Farewell, Mum
Dear Patrons
This is my mother, Paula. She left us, and this world, two days ago. I am sharing this very personal news with you because I’d like you to know that, if you love The Juice Media, it’s in great part thanks to her.
She taught me to care about justice and fairness and to stand up for it from the start, passing on what her parents instilled in her in turn growing up in apartheid South Africa. As a child she dragged me (and my younger brother Daniel) halfway around the world, from Florence to Perth, Johannesburg to Windhoek, changing schools almost a dozen times, and in the process showed me the world, and made me resilient. She taught me to appreciate beauty, whether it be nature, art, literature or music, by the love and passion she had for those things. A passion she instilled in the hundreds of students she taught in schools and universities around the world - everyone recognising her sharp, funny and sometimes intimidating intellect. Even as a single-parent, she made sure my brother and I received a good education, and so many of the books that shaped my mind and the music that formed the soundtrack of my youth, came from her – from Borges to William Blake, Verdi to Johnny Clegg. A bit crazy and wildly imaginative, she inspired and nurtured a deep sense of curiosity and creativity in me from a young age. She stimulated my imagination, but also taught me how to write with a sense of narrative purpose, to distil my ideas so that I could communicate them to others in a way that gets to the heart of the matter (“the juice”). If that mix of ingredients is what makes the Honest Government Ads work, its thanks in great part to Paula. Even the swearing bit (although here I also need to credit my dad). There’s so much more to Paula of course, but these are some of the tools my mother gave me, and without which the Juice Media would never have been possible. So I just want to take this moment to acknowledge her.
Paula’s ultimate bravery was to gracefully face a painful and brutally slow decline at the hands of early-onset Alzheimer’s, a disease which robbed her, and us, of so much. Most painfully, it robbed her of being a grandmother to my and Lucy’s children, Luca and Juno, who never got to know her as the force of nature she once was. I feel anger when I think about the hundreds of billions blown on nuclear submarines instead of a cure that could have saved Paula, and the millions of people who will succumb to this singularly cruel disease. One day I want to make a video to get some things off my chest about this. But for now, I just want to say my heart goes out to all those who are travelling this road with their own parents, or partners. And if you’re reading this because you love the Juice Media, I desperately want you to know that so much of what you love is thanks to this woman I am proud to call my mother. Years ago, when she could still talk, she told me she was proud of what I am doing. So I know that Paula lives on in my work here at the Juice Media; and in her grandkids Luca and Juno, who Lucy and I will try to raise with the same passion for beauty, laughter and crazy adventures that she shared with us.
Love you mum. Rest in peace, finally. Your loving son, Giordano
ps. I will be travelling back to Cape Town for Mum's funeral in the coming days. I will make an Honest Goverment Ad in April, but it might be a little late. Thank you for your patience
Comments (105)
Lost my mum 2 years ago. She had advanced dementia which made her very angry and confused. Being her full-time carer as her condition deteriorated was very hard at times. It was the moments of lucidity and love that kept me going. She'd pop out the front door to go to Ireland (her birthplace) which she assured me was just up the road. Mum was the only one who ever came close to understanding me. The punk, atheist biker in a family of conservative Catholics. I miss her everyday. She too, like your Mother, taught me to care about others.
Thank you for this beautiful message Mick, I really appreciate it. Raising a toast to both of our awesome mum's and their legacies. Also, thank you for supporting our work here! G
Your work is fitting tribute, I’m sure. As I learned as well, the cruelest part of this disease is that we actually lose our loved ones twice. As for the swearing, I consider it my sacred duty as a father to be sure my daughter has a mouthful of appropriate words at her disposal. To my delight, I heard her say, “What’s this shitfuckery?” for the first time recently.
Thank you John. I'm sorry you had to go through this journey too Please say hi to your daughter from us! :)
Sorry, catching up with this news late as I haven't jumped into Patreon for a while. My sincerest condolences and very sorry for your loss. What a wonderful person and what a great legacy. Keep up the great work. The world desperately needs you and the work you and your amazing team do.
Thank you so much Sean 💛🙏
My heart and love to you. I just joined and saw this news. Losing my Mama was life-changing. I thank you for your work and commitment to honesty.
