Friends That Surprised Us

Beauty greeted us upon our return. 

On the Way Home

We made our way home today.

Ethan and Doug cleaned the bugs off the windshield.

We stopped at Tully to search for fossils, knowing we were almost home.

Rest In Peace Uncle Ken

It was a beautiful funeral today. There were many people sharing wonderful stories of my Uncle Ken. He was well loved.

I wore my mom's locket since she couldn't be there. Inside the locket is a picture of her and my uncle's mom and dad. With my son at my side, I could feel the connection of many generations.

Ethan looking very handsome.

My mom's locket.  It was her mom's.  Her name was May.

Doug reflecting before we headed out.

Project to Celebrate Diversity and Promote Anti-Oppression

I have this idea that I would like to invite anyone reading here who believes in diversity and anti-oppression to participate in.  I want to weave our lives together to show our collective strength.  If you want to help me, follow this link.

I will need your submission as soon as you can get them to me, due to the short time frame of the project. You support is greatly admired and appreciated!

Visit

Dying brings departure and reunion.  Below are some photos from my recent visit to Montreal where my uncle Ken (80 years young) concludes his battle with cancer.

We took Uncle Ken's daughter, Laura, out for dinner.  Before Laura joined us, my mom and brother sat together in the booth across from me.  They were tired and reflective from their long journey back to the city they were both born in, but it was sweet to see them sitting together.

I think my Uncle Ken would have been disappointed if we hadn't indulged in the world famous Montreal smoked meat sandwich.  My brother, mom and I all enjoyed this deli special.

Most of my family is from Montreal.  I have fond memories of visiting family here.  One of the foremost is visiting Aunt Lina and Uncle Alan's traditional Quebec walkup residence in Verdun. Uncle Alan passed eight years ago, but Aunt Lina still lives in the house that reminds me most of my childhood visits to Quebec.  In this photo my brother, mom and Aunt Lina stand together between reminiscings about my Uncle Ken.

Aunt Lina surprised us with photos from my mom's long distant past.  Many of the photos were from before she was born, but were of people that she was very close to--her mom and dad among them.  I was captivated by the poses and content of the photos.  I didn't know the people.  I never have.  I did, however, greatly enjoy the stories and witnessing their proud attachment to their own history.

On my way back to my own home, I was struck by the many buildings left to the elements.  In my mind I kept thinking that every day and every thing on Earth has a dawn and a dusk.  A beginning and and ending.  A birth, a weathering, a fall, and a return.  

So it is with loved ones.  Cherish them.