A beautiful song of reflection and joy. For when you cast your life before the creation and embrace your inevitable end. Where does the time go, and who knows why and where it comes from for us little humans to enjoy and swim in, just for a moment?
https://open.spotify.com/track/43IYZ1zQpbXXWhGQEgjAjb?si=XEwndS7nQLGjqVFcTMK3KQ
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Friday, April 19, 2019
Ray Peace 1944 - 2019
Peace, Raymond John - MMM CD
Major Canadian Armed Forces Retired. After a long and bravely fought battle, Ray passed away on April 17, 2019 at St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Guelph at the age of 74 years. He was predeceased by his first wife Dianne and survived by his wife Juliet Baldock, daughters Debbie Labrecque (Ray), Cathy Peace and Susie Syme (Al); sister Dora Lee and his grandchildren Bri, Alisha, Robyn, Brandon and Alex. During his lengthy career in the Canadian Armed Forces, Ray served with distinction in many locations and capacities both in Canada and the Middle East.
At his request, there will be no funeral or visitation but donations in his memory will be greatly appreciated and may be made to Diabetes Canada or to any charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to GILCHRIST CHAPEL – McIntyre & Wilkie Funeral Home, One Delhi Street, Guelph, (519-824-0031). We invite you to leave your memories and donations online at:
To Juliet, Debbie, Cathy and Susie,
Brenda and I send our condolences to you on this sad occasion of Ray's death. Brenda was telling me stories of how her uncle Randy used to pop by at the Lee home on Woodbine when she was a little girl, and he would always take time to be attentive and 'hang out' for a while. Brenda really appreciated that positive input from him as an uncle and as an important mentor and role model. Brenda also spoke fondly of times when she was able to visit and stay with her cousins' in the summertime when Ray was living out near Trenton. My memories of Ray include many special family events and occasions, for example Susie's Hamilton wedding with a special reception at the RHLI officer's mess, Debbie's wedding at Borden, and visits with Cathy and her son in Hamilton, not to mention dozens of visits with gramma Peace when our paths would cross. He was a fine man, obviously very dedicated and capable, with a distinguished career of service under his belt. If there were experiences and memories that Ray held in his heart and was unable to put into words for us to know, I respect him deeply for that. I'm glad to have known him and we are glad to have you all in our lives. Take care and we will look forward to seeing you at a memorial service in the future.
Love from Glen, Brenda and family - Olivia, Ian, Elinor
www.gilchristchapel.com and they will be forwarded to the family.
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
Notes From Uncle Don Hepburn re: mom's passing
Thank you very much for sending us the order of service and other parts of the memorial service. I did have some difficulty opening the attachment — I am still very much a technopeasant. -- However, Neil was here yesterday and everything became clear in no time. The comments and recollections were spontaneous, and Ian’s reflections on Amazing Grace was quite lovely . Your Grandma would certainly have been pleased.
Our love to you all.
Don
On Dec 20, 2016, at 8:18 AM, Douglas R Brown
Dear Uncle Don,
Thanks again for putting some of your thoughts down on "paper" for us. They were very helpful as we prepared for the memorial service for mom. I am attaching the a copy of the notes that we used. Gerry, Glen, Dave and I divided them up among us for sharing. Arlene was involved, but did not feel she would be able to speak. Your thoughts are included much as you sent them. Olivia and Elinor shared their own thoughts and those of the grandchildren. Ian played a rendition of Amazing Grace on the piano.
Take care and God bless.
Don Hepburn wrote on 11/12/2016 7:14 PM:
Dear Doug —
We were very sorry to learn of your Mom’s passing. She lived a long and full life and will be greatly missed, but she is freed from the discomfort and pain caused by the illness of her later years.
I understand that you will be delivering a eulogy at the memorial service on Monday and that you are hoping that I might have some comments especially about her younger years, that might be of help to you. I am not sure that I can be of much help. I was the youngest of three children in the family , and more likely to be the subject of stories about memorable events than the observer. There was an age gap of several years separating the three of us, and often the three of us did not even attend the same schools and had quite different social groups. Moreover I was a BOY with two older SISTERS, which may have affected my memories somehow.
