. His fight will be written, remembered and revered. We were blessed and privileged to have him. This book is for him.

Part One

Where it All Began

The Man Behind the Name

"I may not have degrees behind my name, but I thank God for giving me the ability to interact with people from all walks of life."

On the 24th of February 1953 in the windy city of Port Elizabeth, Harriseelan Moodley, affectionately known as Harry was born. He was a reserved and homely child, an introvert. His name was well chosen since Harry means home or house protector. He grew up in Sleepy Hollow, Pietermaritzburg, raised by his aunt and uncle who adored him.

Harry had many special talents. He was an excellent carpenter, soccer player and mathematician. I presume that’s where my son gets his love for maths from. If Dad was not disadvantaged, I believe he would have achieved his dream of studying further and having a career in the medical field. He inspired us, and more significantly he believed we would become successful in whatever we put our minds to and in return lived his dreams through us.

Harry had a natural gift to interact with people from all walks of life