‘All men must die, but only some men truly live’ – William Wallace, Braveheart.
Motorcyclists and friends gathered at Grotto to Gravel in the Magaliesburg on Saturday to show their respect and celebrate the life of Gus Maartens, who went to his eternal home on the 19th of July after an incredibly brave battle following a double lung transplant more than a year ago. Like everything he did in his life, Gus fought his final battle with supernatural guts and determination. The support that he received from his beloved wife, Mariette, during his illness will forever be an inspiration to all who know them. Little did they know the significance of the marriage vows pledged to each other at their unique marriage ceremony at Tankwa padstal in their beloved Karoo, seven odd years ago.
Gus and Mariette met through a mutual love for motorcycles. Gus had suffered the passing of his wife, and Mariette had barely survived a traumatic and abusive relationship. Gus was smitten with the feisty girl and won her over with unconditional love, kindness and empathy, erasing the scars of the past and showing her what God intended marriage to be. What followed was a wonderful adventure with their mutual love of bikes at its core. Gus accepted Mariette’s girls as his own, and his love for Mariette was reflected in the love that he showed them. The love that they radiated as a family was infectious and rubbed off on all the many folks who got to know them.
‘To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part’, the vows so glibly repeated and so easily forgotten when strife strikes. But not for Gus and Mariette. When Gus was diagnosed with a terminal lung illness, they did the same as when attacking challenging terrain on their beloved GSs. They looked up, stood up, and opened up! Gus, supported every step of the way by his Mariette, continued living his life with enthusiasm, just piggybacking an oxygen cylinder that helped him breathe. The threat to their future also served to deepen their love for each other as well as their trust in God. Miraculously, a lung transplant, the only hope for Gus, became possible and was duly done.
What followed was over a year of battling to recover. Gus and Mariette were on a rollercoaster of hope and despair. Just as he seemed to be on the road to recovery, infection would beat him back down again. This was a recurring theme for over a year. Mariette clocked up more than 50,000 k’s travelling to Milpark hospital and back, being there for her man through it all. Comforting, encouraging, pampering and praying. If love alone could have healed Gus, he would have flourished. Friends they had made rallied around in support, both materially and prayerfully. Gus suffered terribly, both physically and mentally. In drug-induced psychosis, he relived battles fought in Angola during the border war. All who saw what he was going through marvelled at the strength of the man, both mentally and physically. He was running a different kind of Comrades. A marathon during which the highs and lows caused him to love more deeply and grow his faith in God immeasurably.
It was a real-world example of the truth of 2 Corinthians 12:9, which tells us that ‘His strength is made perfect in weakness’. Gus and Mariette were on a journey with their God, where it was only their faith in Him and His strength that kept them going. On the 19th of July, with her head on his chest, Mariette told Gus that it was ok to let go, that he would find healing and an end to his suffering in heaven with the Jesus that he had come to love so much. He peacefully breathed his last and went home. Scripture tells us that ‘to live is Christ and to die is gain’. This is difficult to grasp for us who think that our life on earth is what it is about. I believe that our lives on earth are preparation for eternity. At the appointed time and place, we will go home to our Creator.
There were two rides to Grotto to Gravel. A bunch of riders met at 8 am on a chilly winter’s morning to ride through from Touratech in Centurion. A second group left at 8,30 am from Raceworx in Jo’burg. After arriving at Grotto to Gravel, everyone proceeded from the parking area to the seating set out for the service conducted by Pastor Johan Van Eck. The procession was accompanied by the haunting strains of a lone piper playing Amazing Grace. Johan Lee then shared from the heart on the blessing of life given by organ donors. His account of the loss of his 19-year-old daughter and the five lives saved through the donation of her organs was both moving and thought-provoking.
A short ceremony by some of Gus’s old army veteran comrades was poignant and a reminder of the sacrifices made by brave men in the service of their country. A bugler played the Last Post as the veterans stood to attention and saluted their fallen comrade. The walls at Grotto to Gravel are adorned with many photographs of Gus’s exploits, as well as the many adventures that he shared with Mariette, bearing testimony to a rich life lived with much love and passion. Theo Scholtz, a long-term friend, shared anecdotes on the life of a remarkable man.
Pauli Massyn, who, together with his wife Retha, was a pillar of strength for Mariette throughout her ordeal, then took on what was for me the most difficult task of a hugely emotional day. He read Mariette’s letter, paying homage to the man she loved so dearly. This was followed by Mariette’s daughter, Marcelene, sharing her feelings on ‘Pa Gus’. Speaking from the heart and with huge emotion, she shared the love that they had shared. His unconditional love, encouragement and guidance literally helped shape her life into the brave and independent young woman that she is today. What an incredible account of the true measure of the man!
With the formalities completed, we enjoyed a spitbraai lunch and drinks, celebrating the life of a truly special man. Kudos to Mariette for honouring her man in such a remarkable way. The cry of her heart, which was evident in her ‘totsiens’ letter to Gus, was how she couldn’t navigate life without him. I feel that his answer to her would be the same as when she struggled to negotiate deep sand on her ‘delivery bike’ on one of their adventures. With her in tears but carrying on to the best of her ability, he reassured her with the words ‘jy sal dit maak my skat, jy het balsak!’
Gus, we are going to miss you dearly! In your quiet and humble way, you left deep footprints in all our hearts. No one I know has ever looked as cool as you in shades, that’s a fact! You now know what we all still wonder about… Does the Lord, too, ride a GS? The Word tells us that there is rejoicing in heaven when a believer comes home. Man, what a party that must have been! You sucked the marrow from life and brought joy to those who loved you, none more so than your Mariette and her girls. You are now restored and whole again. ‘Totsiens my friend, till we meet again. ’
