This is my tribute to Geoff and to my Dad. It is late because of course, we were busy celebrating!
Geoff and I have had our share of parenting wonder and conflict and fatigue and all those steps that one has to take to learn to trust and rely on each other. I knew when I met him that he would be a good father. And a good balance to my nature. Who else would kept me steady and on track when faced with major challenges affecting the whole family? I tend to jump into "dealing with crisis". Geoff keeps the big picture in mind - "where do we want to be in 20 years as a family?" Plus he is a veritable fountain of entertaining or useful talents - origami, dog training, general fixit and computer support, camping and canoe mastery, recorder playing (gorgeous tone), indoor and outdoor gardening - the list goes on. I really hope our kids are picking up Geoff's curiosity and capacity to follow his passions.
And my dear Dad: I am so grateful for your constant love and gentleness and attentiveness. All the family outings and camping holidays, the chauffeur duty to piano lessons, your quiet presence at the kitchen table as we tested our opinions about life and values or just plain argued. Your steadfast grip on what really matters: your love and loyalty to mum, your pleasure in music, especially Big Band, and of course, the CBC.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Saturday June 4: Grateful for friends and family
We've had quite the week: Geoff started out his plan to spend more time at home by putting his back out accidentally, which included a trip by ambulance to the Carleton Queensway Hospital Emergency department. He is now resting at home, with strong medication, and trying to walk a bit and do light exercises. Ada also had a calamity - she fell badly on a sidewalk in Montreal last weekend and broke her clavicle - so she is in a sling and in pain. I am more or less OK, using a cane around the house and a wheelchair for distance, and getting massage treatments for the lymphadema that is causing swelling and pain in my left leg. I am a bit whacked from chemo this weekend. This leaves Franck as the only healthy human in a house full of gimps!
Friends and family have come through in spades. I had a wonderful, cheering visit with Robin Pike from Sidney, BC. Greg Golding picked up Geoff from the hospital. Kurt Walther spent a whole day cooking up food for days. Eshete and Yige Hailu brought lunch and soups and helped drive me to appointments. Others have called or sent supportive emails. My cousin Linda arrives today and knowing her, will be pitching in whole heartedly and will keep us laughing. Mum and Dad sent a joint email - this is a breakthrough for Dad!
We are so fortunate to have the network we have here in Ottawa and elsewhere. I am feeling the grace and kindness of our friends and family very deeply these days. Some of you have heard this metaphor from me before - I think of you all as a giant trampoline - that I can bounce off, have fun with or lie down and rest on if I need to, where I feel safe just being myself. So grateful for all of you.
Love
Robin
PS The potatoes are up, also my first planting of beans, lettuce, swiss chard, snap peas. Both squashes and the zucchini are up. The cherry tomatoes are thriving. I need more herbs. Life, in all its promise and beauty goes on and sears my heart.
Friends and family have come through in spades. I had a wonderful, cheering visit with Robin Pike from Sidney, BC. Greg Golding picked up Geoff from the hospital. Kurt Walther spent a whole day cooking up food for days. Eshete and Yige Hailu brought lunch and soups and helped drive me to appointments. Others have called or sent supportive emails. My cousin Linda arrives today and knowing her, will be pitching in whole heartedly and will keep us laughing. Mum and Dad sent a joint email - this is a breakthrough for Dad!
We are so fortunate to have the network we have here in Ottawa and elsewhere. I am feeling the grace and kindness of our friends and family very deeply these days. Some of you have heard this metaphor from me before - I think of you all as a giant trampoline - that I can bounce off, have fun with or lie down and rest on if I need to, where I feel safe just being myself. So grateful for all of you.
Love
Robin
PS The potatoes are up, also my first planting of beans, lettuce, swiss chard, snap peas. Both squashes and the zucchini are up. The cherry tomatoes are thriving. I need more herbs. Life, in all its promise and beauty goes on and sears my heart.