When I have slept and kicked out some house guests, I'll add some text to the photos taken today by Mrs Jesbass...
EDIT: Okay, I've finally found some time in the afternoon to attend to this.
Firstly, let me just say that the Fai family are the most amazingly humble, caring, and loving family I think I've ever had the honour of meeting. The first family members we saw were Sonny's grandmother, in her 70s, walking up and down the beach, and one of his uncles with his wife and kids. The small group gathered to pray before walking the beach. We conveyed our sorrow for the situation, and Sonny's aunt said simply: "We walk and we hope."
The rest of the family weren't there at that time, so my wife and I walked the beach ourselves, vainly looking for any sign of hope. People sunbathed and swam between the flags while we took in the ferocity of the waves and the impact they've had on the nearby cliff faces over time. If I had any hope of Sonny returning alive, it vanished pretty quickly. I'm grateful for that, however - I'd already experienced shock, denial, and anger, so it enabled me to find acceptance.
Not long after, I met a number of other Fai family members. This included Lalelei, Sonny's older sister who is essentially the family's spokesperson, and Gillesbie, the younger brother whom Sonny saved from the rip. I went there to show them love and compassion, to pass on messages of encouragement from good folk online, and to talk about a potential way of honouring Sonny.
La hugged my wife and I twice - firstly for just turning up, and secondly when we went to leave after a 20 minute or so conversation. She was inspiring. She remained strong, and her faith enabled her to be upbeat about Sonny, even while accepting that he's probably gone. La said it was surreal; that it feels as though Sonny is at training. She switched between saying "Sonny is" and "Sonny was" a lot. She's conscious of her parents and of Gillesbie, and she's wary of when it'll truly sink in.
She was incredibly grateful for the messages that I passed on, and she asked for phone numbers of a couple of people so that she can call them to thank them. Even in her loss, she continues to give.
She said she has had people come from as far as England and Canada to pay their respects. Amazing.
She shared a lot of personal anecdotes about Sonny. His motto for life was "Don't give up" - how fitting, then, that these were the words that he used to inspire Gillesbie to get to the beach.
We also talked about doing something to honour Sonny which would give fans a chance to pay their respects, and also raise some money for the Fai family. She has given me her phone number, but I am conscious that as it is Sonny's mobile, if she misses the call, I'll get his answerphone.
A large group of people from Sonny's church youth group gathered at the other end of the beach to maintain the vigil.
I left the beach feeling extremely positive about the situation, accepting our loss but in sheer admiration at the strength and dignified manner in which the family have held themselves since Sonny was swept away a fortnight ago.
I had assumed I would give, but I had never guessed that I would receive. God bless them.
Some of the Fai family, (the three people to the left), including Sonny's 70-something grandmother, patrolling the beach.
