I took this photo yesterday morning to show to my good friend. He loves to walk in gardens and work in gardens, but is stuck in bed on the 5th floor of the hospital. His view from his window looking at the Hospice building. Occasionally he will comment on his blessings….he has a single room,Continue reading “Final days”
Tag Archives: memories
Wandering
My cross country journey is over. I made it home a few days ago. This photo was taken while on the ferry to Vancouver Island. It took me 7 days to drive to the east coast, and over two months to drive home…with adventures along the way. I experienced amazing hospitality, incredible rainstorms, floods andContinue reading “Wandering”
Childhood
This beautiful photo is of my mother and her maternal grandfather, taken around 1938. Mom moved into a care home two days ago. We are sorting through her home, deciding what to keep in the family, what to give away and what to throw away. I have spent the past two nights in her emptyContinue reading “Childhood”
The Shape of Goodbye
The Isolation Journals prompt for this week is to “write a goodbye you wish you’d said, or need to say.” Over 34 years ago my little brother was lying in hospital, dying from cancer. I was living and working overseas, with 3 young children and a 4th on its way. My husband knew how muchContinue reading “The Shape of Goodbye”
Mourning rituals
Today marks one year since my father passed away. It has been a tough year in many ways, but also a good growing experience. I started thinking about the mourning rituals I observed and participated in while living in Thailand. When my father-in-law passed away we held several days of evening services and meals forContinue reading “Mourning rituals”
Breakwater chat
Normally I start walking, and just follow my feet, or take the direction with the fewest number of people, but today I had a strong desire to revisit the breakwater. Toffee used to take me there frequently on our walks. He loved to go in the direction of the ocean, and I usually followed hisContinue reading “Breakwater chat”
Lurking
It was a simple question, but I was unable to answer. It took all my strength to compose myself and still there was no way I could bring myself to voice his name. I have worked to erase him from my memory for years. Thanksgiving weekend, 21 years ago we were able to escape andContinue reading “Lurking”
Golden hour
The period of time before sunset is called “golden hour”. I didn’t know that until 5 minutes ago when I did a google search looking for the word to describe it. What did we do before internet? I remember the day when I was a pre-teen and the large set of World Book Encyclopedias arrivedContinue reading “Golden hour”
Vacation
Our final day on the east coast was spectacular! Not only did we spend time with friends, students (in town for their family reunion) and a colleague, we were taken on a boat ride around Pennant Cove. The seas were calm since the cove is protected by several islands and a peninsula. Being on thatContinue reading “Vacation”
Pure love
This evening I witnessed something that surprised and impressed me. My son-in-law is a tough guy to understand and relate to. He is very intelligent, with a law degree, but unable to find a job. He expects kindness and consideration from his wife but is unable to offer the same to her. We were eatingContinue reading “Pure love”
Reflections 