Thank you 💛🙏💛🙏
Condolences mate. From the sounds of things, she seemed like a pretty awesome person, and you would have been lucky to have her as a mum.
Thank you Ben, she was awesome 💛🙏
mum, you did the best job any mum could hope to do and you have left a legacy that will continue on for generations G, so very sorry for your loss - please take time to grieve however you need to
Thank you for the sweet message Koala Sedai 💛🙏
I love your work on The Juice Media. Sorry for the loss of your amazing mother, may she live on in your memories & your work. Vale Paula.
Thank you for the lovely comment Claire💛🙏
Your words and experience resonates so true to how we’re all personally encountered in our Adulthood lives. Either from having older parents not being active enough to debilitating illnesses prevailing them really does rob our children to gain that inner connection which us Parents desperately desire that complete family tree. Thank you dearly G & L for sharing your personal news as most patreons here really do feel & appreciate your openness especially when our personal experiences in those feelings is mainly kept locked inside is emotionally draining & not good! Our sincere condolences 💐 Respect TJM ✊
Thank you Bob 💛🙏
She did well, and lives on in your family, and what you do. Thanks for sharing all of that with us. Take care!
A very belated thank you for your kind words here, Danielle 💛🙏
Thanks for sharing, enormous hugs.
A very belated thank you for your kind words here, Laurent 💛🙏
You know, even through the hard times of the disease, I'm sure she felt the love that radiates from your words and that you no doubt shared with her. Heartfelt condolences to the whole family and keep up the good fight your mum taught you.
Grazie Lucilla 💛🙏
Giordano. E-hugs to you and your family. A beautifully written tribute to your mother. You have passed down parental love, learning and dedication to your own children and so Paula's legacy lives on. Respect
Thank you Brian 💛🙏
Condolences. I'm sure that as the bitterness softens, the good memories and appreciation will continue to rise and inspire,
A very belated thank you for your kind words here, Graeme 💛🙏
Thank you for sharing Giordano. I lost my mum the same way aged only 69. Best Wishes & Take Care Froggy XO
A very belated thank you for your kind words here, Greg 💛🙏 And I am so sorry you and your mother had to walk a similar path. Much love to you xo
Massive love to you & the family in what is undoubtedly a hard time, mate. Paula sounds like she was a sharp and canny legend. Big hugs.
Thanks for sharing. I know what it's like to loose your mum. You know we're are all going die, but you're never really prepared when it happens. RIP Paula.
A very belated thank you for your kind words here, Trevor 💛🙏
This is such a beautiful piece of sharing, and I am grateful that you have given us insight into your relationship with your inspiring mum... Thank you. The legacy that you've described is clear in the work that you do, and I feel honoured to understand a bit more about the person(s) behind juice, because the work you do stands for the very humanness in us all. Sending all tender condolences to you and your family. Vale, Paula.
Thank you for the beautiful message here Eliza. Sorry for the very belated response, it has taken me time to be able to read through all the lovely comments here. I am so grateful for your comment, and the support of our work. Thank you 💛🙏
Oh Giordano, I'm so sorry to read this news. I lost my Dad a few weeks ago - he had dementia - so it is particularly poignant. Thank you for all you do. You're so lucky to have found a way to channel your energy and intellect into something meaningful that makes a real difference in the world. Me, I'm still struggling with the Machine. My thoughts go out to you. Even when you know something is coming for a long time it doesn't make it any easier, as I've recently found out. The most valuable advice given to me was to take time - take all the time you need. Don't rush things. The shitfunnels will (unfortunately) still be here when you're ready to get back to crushing them. Thank you for sharing your Mum with us too. What an amazing woman.
Thank you Mark 💛🙏 this is a very belated response to your message, but I wanted to let you know I am sorry for the loss of your father to dementia, not long before my own mother's. I hope they are hanging out somewhere together. Much love brother
Sometimes less in more. I have no words that will come close to expressing what needs to be said here. Hopefully the loss of Paula provides even more energy and vigour to continue the great work you all do. You as a leader I do have one request. Don’t apologise for taking time out for important things and delay your next release as long as it takes to deal with this loss fully for the ones that Paula leaves behind. We could all learn from that kind of leadership. RIP Paula what a legacy you leave.