Jean was an easy person to get along with. She was a good student , perhaps a little in the shadow of her big sister, and a serious student of the piano and organ. Actually, my memories of your Mother are more memories of her as a grown-up than as a student. She was the bridesmaid at our wedding. For several years after that we all lived in Edmonton, and there were opportunities for us to spend some time together. ( I seem to remember going to a square dance club with Ron and Jean.) Before long, however, we began moving around. The Browns moved west and east (from the lower mainland of BC to Oakville in the East). The Hepburns moved north or south — from Inuvik to Red Deer. The opportunities for getting together were gone. Contact was maintained by visits during holidays, occasionally (after the kids were grown up) two couples holidaying together (Georgian Bay and the Rockies come to mind).
Family connections were very important to your Mom. She established and maintained contact with cousins. When any of our family visited your family, she made sure that as many as possible should be included in the visit. Similarly with friends. Your Mom formed enduring friendships, keeping in touch with people she had known from grade one, from CGIT, from United Church Young Peoples, St. Paul's United, neighbours and others as well, I am sure. Your Mom saw to it that Joan and I met many of them, too.
Your Mom was always busy. She was an organizer and a doer. I don’t think you would call her an activist. She didn’t attend protests or organize petitions or call public meetings. But she did good works, and made this world a better place. I think she was a person with whom the Prophet Micah would have been well pleased.
Love
Don
Saturday, January 12, 2019
The Story of Bill and Marie Brown
The couple you are now looking at is my grandparents William James Brown and Emma Marie Kirkwood aka Bill and Marie.
One day I began swinging my big stick at this Grandparent Piñata and all kinds of sweet little story nuggets fell out.
In order to do so I had to go on a quest of discovery. It was a journey across the country where I met my relatives. I visited them like a beggar, asking for any scraps of information or any little bit of true tales that they might share. I felt like a total sycophant. Completely on the take and only asking for the dirty details.
Better known as Bill and Marie. Better known nowadays as the patriarchal couple of a sizeable clan. The Offspring, you might say.
Bob, Lorraine and Ronnie are the first generation. Their kids. My oh my, there are some rich stories to tell when you get right down to it. You have no idea.
And then there’s the next generation.
Bob’s kids are Karen, Keith, Bobby, Billy, Kim and Kurt. Lorraine’s kids are Mary Ann, Sandy, Bob, and Neal. Ronnie’s kids are Doug, Gerry, Arlene, Glen and David. OMG, the shitload of stories that this group can tell would give your gonads a rush of blood and set your heart a pitter-patter. You’ll see.
In the generation next? Well, things get pretty fucking exciting. Talk about an explosion! Talk about diversity. Talk about creativity. Talk about anything. It’s downright miraculous.
These are the stories you’re going to read. They are sweet, precious, and amazing.
How would one organize a collection of stories that centre around one single couple?
First you would tell the couple’s story. Their story speaks to all the others. Their adventures would help make them who they were. Their choices, their mistakes, their friends, their enemies all have an impact on them and also their children. And their grandchildren. This collection of stories gets its weight from this truth. The stories themselves are the sweet details of a singular unfolding, where two people live their lives, and unbeknownst to them, they write a screenplay of sorts for a thousand other people.
Next you would tell the stories of their children. There are a lot of things that come into play when you start reflecting and analyzing siblings. Birth order. Gender. Gaps in age. Historical context. Job prospects.
The next generation? We can’t escape the truth that we are privileged. We all know that our parents, having lived through hard times, were determined to put themselves on the map by having children. They were pretty good at it. Success in those days seemed to be centred around making sure that you left a bunch of people in your wake who would make this world a better place. It wasn’t a stretch to believe that all of us are survivors and that we should be thankful to be alive.
Which brings us to the NEXT generation. Our kids. The soft clay. The precious ones. The Hopes and Dreams. It’s hard for us to imagine that they too have stories to tell which need to be part of this collection.
