December 2017
Dear Family and Friends,
Vince always starts writing Christmas cards way before I’m ready, and I usually fill in the gaps, but this year, the time just got away from me. I’ve never written a Christmas letter before, but this year was extraordinary, to say the least! It began and ended with both great sorrows and great joy, and had more than its fair share of stresses and traumas, challenges and adventure along the way.
Losses
The year began with many trips back and forth to Mission, as my Dad’s life came to a close. I was very glad to be able to be there, at least sometimes, to help my brother in Dad’s final days. Of course, there are always hidden blessings: my brother and I became very close as we took care of him and wrapped up his affairs. I was glad that we were able to give him the send-off he would have wanted – most of his very large family and lots of his friends at a very simple tea, with a slide show, his sister Madeline singing a song, and his great-granddaughter Caitlin playing the harp. No religion – that was very important to him. We scattered his ashes at the rock we played on as kids, in the bush behind our childhood home in McConnell Creek. I miss him, a lot sometimes.
In November, my Auntie Germaine slipped away after a tough autumn with a broken hip, then a heart attack. As anyone who knew her will verify, she was a fighter but it all became too much in the end. Again, hidden blessings: my cousin Alan, her granddaughter Terri and I got to know each other during her final weeks. We are all looking forward to getting together early next year with Rosemarie and others who miss her, to share stories and raise a glass in her honour! She didn’t want a service but we think she will appreciate that, although probably not some of the stories we will tell! Her passing leaves a big hole in my heart.
Joys
In August, we travelled to Kitimat to watch our grandson wed the beautiful Alissa! It was a ceremony filled with joy, and we are all thrilled to welcome Alissa into our huge, crazy, wonderful family! Brother Robby and sister-in-law Dawn, as well as their daughter Lauren and her partner Stewart threw open their homes and more! And on November 2nd, our granddaughter Deleena gave birth to Oliver and Ivy – yes, that makes us great-grandparents! I was overjoyed to be able to visit them at home early this month and I was so wrapped up in them that I forgot to take pictures! All are doing well, including the proud parents Dee and Kevin!
Stesses and Trauma
If you were watching my Facebook over the summer, you know that we had a summer from hell! Henry and I left on July 15th while Vince stayed home to fight the fires and protect our home. It was very stressful being apart and worried about each other, with each of us working long hours. Again though, hidden blessings: We stayed at my brother Richard’s home in Prince George, and he and his wife Sharon spoiled us for about three weeks. I had a hot delicious supper in front of me when I got home every night no matter what time, and Henry took to napping on the couch with Sharon in the afternoon! Both Richard and Sharon helped evacuees in need while they were in Prince George.
Vince and I were very lucky as our home and community were spared from the fires. Some of them got pretty close, but with the efforts of our firefighters and other volunteers as well as some luck, they never really threatened us. We were under alert for a couple of weeks after we got home, and it was very smoky for a long while. Our reunion was somewhat bittersweet as our cat Cleo did not come home one day, and we eventually realized that she did not survive the fires. She was very old, and we hope that she had a peaceful end.
Adventure
In November, I flew to Maui for a week with my friend Margo. We had the best time, and I am already looking forward to the next time! The weather was not too hot, and we explored most of the island. People were welcoming and friendly, food was awesome, and we felt safe everywhere we went.
Holiday Season
We’re looking forward to a quiet Christmas with friends and community. We will attend the Christmas Eve service at our community hall. It will feel strange to be in the audience and not the choir this year because of my crazy schedule, but next year I will have time. We’ve been invited to good friends for dinner, and I am looking forward to several days of being lazy. We are also looking forward to ringing in the New Year with a community potluck dinner and dance at our community hall!
My stint in politics will end in 2018, and I am looking forward to a new chapter, and more adventures. Vince and I are hoping to get out more with our 5th wheel, and see more of our wonder family and friends. Our Jayden graduates in June, so there will be a trip to Fort McMurray for sure, and Michelle and I are traveling to Europe in July.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and the very best in 2018!