Thank you Mark 💛🙏
My thoughts are with you and your lovely family Giordano . What a beautiful tribute. I share your anger, so much money wasted by ‘our’ governments that could be put to better use doing medical research into this debilitating disease. For example the Medical Research Future Fund $22.3bn by Kevin 07. Let alone submarines and subsidies for fossil fuel, forest destruction . My mum too suffered terribly from Alzheimer’s. Her gradual decline was so scary for her, an avid reader who noticed she couldn’t remember characters or the threads of stories anymore. Her decline was torturous over many years. In the end she couldn’t even remember my brother, myself or my father. At 89 she, in her a loving tone asked who are they, as I showed her a photo of her wedding . She immediately rebuked me: “ I’m too young to be married !” She referred to me, not as her son, but a relative from her youth.
Thank you for this message Dave, sorry for the slow response. I am so sorry you and your mother had to go through this too, my heart goes to all of you 💛🙏
Thank you for sharing this tribute to your Mom, Giordano. Wishing you and your family strength and perseverance.
Thank you Jeremy 💛🙏
Giordano, so sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing! Big hugs from Italy / Germany and take the time off that you need, as little or as much as you feel right.
Grazie Andrea 💛🙏
Thanks for sharing. Like many of us, I'm also grappling w the challenge of supporting aging parents and the ravages of dementia.
A very belated thank you for your kind words here, David 💛🙏 Caring for aging parents is tough, thank you for being there for them as they, hopefully, were there for you at the start. Much love to you and yours, Giordano xo
It breaks my heart 💔 that your wonderful, incredible, nurturing mother is no longer on this planet. Yet she lives on in your perspectives, your ethics, your dedication to sing your part in the opera of life. Cherish your fond memories of her and continue to share her messages to the world through you.
A very belated thank you for your kind words here, Mark, i deeply appreciate them 💛🙏
Powerful, loving, smart ,,, what a Mum! Thank you for sharing her (and your) story. Our family is dealing with dementia - Alzheimer's colleague - and we understand the struggles. Treasure your memories and know of our heartfelt condolences.
A belated thank you for your kind words here, JavaJava 💛🙏 I am so sorry that you are walking a similar path, my heart goes out to your family. Giordano
Thanks for the inspiration in your tribute. Keep your heart on the matter and we'll be here for you.
Her memory for a blessing, always. Thank you for sharing her with us.
Your work exposes the truth - what better testament could a Mom ask?
❤️
Beautiful photos. Beautiful tribute. Sorry to hear you lost Paula to this devastating disease that brings grief far to early. Warm thoughts to you and yours.
Big thanks to your mom for everything she taught you. My condolences.
Giordano thank you for sharing a little of your incredible mother, what a powerhouse! In you and Juice Media she leaves a rich legacy! Much love to you all at this sad time. 🌼💕
A very belated thank you for your kind words here, Ruth 💛🙏
My condolences to you Giordano.
So sorry for your loss Giordano we are all very thankful for your mums legacy. I’m sure she was amazingly proud of you ❤️
Giordano, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mum sounds like someone I would have liked to have known. Take all the time you need to mourn and grieve. Safe travels.
Thank you Martin 💛🙏
Take your time Giordano and gang, lost my mum earlier than expected almost a decade ago. Great she bought you and your skills and efforts into the world. We're here to keep the the Juice going even when you need a break
A very belated thank you for your kind words here, Peter, I really appreciate them 💛🙏
A beautiful tribute Giordano. Thank you so much for letting us be part of your grieving. Your mum was amazing, and through you, she has given us so much. Take time to be with your sadness and we look forward to seeing you.
A very belated thank you for your kind words here, Glenn 💛🙏
I watched 2 people die from Alzheimers 15 years ago, and recently lost a friend of 35 years to something truly stupid back this last December. Still haven't figured out how to deal with some of that. Grief and grieving is terrible. Only reason I'm functional at this point is by being prepared long ago by my mother's encouragement, and from calm, rational discussions and videos by Caitlin Doughty's "Ask a Mortician" channel. I hope you fair better.
Sorry for your loss. Paula will be remembered fondly I think.
Condolences, Giordano.
Sorry for your loss. Your mother sounds like a wonderful person. My father also died with alzheimers, not a good way to go.
