Parkinson’s has robbed my Dad of many things. He shuffles when he walks and sometimes loses his balance so he has to be watched carefully when he moves. His arms don’t always do what he tells them. He looks smaller than he used to. He’s fragile. …
This week, Derek’s beloved Auntie Barb died just four months shy of her 96th birthday. She was Derek’s Dad’s older sister who worked for 40 years at BMO and looked after her Mother, Derek’s Gram.  She lived as a single lady, although she had many friends and suitors. …
It’s my Mom’s birthday today! …
I used to wish I had a sister. Not instead of my brother, but in addition to him. Sisters seemed to share an intuitiveness. And their clothes. But my parents never came through for me! …
My Little Sister Tabitha, gave birth to a daughter late last week, making me a “Gamma” for a second time. Vienna was 7 lbs., 5 ounces, and perfect. She also set a family record for length of time spent in hospital for a birth. They checked in at about 11 am and were home, baby in arms, by 4:15 pm. …
The idea was to create a bunch of little events throughout the year because it’s a milestone birthday-year for Derek. It began with the trip to Iceland. And I haven’t thought of how it will end, yet. (I’m open to ideas!) But here in the middle, his daughter was going to come from Nova Scotia for a surprise visit. …
Yesterday was my brother’s birthday. I call him my baby brother because he’s 20 months younger than me, but about a foot-and-a-half taller. It amuses me to call him that, while looking straight up to make eye contact with him. …
Throwback Thursday – Baby Brother’s Big AdventureRead More »
Whether you count the day after Mother’s Day, or May 11th as the anniversary, it’s been one year since Lauren Davis Shirakawa didn’t wake up from her sleep.
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My last post of the year is usually about accomplishments, goals not yet met and hopes for the days after the calendar flips over. But this year was dominated by an unexpected occurrence in May. The inexplicable loss of our young friend, Lauren Davis Shirakawa, and how her passing has forever changed the lives of our dear friends, her parents, and therefore our lives as well. …
A guy in the US placed a Craigslist ad before US Thanksgiving and offered his services as a date to family dinner. The twist? In exchange for the free meal, he would intentionally ruin the day. …
Derek’s Dad was just 21 in 1943 when he answered the call to fight in WWII.Â
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Five years ago, most of my family, hubby and I returned to my Dad’s hometown area of Picton ON for a community pancake breakfast. …
The question of right and wrong has come up in so many different issues in the past couple of weeks. Â I don’t even understand the question. The answer, to me, is crystal clear. We need to decide on morals as a society. Not based on any religious-based book or perspective of some small group on the fringe, but as human beings who know, in their hearts, the differences between right and wrong. Â …
It was purely coincidental that I had just been to see some majestic lions and other beautiful African creatures when Cecil the lion was brutally killed by the most hated dentist in the world. I joined my Little Sister Tabitha, her partner Nick and their son – my grandson – Ryker, on a beautiful sunny day at African Lion Safari. …
Like a hunted wildebeast or the elusive sasquatch, capturing a two-year-old in the wilds of his own birthday party is not for the easily fatigued. …
Today I’m attending the sad goodbye for Lauren Davis and I’ve been asked to read a poem during the service. …
As I write these words, I’m aware I am still in shock. Lauren Davis, the beautiful, talented, quick-witted and so very young daughter of Erin Davis, died unexpectedly overnight Sunday. Just hours before, she had celebrated her first Mother’s Day and on Facebook, her smiling face greeted the world as she showed off her coconut necklace. That’s little Colin’s nickname: Coconut. …
I’ll be honest. I start to lose interest once you have five or six kids. Until that point I’ll feel genuine delight for you. But once you’ve made a starting lineup for the Blue Jays, I’m not so excited. …