One day I began swinging my big stick at this Grandparent Piñata and all kinds of sweet little story nuggets fell out.
In order to do so I had to go on a quest of discovery. It was a journey across the country where I met my relatives. I visited them like a beggar, asking for any scraps of information or any little bit of true tales that they might share. I felt like a total sycophant. Completely on the take and only asking for the dirty details.
Better known as Bill and Marie. Better known nowadays as the patriarchal couple of a sizeable clan. The Offspring, you might say.
Bob, Lorraine and Ronnie are the first generation. Their kids. My oh my, there are some rich stories to tell when you get right down to it. You have no idea.
And then there’s the next generation.
Bob’s kids are Karen, Keith, Bobby, Billy, Kim and Kurt. Lorraine’s kids are Mary Ann, Sandy, Bob, and Neal. Ronnie’s kids are Doug, Gerry, Arlene, Glen and David. OMG, the shitload of stories that this group can tell would give your gonads a rush of blood and set your heart a pitter-patter. You’ll see.
In the generation next? Well, things get pretty fucking exciting. Talk about an explosion! Talk about diversity. Talk about creativity. Talk about anything. It’s downright miraculous.
These are the stories you’re going to read. They are sweet, precious, and amazing.
How would one organize a collection of stories that centre around one single couple?
First you would tell the couple’s story. Their story speaks to all the others. Their adventures would help make them who they were. Their choices, their mistakes, their friends, their enemies all have an impact on them and also their children. And their grandchildren. This collection of stories gets its weight from this truth. The stories themselves are the sweet details of a singular unfolding, where two people live their lives, and unbeknownst to them, they write a screenplay of sorts for a thousand other people.
Next you would tell the stories of their children. There are a lot of things that come into play when you start reflecting and analyzing siblings. Birth order. Gender. Gaps in age. Historical context. Job prospects.
The next generation? We can’t escape the truth that we are privileged. We all know that our parents, having lived through hard times, were determined to put themselves on the map by having children. They were pretty good at it. Success in those days seemed to be centred around making sure that you left a bunch of people in your wake who would make this world a better place. It wasn’t a stretch to believe that all of us are survivors and that we should be thankful to be alive.
Which brings us to the NEXT generation. Our kids. The soft clay. The precious ones. The Hopes and Dreams. It’s hard for us to imagine that they too have stories to tell which need to be part of this collection.
Monday, December 24, 2018
Donald Walter (PhD) Hepburn
November 29, 1930 – December 15, 2018
Don Hepburn passed away peacefully at home on December 15, 2018 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
He was pre-deceased by his sister Joyce, his sister Jean Brown, his daughter Cathy McPhail and son Robert.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joan and sons Gordon (Elsie) of Granville Ferry, Nova Scotia, Bruce (Edith) of Lethbridge, and Neil of Edmonton, together with numerous nieces and nephews.
A life-long educator, Don taught school in Edmonton, and in Ft. Simpson and Inuvik, N.W.T. before returning south. As Supervisor for Special Education for Alberta Education, Don’s work pioneered many of the supports now available to Alberta children with special educational needs. He also taught special education at the Red Deer College and the University of Alberta.
Upon his retirement, Don became an active volunteer for the Central Alberta Historical Society. Don was highly motivated by social justice issues and put his energies into Friends of Medicare, the Council of Canadians, numerous church committees and activities. Most notably, he was involved in reconciliation efforts fostered by Sunnybrook United Church and helped found the Remembering the Children Society. In 2003, the Red Deer Rotary Clubs named Don as Citizen the Year. In 2018, Don received an honorary Doctorate of Sacred Letters from St. Stephen’s College for his work with the Remembering the Children Society. Don Hepburn was a quiet, scholarly, gentle man who accomplished much. We will miss him greatly.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
A celebration of life is planned for some time in the new year.