Sincere condolences 💜
Sorry for your loss 😔
I lost my mum 14 years ago, and I know how difficult it is to say goodbye to someone who has been so pivotal in shaping who you are and how you look at the world. I very much appreciate the beautiful words you have written about your Mum Giordano, and I hope the gathering in Cape Town goes well. Lots of love. Dave
Dear Dave, a very belated thank you for your kind words here 💛🙏 It's taken me a while to build the strength to read all the beautiful comments here, but I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate it. I am so sorry for your mother's loss even though it was 14 years ago. She would be so proud of all the great work you are doing in the world. Love, Giordano
Giordano, please accept my sincere sympathy on the loss of your Mum to this cruel disease. It must have been very difficult grieving her even as she still lived. You wrote a beautiful tribute. Dave
Giordano, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. She sounds like a person I would have loved to meet and I don't say that lightly. Take all the time you need to mourn and to grieve. Safe travels 🙏
How fortunate were you, to have a mother like that..
A very belated thank you for your kind words here, Don 💛🙏And yes, I am still learning how fortunate to have a mother like that
Condolences Giordano. In the words of the great Johnny Clegg “Africa, what made you so strong?”.
A very belated thank you Michael 💛🙏 "It's a cruel, crazy, beautiful world"
She sounds like an amazing person and a great mum. I'm sorry for your loss and hope that you and Lucy are ok!
Take all the time you need, G … sounds like fighting shitfuckery was her style :)
Sorry for your loss Giordano. Her sprit continues in Juice Media
Sincere condolences to you and family, and thanks Paula for giving us your son! ❤️🙏🏻
Thank you, Giordano, for sharing that- very moving. Thinking of you guys.
So sorry to hear, my heart goes out to you and your family and everyone who loved her. It's amazing how one generation can shape the next one in a positive way, I'm very happy to have you and your teams work in my life, so let me say thanks Paula, you shaped up a great human being that is carrying on your legacy the legacy of humankind to take care of each other and our living world. Thanks Paula!
A very belated thank you for your kind words here, Adolfo 💛🙏
Sad to read these words Giordano, very touching, and full of love. Much respect to you buddy. P.
I pay my respect to your Elders 🙏🏼, their beliefs and spirit live on through you, in service to make a better world for future generation. E rere wairua, e rere Ki nga ao o te rangi Whitiwhitia e te ra Mahea ake nga poraruraru Makere ana nga here, Makere ana nga here. Fly O free spirit, fly to the clouds in the heavens, transformed by the sun, with all doubts swept away and all restrains cast down. Yes, all restrains are cast down. ☮️💟🕉️
A very belated thank you for your beautiful words here, Zen, I really appreciate it 💛🙏
A wonderful and heartfelt tribute to your brave, wise and brilliant mother. Thank you Giordano, for carrying on her flame.
She sounds like she was a remarkable woman. Sending you lots of love 💜
Thank you for being a great son. I'm sure she was very proud of you. Let's keep up the fight to honor her memory.
Condolences and all the best in coming to terms with your loss. Take the time out you need for this significant effort. xxxxx to all your family
So sorry for your loss, Giordano. She sounds like she was an incredible person - an incredible mother, and grandmother. From your description, she lives in in you, and in your family ...
Condolences, thankyou for sharing
You are so lucky to have had such a mum in your life, to help you shape who you are and so much of what you do. The Juice Media is such an important perspective in our lives and we hope it continues forever, just like the wonderful memories, lessons and experiences that will continue in yours. Wish you and yours health and a long life.
A very belated thank you for your kind words here, Ian 💛🙏 And yes, very lucky
What an amazing life she had. Growing up in South Africa and living alongside apartheid while resisting it is no mean feat. She bestowed you some great life skills and you've done her proud. I need to learn more about Johnny Clegg
Sending love and sympathy to you and all the family at this sad time. Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute to your mum - clearly a wonderful woman who achieved so much and passed on wisdom and a sense of justice to you.
A very belated thank you for your kind words here, Sally 💛🙏
I'm so sorry for your devastating loss. Thank you for sharing Paula's story with us. My thoughts are with you all.
Sad to hear this news. You honour her with your work at Juice Media. She sound's like she was an awesome mum. 💖
Take care Giordano. Take all the time you need
Our deepest condolences
She sounded like a beautiful lady. Thank you for sharing that her light with us!