June 10

It is a beautiful morning. It was a nice day as well 23 years ago. I was riding on the bus to go home to see my dad as he was not doing well after his stroke. All the way there (3 hours or more) I kept thinking, he could be gone and I wouldn't even know it. The bus drove right past the hospital but I was unable to get off until it came to a stop at the bus terminal. My brother picked me up there and told me the news. Dad had passed away. Somewhere along that trip, he was gone. Was it while we drove through Ponoka? or Red Deer? maybe Olds or Innisfail? Perhaps just as I drove past the hospital, his spirit said goodbye? 

I had seen him on the weekend and this was Wednesday morning. He had hung on for quite a while. Perhaps it was the best thing for him to have slipped away before I arrived. I'm not sure I could have stood watching him leave me. I know he loved me. That's all that counts.

Miss you daddy...love you.

In your chair with Father's Day hat ~ E.R. Field ~ 

I have just returned from a visit with my brother and his wife in the States. "It was a delightful time. I was happy to just sit and relax by the pool side, chat over coffee and go for walks. Nothing too strenuous, "just enough".

It's funny, well, maybe more strange, that as kids you are 24-7 with your siblings for years on end! Then you 'fly the coop' and see each other occasionally - usually as you 'gather up' at the home residence of your parents on special events or holidays. You seldom get the opportunity to be together in the same way again in your life.

My visit, albeit short, was a bit like 'the old days'. Breakfast with my brother, lunch with my brother, supper with my brother. Watching t.v. together, talking together, having coffee together (something we didn't do growing up!!). Along with the time we spent alone 'catching up' I also was able to share with my sister-in-law special moments in time as well. It was a 'no pressure' few days of rest and relaxation, and a gentle reminder of family and friendship.

Enjoying a cup of java in the early morning sunshine

Time is short. It seemed like 'just yesterday' we were both growing up in our parents' home. As the bible says, "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes away." James 4:14. I do understand that it is important not to waste your 'short time' on earth but rather be productive and useful...but it was nice to sit and reminisce about our childhood together.

Lots of love being sent and thankfulness for a great time ...

Me and my brother