Don Hepburn passed away peacefully at home on December 15, 2018 after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
He was pre-deceased by his sister Joyce, his sister Jean Brown, his daughter Cathy McPhail and son Robert.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joan and sons Gordon (Elsie) of Granville Ferry, Nova Scotia, Bruce (Edith) of Lethbridge, and Neil of Edmonton, together with numerous nieces and nephews.
A life-long educator, Don taught school in Edmonton, and in Ft. Simpson and Inuvik, N.W.T. before returning south. As Supervisor for Special Education for Alberta Education, Don’s work pioneered many of the supports now available to Alberta children with special educational needs. He also taught special education at the Red Deer College and the University of Alberta.
Upon his retirement, Don became an active volunteer for the Central Alberta Historical Society. Don was highly motivated by social justice issues and put his energies into Friends of Medicare, the Council of Canadians, numerous church committees and activities. Most notably, he was involved in reconciliation efforts fostered by Sunnybrook United Church and helped found the Remembering the Children Society. In 2003, the Red Deer Rotary Clubs named Don as Citizen the Year. In 2018, Don received an honorary Doctorate of Sacred Letters from St. Stephen’s College for his work with the Remembering the Children Society. Don Hepburn was a quiet, scholarly, gentle man who accomplished much. We will miss him greatly.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
A celebration of life is planned for some time in the new year.
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Mom (Jean Brown) - Obituary
D. Jean BROWN (nee Hepburn)
BROWN, D. Jean (nee Hepburn) Passed away peacefully with her loving husband by her side, on December 6, 2016 at Ian Anderson House, in her 90th year. Jean, beloved wife of Ron Brown for 61 wonderful years. Dear mother of Doug (Carolyn), Gerry (Deb), Arlene (John), Glen (Brenda) and David (Diane). Cherished nana of Trevor, Steven, Sarah, Lindsay, Amy, Nathan, Olivia, Kevin, Matthew, Ian, Chris, Jason, Elinor and Zoe. Loving sister of Don (Joan) Hepburn of Red Deer, Alberta. Predeceased by her elder sister Joyce. Jean was an active member of St. Paul's United Church for 47 years. She will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by family, friends and all who knew her. A memorial service to celebrate Jean's life will be held on Monday, December 12, 2016 at St. Paul's United Church, 454 Rebecca Street, Oakville at 11 a.m. In Jean's memory donations may be made to St. Paul's United Church Memorial Fund or Ian Anderson House, Oakville. You may sign our guestbook at www.koprivataylor.com.
Saturday, January 06, 2018
Another Beautiful Obituary
With great sadness we announce the peaceful passing of NAME in the early hours of _____ at ____ hospital, after a short illness at (hospital).
Re-united with the love of his life from age ___, (name) who predeceased him in ___. They shared many wonderful years together enjoying the company of their family and many friends. ____ and ____ especially enjoyed their yearly trip to ____. He was very happy to return to ____ in the last couple of years with his daughter (name) and her family to rekindle those fond memories.
Beloved father of (name) and (name), and (name). Proud grandfather of (name). Cherished great-grandfather of (name). Loving brother of (names). He will be sadly missed by his many nieces and nephews.
NAME was a loyal, longtime employee of ___ for ___ years. He was highly regarded by his colleagues and those who worked with him. NAME was especially proud of the contributions that he made to help advance the ____ process, including receiving the *** award in (year) from the (association). He retired in (year) as (position) in (department). NAME was an avid golfer and was a member of (golf club) for almost 50 years. He enjoyed many annual trips with his son (name) to (place) to golf and then to the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia to see the best players in the world play a game that he was never quite able to master but continued to try to improve on until his late 80's.
NAME was a very wise but humble man who always thought of others before himself. His positive outlook on life served him well until the very end. His wonderful legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of his family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Re-united with the love of his life from age ___, (name) who predeceased him in ___. They shared many wonderful years together enjoying the company of their family and many friends. ____ and ____ especially enjoyed their yearly trip to ____. He was very happy to return to ____ in the last couple of years with his daughter (name) and her family to rekindle those fond memories.
