Love, Hope, Optimism
I type this entry under shade thrown by sage-like trees that predate my birth and will also succeed me. I listen to the murmur of the Bow River
One such gift occurred on August 5th, the 84th birthday of Riley’s grandfather. Determined to celebrate with his beloved grandpa, Riley endured the trip to the Foothills hospital despite his own pain and discomfort. Although an arduous journey, Riley wanted to be certain that he had the opportunity to visit his grandpa in case Lawrence
Decked out in his favorite purple vest (always up for a party), Riley’s grandpa was wheeled into the hospital chapel for a tearful and joyous conversation with Riley. Wheelchair to wheelchair they leaned towards one another in what can only be described as the reunion of two “long lost friends”. Other than a brief heartfelt visit recently with his best friend Austin, Riley described the time with his grandfather as among his happiest moments of the year!
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"Heart to Heart"  |
Sadly, the above reunion was to be Riley’s last, as Grandpa died peacefully, surrounded by family, on August 21st. He will be remembered as a gentle and unconditionally loving grandfather, who delighted in participating actively and witnessing the unfurling of his grandchildren’s lives. It seems like just yesterday he held Riley’s tiny hand and introduced him to each plant in his Victoria
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| Treasured memories with Grandpa in Victoria |
With the loss of his grandmother Evelyn (Christine's Mom) just over a year ago, Riley has now had to experience the passing of these two cherished grandparents while confined largely to his bed. Fortunately, he still has my mother Jacquie close by in Canmore and he will carry the spirit of his other grandparents “heart to heart” along his life’s journey. It would be fair to say that his grandparents' love and positive influence has been woven into the very fabric of his being. Riley has stated that he plans to honour their memory by the manner in which he lives his life.
click here to read Lawrence's Obituary
click here to read Lawrence's Obituary
With two deaths and Riley approaching his 18th birthday with no clear end to his suffering, one could easily conclude that we have had “more than our fair share” the past couple of years. Riley, however, despite his ongoing pain and weakness (cognitive improvements continue), reminds us almost daily that it could be worse and we have so much to be grateful for. On a hopeful day, we too are able to give thanks that Riley is slowly improving, and that friends and family continue to faithfully shoulder some of this burden with us.
Unable to participate in our usual family vacation this summer, Evan and I left Riley and Christine and joined our close friends the Habkes for several days of camping and hiking along the Icefields Parkway. Although difficult to leave Christine and Riley at home, it was uplifting to be in the familiar company of friends, to laugh out loud, and to allow ourselves to be humbled and awestruck in the presence of majestic, snow-capped peaks and robin-egg blue lakes.
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| Say YES to life!! Wilcox Pass- Jasper Icefields Parkway -August 2011 |
For the Fall, the plan is for Riley and Christine to remain in Calgary and to continue to work with the Lyme specialists in California
In closing, it seems both coincidental and inspiring that Jack Layton (a politician Riley’s grandpa admired and who died only hours after him) left all of us with the following challenge:
"My friends, love is better than anger.Hope is better than fear.Optimisim is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And together we’ll change the world."
Blessings to you all,
Terry and family