Love, Joan and Vince
Dear Family and Friends,
Vince always starts writing Christmas cards way before I’m ready, and I usually fill in the gaps, but this year, the time just got away from me. I’ve never written a Christmas letter before, but this year was extraordinary, to say the least! It began and ended with both great sorrows and great joy, and had more than its fair share of stresses and traumas, challenges and adventure along the way.
Losses
The year began with many trips back and forth to Mission, as my Dad’s life came to a close. I was very glad to be able to be there, at least sometimes, to help my brother in Dad’s final days. Of course, there are always hidden blessings: my brother and I became very close as we took care of him and wrapped up his affairs. I was glad that we were able to give him the send-off he would have wanted – most of his very large family and lots of his friends at a very simple tea, with a slide show, his sister Madeline singing a song, and his great-granddaughter Caitlin playing the harp. No religion – that was very important to him. We scattered his ashes at the rock we played on as kids, in the bush behind our childhood home in McConnell Creek. I miss him, a lot sometimes.
In November, my Auntie Germaine slipped away after a tough autumn with a broken hip, then a heart attack. As anyone who knew her will verify, she was a fighter but it all became too much in the end. Again, hidden blessings: my cousin Alan, her granddaughter Terri and I got to know each other during her final weeks. We are all looking forward to getting together early next year with Rosemarie and others who miss her, to share stories and raise a glass in her honour! She didn’t want a service but we think she will appreciate that, although probably not some of the stories we will tell! Her passing leaves a big hole in my heart.
Joys
In August, we travelled to Kitimat to watch our grandson wed the beautiful Alissa! It was a ceremony filled with joy, and we are all thrilled to welcome Alissa into our huge, crazy, wonderful family! Brother Robby and sister-in-law Dawn, as well as their daughter Lauren and her partner Stewart threw open their homes and more! And on November 2nd, our granddaughter Deleena gave birth to Oliver and Ivy – yes, that makes us great-grandparents! I was overjoyed to be able to visit them at home early this month and I was so wrapped up in them that I forgot to take pictures! All are doing well, including the proud parents Dee and Kevin!
Stesses and Trauma
If you were watching my Facebook over the summer, you know that we had a summer from hell! Henry and I left on July 15th while Vince stayed home to fight the fires and protect our home. It was very stressful being apart and worried about each other, with each of us working long hours. Again though, hidden blessings: We stayed at my brother Richard’s home in Prince George, and he and his wife Sharon spoiled us for about three weeks. I had a hot delicious supper in front of me when I got home every night no matter what time, and Henry took to napping on the couch with Sharon in the afternoon! Both Richard and Sharon helped evacuees in need while they were in Prince George.
Vince and I were very lucky as our home and community were spared from the fires. Some of them got pretty close, but with the efforts of our firefighters and other volunteers as well as some luck, they never really threatened us. We were under alert for a couple of weeks after we got home, and it was very smoky for a long while. Our reunion was somewhat bittersweet as our cat Cleo did not come home one day, and we eventually realized that she did not survive the fires. She was very old, and we hope that she had a peaceful end.
Adventure
In November, I flew to Maui for a week with my friend Margo. We had the best time, and I am already looking forward to the next time! The weather was not too hot, and we explored most of the island. People were welcoming and friendly, food was awesome, and we felt safe everywhere we went.
Holiday Season
We’re looking forward to a quiet Christmas with friends and community. We will attend the Christmas Eve service at our community hall. It will feel strange to be in the audience and not the choir this year because of my crazy schedule, but next year I will have time. We’ve been invited to good friends for dinner, and I am looking forward to several days of being lazy. We are also looking forward to ringing in the New Year with a community potluck dinner and dance at our community hall!
My stint in politics will end in 2018, and I am looking forward to a new chapter, and more adventures. Vince and I are hoping to get out more with our 5th wheel, and see more of our wonder family and friends. Our Jayden graduates in June, so there will be a trip to Fort McMurray for sure, and Michelle and I are traveling to Europe in July.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and the very best in 2018!
Love, Joan and Vince