Beloved father of (name) and (name), and (name). Proud grandfather of (name). Cherished great-grandfather of (name). Loving brother of (names). He will be sadly missed by his many nieces and nephews.
NAME was a loyal, longtime employee of ___ for ___ years. He was highly regarded by his colleagues and those who worked with him. NAME was especially proud of the contributions that he made to help advance the ____ process, including receiving the *** award in (year) from the (association). He retired in (year) as (position) in (department). NAME was an avid golfer and was a member of (golf club) for almost 50 years. He enjoyed many annual trips with his son (name) to (place) to golf and then to the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Georgia to see the best players in the world play a game that he was never quite able to master but continued to try to improve on until his late 80's.
NAME was a very wise but humble man who always thought of others before himself. His positive outlook on life served him well until the very end. His wonderful legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of his family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
When I come to the end of the road, and the sun is set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room, why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little, but not too much and not with your head held low.
Remember the joy and laughter we shared, and lovingly let me go.
A Beautiful Obituary
Surround and celebrated by her family as she took her last proud breath to Vera Lynn's I'll Be Seeing You, -- (nee --) left us on [date] at [location] in [town].
A force of life, love of family and laughter, -- was in her -- year, living the final -- happily in her home of -- years with her adoring husband of -- years
She will always be held proudly and preciously in the hearts of her -- sons and daughter and their families; .... [names]
-- was a writer, a painter, a dancer and carried memories of her beloved town of -- and her favourite -- with her every day.
She came to -- during the incredible decade of --, was working at -- when -- happened. She loved dancing with the airmen. It was at one of those that she me her husband, --. The excitement and pride that permeated -- during the decades of -- never left her, leading her family to believe that her first stop would be with -- at a dance at the Royal connaught.
Our mother was fun and loved to entertain and revelled in making everyone laugh. She was singing, teasing and flirting with her doctor, the great staff at Victoria House, to the moment when she began her final journey Tuesday afternoon.
The family hopes Dr. --, the staff of -- Hospital, the staff of -- her faithful friends and particularly the staff of --for ensuring she could stay in her home, with her cat Maggie, all these years, realize how truly grateful and honoured the family is that they all played such an essential role in our mother's life.
In lieu of flowers, our mother asked only that anyone reading this and remember her do something special today to show your family how much you love them.
And, go to a Ticat game in 2017.
A force of life, love of family and laughter, -- was in her -- year, living the final -- happily in her home of -- years with her adoring husband of -- years
She will always be held proudly and preciously in the hearts of her -- sons and daughter and their families; .... [names]
-- was a writer, a painter, a dancer and carried memories of her beloved town of -- and her favourite -- with her every day.
She came to -- during the incredible decade of --, was working at -- when -- happened. She loved dancing with the airmen. It was at one of those that she me her husband, --. The excitement and pride that permeated -- during the decades of -- never left her, leading her family to believe that her first stop would be with -- at a dance at the Royal connaught.
Our mother was fun and loved to entertain and revelled in making everyone laugh. She was singing, teasing and flirting with her doctor, the great staff at Victoria House, to the moment when she began her final journey Tuesday afternoon.
The family hopes Dr. --, the staff of -- Hospital, the staff of -- her faithful friends and particularly the staff of --for ensuring she could stay in her home, with her cat Maggie, all these years, realize how truly grateful and honoured the family is that they all played such an essential role in our mother's life.
In lieu of flowers, our mother asked only that anyone reading this and remember her do something special today to show your family how much you love them.
And, go to a Ticat game in 2017.
