toffeereflection

Left behind

Many years ago, my daughter’s roommate left this beautiful vase behind when she moved out of our home. I loved it the first time I saw it, but because at that time it wasn’t mine, I could only look at it! Years after the roommate moved out, I tried to return it to her, butContinue reading “Left behind”

Science project

The first piano student this past Friday arrived to her lesson with her science project. I wanted to see her demonstrate her creation but we had too much work to do on her piano pieces. Teaching piano gives me a chance to peak into the lives of so many young, creative and curious children. ManyContinue reading “Science project”

Duck, duck, goose

Yesterday my friend convinced me to join her on a walk to the nearby park to feed the ducks. She would bring some bird seed, and she was very excited to show me her newly discovered hobby! Of course, the first thing I did was search for the city’s bylaws for restrictions on feeding wildContinue reading “Duck, duck, goose”

Simplify, simplify, simplify

When people walk into my living room they are presented with a music studio. I have a piano, an electric organ, a TV table with 4 boxes of music books in current use, and a desktop computer, a dining table covered with piles of books and papers, two chairs, no couch, no TV, no coffeeContinue reading “Simplify, simplify, simplify”

What we leave behind

My maternal grandmother, Hazel was a beautiful, talented and amazing woman. With her positive spirit she taught by example how to love while showing incredible patience and strength. When she died, at the age of 100, I was able to keep one of her three detailed maps that she had drawn in high school. MyContinue reading “What we leave behind”

Dad

I started writing this post on November 25, 2021, the day after Dad died. All I had was the title. This is what I want people to know about my dad. Today (June 24) would have been his 91st birthday. I haven’t decided yet how I would celebrate or honour his birthday. Last night IContinue reading “Dad”

Sucker punch

The physical pain was real. It was sudden, gut-wrenching and mixed with a tidal wave of emotions. Why did my sister have to mention his name in a random text, letting me know that he was at my grandmother’s funeral 24 year ago? Some things are better just left unsaid. The abuse started even beforeContinue reading “Sucker punch”

Revealing

The clock said 4:23. I don’t know if it was the cat crying outside that woke me, or the nightmare. That dream was vivid–and was the kind of dream that stays with me all day. The airport in my dream was crowded, although nothing even close to what I experienced on Boxing Day. I don’tContinue reading “Revealing”

Timing

November 24, 2021…..the day dad passed. One week ago today dad was in agony at the hospital. The 72-hour ward was over capacity, with many patients kept out in the hallways because not enough beds in rooms were available. Nurses often came 1 to 2 hours after being called. Medication was delayed so the painContinue reading “Timing”

Birds at the window

Each room here at Hospice House has a little bird feeder outside one of the windows. I noticed that birds were constantly at the feeder across the hall, in Michael’s old room. Dad’s feeder had no birds visiting at all until a few minutes ago. I wonder if he could hear the chirping. I wonderContinue reading “Birds at the window”