Shoe Debacle

Last Saturday we arrived a few minutes early for my Grandpa’s burial at the old Fletwood church.  As we were getting the kids out of the car, we noticed that we had just carried them to the car and left their shoes waiting by the door at home in Regina.   dang.  We carried the boys through the burial service (which might have been better than them running around anyway) then Natasha & James were nice enough to track down a couple pairs that the boys could wear for the evening.  Sunday Auntie Nicole brought our shoes down from Regina – and we proceeded to leave them at the school while everyone moved over to the town hall for lunch.  Once again Nicole came through for us as she broke into the school and secured the shoes once more.  We were just pulling out of Kipling when Tara realized that we had forgotten to return the borrowed footwear to Natasha.  It was weekend of shoe debacle.

September/October 2009

√  New job

√  New city

√   New house

√  Exterminator for bugs in new house

√  Appendix surgery

√  Grandpa McMillan passes away

√  Swine flu for the family? (some sort of flu anyway)

yep, that’s enough for me over the past 2 months.

Grandpa Thoughts

From my Dad’s emails:

October 19, 2009:

Dad passed through the gate just before 3 PM this afternoon. He experienced some agitation this morning but in the afternoon it was just like he faded gently away. We are so blessed.
We are considering a Sunday 2 PM funeral service in Kennedy.
More later.

October 21, 2009:

Funeral Arrangements For William John McMillan (25 Jan 1914 – 19 Oct 2009) 
Saturday 3 PM Family Interment Service at Fletwode
Sunday 3 PM Memorial Service at Kennedy School gymnasium
Officiants: Rolland Bouchard & Bob Parker

I’d like to write out something more organized and poetic, but I’m thinking it just won’t happen.  Here’s some random thoughts and notes about the last week and about my Grandpa McMillan:

• His was a life well lived.
• Significant Memories from Monday as I had the privilege of being with Grandpa on his last day:
  • Seeing his two oldest sons tenderly care for him.  One image in my head is of my Uncle Glen’s big strong hands gently holding Grandpa’s, a really deep moment.
  • Watching his daughter in law’s by his side, a deep love was evident – they loved him, and had no doubt about his love and approval for them.
  • Having cousin Jason be there in the circle – not a grand child by blood, but there was just no doubt he was one of Grandpa’s kids – accepted and loved openly and completely- exactly like me.
  • holding hands right after Grandpa’s last breath, with a circle of about 8 while my Dad led a prayer of thankfulness.  I was thinking about how big that circle could have been if all those influenced by his frienship were included.
• Grandpa shared his approval for his family liberally – you didn’t have to chase it – I think he was more & more vocal about this as he grew older.
• Grandpa was in lots of ways unremarkable I suppose – as far as things like career, cash or leadership goes – but as Steve says, I think he really was exceptional when it came to relationships.  The best example of this was the fact he stay married to and friends with Grandma for 72 years, but there are many others.
• As Uncle Dave said at one point this weekend – Grandpa was gentler at 95 than he was at 50 or 60, that’s a really neat statement.  He likely still held strong opinions, but he seemed to share them less, worrying about other things I guess.
• He lived out sacfificial generosity, and I think he was blessed because of it.
• 72 years of marriage – a long lifetime – is still mind boggling to me.

I’ll toss these thoughts out there, and maybe add to them later.

Music by Northcote

Matt Goud has a new name and some new music here.  Great stuff.

Far Side Banks fo Jordan

I love it when my Uncle Dave & Aunt Heather sing this song – and Johnny & June did an okay version too .  We sang it this past weekend before my Grandpa was buried – I wasn’t able to sing much, but it was very meaningful.  Grandma had requested it.  After 72 years married what would these words mean?  I don’t know.

I believe my steps are growing wearier each day
Still I’ve got a journey on my mind
Lures of this old world have ceased to make me wanna stay
And my one regret is leaving you behind.

And I’ll be waiting on the far side banks of Jordan
I’ll be waiting drawing pictures in the sand
And when I see you coming I will rise up with the shout
And come running through he shallow waters reaching for your hand.

Through this life we’ve labored hard to earn our meager fare
It’s brought us trembling hands and failing eyes
I’ll just rest here on this shore and turn my eyes away
Until you come then we’ll see paradise.

If it proves to be his will that I am first to go
And somehow I’ll be feeling it will be
When it comes your times to travel like wise don’t feel lost
For I will be the first one that you’ll see.

Grandpa Tribute by Harmony

Mini Zonkey?

I thought of Brianne when I saw this… she sure likes Mini Donkeys, maybe someday she can get a mini zonkey.

From Wikipedia…

A zonkey (also known as zebrass, zebronkey, zeass, zeedonk, zedonk, zebadonk, zenkey, donbra, donbri, donkra, zebrinny, or deebra, zebrula) is a cross between a zebra and a donkey. The generic name for crosses between zebras and horses or asses is zebroid or zebra mule. “Zonkey” is not the technically correct name for such a cross. The most commonly accepted terms are zebrinny, zebrula, and zedonk. Donkeys are closely related to zebras and both animals belong to the horse family. Zonkeys are very rare.^[1]

Sporting News’ NHL Player of the Decade: Nicklas Lidstrom, D, Red Wings

Here’s the story and the stats.

Wish I knew this before

Update

• enjoying Regina -slowly getting used to all the changes
• moving in to our new house October 2nd (Help us move October 3rd?) – getting settled in there will be nice
• officially sold our house to Jeremy – hope it doesn’t fall down anytime soon.
• Bernard’s house has been such a gift for us as we wait – makes us feel as “at home” as possible I think.
• connecting with lots of good friends again – this is great but has made it feel a bit busy at times.
• work is good – so much to learn about the business process, but it’s good, I’m getting there slowly.
• off to Glen Elm church retreat this weekend, looking forward to it.
• Elijah’s in preschool and loving it.
• Michael is in t-ball and loving it (the one time he went).  I had to go to a company golf tournament, but apparently his cheering section of 2 cousins, 2 grandparents, 2 aunts, 1 older brother, 1 mother and a Korean exchange student was the largest in the gym.  Reports say he was by far the best player as well…  (of course says Grandpa Laliberte!)
• Tara starts work next week – 2 shifts a week – she has found lots to do but that might help make things seem more normal.
• last night Auntie Harm stopped by for a quick visit with a present for Michael – his very own ball glove (she bought Elijah his a few years ago) – made him feel very special.  This is one huge reason why I moved here… thanks harm.