Some of my Brown Cousins in BC
This was posted on Facebook a few days ago, Christmas 2017.
 |
| Left to right: Janice (Montforton), Karen, Bill, Kirk, Bob, Kim (Guthrie) |
Here's an older photo to compare!
 |
| Back row: ? (uncle Mac's sister?), Grampa Brown, Aunt Lorraine, Dad (Ron), Gramma Brown, Janice, Bill, Keith, Auntie Dot, Bob Houston, Uncle Bob. Middle Row: Gramma Houston, Arlene, Doug, Mom (Jean), Gerry, Karen. Front row (kneeling): Glen, David (Wil), Kim |
Friday, November 03, 2017
A Special Day To Remember Mom: April 9, 2017
The love, affection, and commitment that my mom showed to God through her faithful service in the St. Paul's Choir was not lost on the choir, nor on the church leadership. So, it was a wonderful thing to learn that they wanted to commemorate mom by having a special performance of a song dedicated to her this Palm Sunday. The date is April 9, which happens to be mom and dad's anniversary date. This would have been their 62nd anniversary.
Mom was a member of the choir as long as she was able to get herself to Thursday night rehearsals. From the first days upon arriving in Oakville back in 1969, mom and dad were in the choir.
Mom was a member of the choir as long as she was able to get herself to Thursday night rehearsals. From the first days upon arriving in Oakville back in 1969, mom and dad were in the choir.
I'm From ... chapter 3
I'm from ABBA.
You have no idea what this band means to me, not just because of the great music they created, but because of the way the group's music anchors me in the 70s.
I'm from the grade 8 dance where ABBA played and I was afraid to ask someone.
I'm from SOS.
I'm Dancing Queen.
I'm from singing along to the chorus. And from those cool background lines, and the smooth harmonies, and the crystal clear vocals that sound as beautiful as the women who sang them.
I'm from excellent production combined with musical genius.
I'm from Sweden and I've never been there.
You have no idea what this band means to me, not just because of the great music they created, but because of the way the group's music anchors me in the 70s.
I'm from the grade 8 dance where ABBA played and I was afraid to ask someone.
I'm from SOS.
I'm Dancing Queen.
I'm from singing along to the chorus. And from those cool background lines, and the smooth harmonies, and the crystal clear vocals that sound as beautiful as the women who sang them.
I'm from excellent production combined with musical genius.
I'm from Sweden and I've never been there.
Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing
Thanks for all the joy they're bringing
Who can live without it? I ask in all honesty
What will I be
Without a song or a dance, what are we?
So I say thank you for the music
For giving it to me
 |
Anni-frid
Benny
Björn
Agnetha
|
Tell me please, 'cause I have to know
I'm a bashful child, beginning to grow
And you make me talk
And you make me feel
And you make me show
What I'm trying to conceal
If I trust in you, would you let me down?
Would you laugh at me, if I said I care for you?
Could you feel the same way too?
I wanna know
Oh yes I wanna know
The name of the game (I was an impossible case)
Does it mean anything to you? (But I think I can see in your face)
(That it means a lot)
What's the name of the game? (Your smile and the sound of your voice)
Can you feel it the way I do? (Got a feeling you give me no choice)
(But it means a lot)
What's the name of the game? (I was an impossible case)
Does it mean anything to you? (But I think I can see in your face)
(That it means a lot)
I'm a bashful child, beginning to grow
And you make me talk
And you make me feel
And you make me show
What I'm trying to conceal
If I trust in you, would you let me down?
Would you laugh at me, if I said I care for you?
Could you feel the same way too?
I wanna know
Oh yes I wanna know
The name of the game (I was an impossible case)
Does it mean anything to you? (But I think I can see in your face)
(That it means a lot)
What's the name of the game? (Your smile and the sound of your voice)
Can you feel it the way I do? (Got a feeling you give me no choice)
(But it means a lot)
What's the name of the game? (I was an impossible case)
Does it mean anything to you? (But I think I can see in your face)
(That it means a lot)
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
For Mom, Six Months After She Left Us - With Photos from Family Album
When I was a very small kid my favorite person in the world was my Mom. She always had time for a hug. If my face was dirty she licked a kleenex and wiped my face; she brushed my clothes off; she told me everything I was supposed to do. She wrangled me and my four siblings like a pro.
I could always have Mom’s attention if I asked for it. But she was busy doing things to look after the family, doing household chores, so I learned about what being hard at work means from her. Mom didn’t have a lot to give us as kids, but she gave us everything she could, especially her watchful care and attention.
