Christmas Review

A lovely weekend, all in all.

There were games, skating, babies, food. Lots of food.

There were presents, laughter, puzzles, food. Lots of food.

I am so thankful I have a family that makes these long days of holidaying fun.

I ache for Sandy, knowing he is gone, knowing that I'll need to return to work without him.

Life is so weird sometimes. Happy and Sad. Joy and Grief. Loss and Heartache and Peace and Laughter.

Occurred to me...

that perhaps because he "wasn't much for religion," that Sandy did such a good job of exemplifying Jesus to me.

Duh.

Fare thee well, my friend...

Since I began my work at IFC, there has been one constant in my life.

Sandy.

He was there, waiting for me every morning. In fact, I got him keys to the centre when it became clear to me that he would wait patiently outside, sometimes for over an hour, even on cold winter days.

It wasn't that I was late to work. It was that he would come so very early.

I have learned this about ex-cons. They often don't sleep very well. And they never sleep in.

But I don't want you to think of Sandy as an ex-con. He was so much more than that.

He made me coffee every morning. It was so strong it took me a while before I could drink a cup down to the bottom. And I'm a good Dutch girl, used to the black stuff.

He called me "Darlin'," and meant it.

He made sure I ate breakfast. He bossed me about working less. He told me who I had to keep an eye on in the neighbourhood and who was okay. He noticed when things were amiss, out of order, suspicious. Every day he went to the back yard to pick up the paper. He remembered garbage day. In good weather, he sat on the bench outside the centre for hours. People would stop by to talk for 5 minutes or for an hour--it was all the same to him. He thought I was silly for wanting to pick up litter in the neighbourhood, but then proudly told everyone about the 'crazy white woman' he worked with. Once in a while he would burst into song--usually a little east coast shanty, maybe a bit of Johnny Cash. He had the sweetest voice.

I depended on him.  More than anyone else, he helped me do my job.

And yesterday, he didn't show up. Something was amiss.

By the time we got into his suite, it was apparent he had passed away sometime the night before. It looked like he was napping on his couch. Peacefully.

Sandy was an orphan. No living relatives that he knew of. He had one son whom he loved to distraction, and one grandson who he loved even more. He was gentle with women and babies. He was always 'safe' in a world where men are often not so safe for women. He had little patience for people who were rude, unkind, hypocritical, or fake in any way.

He loved bacon and eggs, dark chocolate, french fries, jam buster donuts, fish. I always wanted to buy him one of those Costco-sized cans of salmon, because he loved it so much.  Last Christmas, he gave me a kielbassa. It meant so much to me. A $10 sausage is a lot of  money when you are on an old age pension.

He always told me he wasn't much for religion, but he offered me the kind of love that the bible talks about. He showed me the love of Jesus. He made me feel special, cherished, cared for. He reflected the love of a Father-god.

I'm pretty sure there is a bench for him in heaven, where he can sit outside and smoke (because of course it is not bad for you, addictive or smelly in heaven). He will observe the goings-on. He'll know who is supposed to go where, and at what time. He'll dispense his wisdom in folksy sayings. He'll bounce the babies. He'll make people laugh.

And after a difficult, challenging and sometimes lonely life here on earth, he will have peace.

Here you go, Mom

Click on the links, soon! I think they are only available for 7 days.

First, we were broken into. Then newspaper wrote an article.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/wfpfeatured/theft-dashes-family-centres-plan-to-have-reading-centre-135564858.html

Then, CBC Radio interviewed me.

http://www.cbc.ca/inforadio/2011/12/14/a-simple-little-dream/ (I hope you have speakers on your computer!)

Then, the newspaper did an update.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/spirit-of-giving-thrives-after-toys-books-stolen-135643608.html

And so did CBC.

http://www.cbc.ca/inforadio/2011/12/16/update---a-simple-little-dream/

One other radio station and a few television news teams did some stuff, too, but there are no online links to that.

Enjoy!

Sleepy Sunday Morning

Harmony woke up around 6 this morning, and after Rob fed her, she came to snuggle in our bed for a while. She fell asleep again and then Rob brought me the most delicious cup of coffee ever.

I don't know what chemistry conspired to make it taste so good, but it's perfect in every way.

And so now I have a sleeping baby and a great cup of coffee and it strikes me that it doesn't take much to be in the moment and enjoy these times of great contentedness.

I'm also feeling content because we had such a nice night last night. Nothing spectacular, but nice.

The Jets won.
Joey and Micah were out with friends. I didn't get to meet Micah's friends, but I really like the boys Joey is hanging out with.
We had a nice visit with Wes and Linda.
Harmony was up past her bedtime and so content and cute. Usually she is in bed by 8 pm and cranky for the last 45 minutes or so. Last night she was up until 10 and said "good night" smiling.
We have a flight voucher that we are using up after Christmas. Have to fly in the States, and from Minneapolis, so it's a bit of work to redeem it but we are going to spend some time in Alabama(!) and Florida. If we are really ambitious we just might go west to New Orleans, as well.

I know it's silly that I am happy when the Jets win... who would have thought I'd be watching hockey? But when 3/4 of your family really cares, you kinda get caught up in the excitement. It's more fun to care than to resist caring.

One great bit of family news is that Rob will be doing a PhD, starting in January. Natural Systems Agriculture. Makes us sound soooo granola. I love it that he is interested and excited and has such a great opportunity.

More reason to be content.

Music to a Mother's Ears

"The only reason I didn't text you to tell you I was in a Wade Davis lecture was because I was in a Wade Davis lecture."