Mom lived a full life and now that life finally caught up with her and she has been gone for six months, I still don’t know how to say goodbye. I’m sorry that things got so hard in the last year she was alive. That invisible cancer shut her body down pretty quickly. I know she hurt a lot in the last few weeks. I can’t imagine the aches and pains Mom covered with a brave face as she struggled along with her cane.
I'm glad that in October 2016, when Mom had less than two months left, we were able to go and play some music for Mom and Dad at Palermo Village.
I feel the loss the most when I think of how much Mom loved to see what Olivia, Ian, and Elinor were accomplishing. Mom's approval and happiness was always the sweetest part of having her around. So it was a sad time when Ian graduated from Mohawk College and Mom wasn’t there. She didn’t hear the beautiful music Ian invented and performed, but she was all around us in the moment just the same. She was in every note he played, and she still is. I was sad in the same way when Elinor won her wrestling gold medal at OFSSA and Mom wasn’t there to hear about it. And then Elinor graduated from high school and she wasn’t there to see how beautiful and happy that day was for us all. But she was all around us just the same.
I feel the loss when I think about how much Dad misses not having all of these Moments to share with Mom too.
Now that Mom’s ashes are buried in Oakville, we can go and visit the spot and it will help us remember. A couple of weeks ago when we gathered as a family and put Mom’s ashes in the ground, there was a certain numbness. Not yet. Mom is still with us in so many ways. We feel her presence in our thoughts and in our hopes and dreams. So I need to say it and try to explain it. Mom is and always will be the beauty in the sound of every chirping bird and setting sun, and when those are gone, I’ll continue to see her in each friendly smile and good deed I see.
Mom will always be the woman who in a Moment of joy sings a happy tune and turns to one of her children and encourages them to sing along. A popsicle, a cookie, a swim somewhere – anywhere – a vacation to a faraway place as a whole family! Those special treats and family times meant so much extra work for her, but they were the very very best she could give us, and we are a well-glued family because of it.
She was the constant companion to her husband and five children who couldn’t possibly be luckier to have her. She was able to enjoy the accomplishments of her many grandchildren in hundreds of ways. They were an incredible source of joy to her! She will be missed very much when the great-grandchildren begin to arrive. She would be smack-down proud. I feel sad thinking about how Mom will not be able to see them. But her love is all around them, forever.
Mom is a kitchen, morning, noon and especially late at night. She is there when you wake with pancakes, or cereal, toast and a muffin with jam, and plans for the day. She is the call on the garage intercom reminding you to come in for the snack you didn’t know you needed. She is homemade raisin and sugar cookies. She is a cup of tea with friends.
Mom is the friendly face who visits in the hospital, and welcomed the stranger to our holiday table.
Mom will always be the breath of hope and constant, quiet approval. I will always find her on family camping trips through the mountains and prairies with picnic stops along the way. She’ll be there getting out the sandwiches and cold drinks served in that funny cooler with the squishy ball on top. She’ll say, “These darn flies” as she bats and shoos them away from our food.
She’ll be at the kitchen centre, that big white box with the detachable legs, which when removed from the tongue of the tent trailer and set up in its efficient glory would become a countertop with all the space and accoutrements of home. From there she will cook the bacon and eggs on the Coleman stove, grill the pancakes, make the toast, and heat the water for the dishwashing. She’ll stop only for a few moments to relax. She might take up a magazine for a moment, but mostly she’ll just be keeping an eye out for what everyone is doing, and then shoo us away to "go and play" so we wouldn't be in her way while she tidied up.
But most of all, Mom is Mom and there will never be another like her. As much as many things remind me of her, there is nothing that compares, not fully, so I’ll keep looking to find her because without her the Christmas lights aren’t bright enough, the sun isn’t warm enough and no amount of personal friendship is quite as meaningful without her approving smile upon it.
Oh, you constant sunshine, you mirror of what is right in the world, you quiet source of contentment and service, my wonderful and devoted mother, I hope you know how very much we love you and how painful it is to miss having you around.
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