Kitty’s Place

Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Maud

My grandpa was 94 years old. Until a year ago he lived in the home he and my grandma moved into almost 60 years ago when they came to Ontario from Quebec. Grandpa was a very loving, giving soul and if you knew him, you loved him. He loved life and he loved his family. He called my Grandma his “Beauty” and every day when he came home from work, the first thing he did was give her a kiss and tell her how much he had missed her while he was gone. I lived across the street from my grandparents for most of my childhood and they were like an extension of my own parents and their home was like home to me and to all their grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Grandpa was from a little place in Quebec called Avoca. It had a church and a school and not much more except farms. He came from a large family. They lost their mom when they were teenagers and I think that was one of the reasons my grandfather was so family oriented, he understood that life is fragile and the people you love might not be there tomorrow. He worked as a river driver when he was young, bringing the logs down the river from the place the trees were felled, to the mill. There was a national film board short that aired in the early 80’s called The Log Driver’s Waltz that always made me think of my grandpa from his river driver days. He married grandma in 1934 and they had 5 children, my mom was the middle child. We grew up with grandpa as a wonderful role model and he was very actively a part of our upbringing. Grandpa taught us to tie our shoes. He taught us to persevere at any given task. He taught us to garden. He had a huge garden and his kids had their own little sections and we grandchildren were out there planting and weeding and harvesting every summer. Grandpa was there to provide love and support when my mom was ill and when she died. When my dad died, I was heart broken, but part of me said “it isn’t so awful, I still have Grandpa”. Today I no longer have that male presence in my life. There is no one to fill in the empty spot left now that Grandpa is gone.

I called my grandpa “grandpa dadoo”. I was very little when I started calling him that and I have no idea if this is true, but I believe that it was because I used to hear my mom say so often “I will ask dad to do ……”. We all depended on him and never ever let any of us down. My grandpa was a gentleman through and through and garnered respect from everyone he came in contact with. He was not however a saint. *laugh* Grandpa had a very short temper and would blow up about things. But once he lost that temper, he got over it and laughed at the cause. He did not hold grudges and saw his own faults and could laugh at them. He had infiniite patience with grandma. He never swore in front of us, but he did have some funny things he said when he got angry. I have vivid memories of him in the garage working on something and blowing up, saying “holy old ballface” or his famous line “I must have been born a twin, no one man could be this stupid”. But as quickly as the temper flared, it cooled and he would propose a walk to Bruno’s store for a coke and chocolate bar.

I knew in my heart when he went into the hospital last week that he would not come out again and have been mentally preparing for this moment. But now that he is gone, there is a big hole in my heart and it will take a bit before I fill it up by recalling all the wonderful times we had together. Thank goodness for memories and having such a special grandfather that it isn’t hard to find those memories to ease the pain of losing him. I love you grandpa!

My grandpa is gone. He died last night, a peaceful ending to a long and special life. He was an extraordinary man and once I collect my thoughts I will write about him here.

We are home again and relaxing after a great vacation. *smile*

We spent the last few days with Aunt Maud. On Monday she picked us up and we made a quick trip to the cemetery to put Tiger Lily’s on my mom’s grave, since Tuesday would have been her 67th birthday. Tuesday we visited with my grandparents and we did the same Wednesday. Saying good bye was really really hard. Thursday we said an equally hard good bye to Aunt Maud and Uncle Allan and headed for the airport.

We went in an airport transport van and there was another family in the same van. They were heading for Gotebörg on the same KLM flight we were taking. We got checked in and were waiting for our plane to arrive when we had severe thunderstorms that ended up with our plane being rerouted to Montreal. So our 1800 departure time eventually became 2200. But that was not to be either, we had a warning light at takeoff and so it was aborted and we taxied back to the gate where the problem was repaired, however another attempt at takeoff at 2300 ended with the same results. We ate dinner at midnight on the plane and finally did get into the air at 0200. We were assured that KLM would have new connecting flights booked by the time we arrived in Amsterdam. Well that was true, however they were so disorganized at the transfer desk that we (and at least two other families I spoke with) did not get up to the desk until it was too late for us to get our connecting flights. So we ended up staying the night in Amsterdam, room and meals paid for by the airline. We flew out Saturday morning and were finally home at 1000, 40 or so hours after we were supposed to leave, instead of the 12 hours we had planned on. LL forgot his treasured baseball cap from Uncle Mike in our room at the hotel and we did not discover that until we were at the boarding gate, so were unable to go back and get it. Two calls so far to the hotel have elicited promises of call backs to let us know if it was located, but I am still waiting. I will keep trying, since I know he forgot it in the room and it should have been turned in by housekeeping.

Being home is wonderful. It was so great to see my fellow at last and the bonus is that he started vacation when we got home, so we have 4 weeks together now.

On a sad note, my grandparents home is officially sold and my grandfather is in the hospital with congestive heart failure. At 94 anything could happen, so I am saying prayers here and waiting for updates from family.

There are loads of photos to come and more details of our trip, but right now I have a dog who needs grooming so this is all my updating for today. *laugh*

We leave in 4 days. How did that happen?

We got back here to my sister’s on Wednesday. Got pizza for dinner and just vegetated for the evening.

Thursday we went to Niagara Falls for a few hours and visited with Carol We had lunch, went to see the falls and had a little visit at Carol’s. LL thought the Falls were cool and had a nice day.

Friday we went to Zoos, a zoo/amusement park about 20 minutes away. Had a fabulous day, took pictures, spent time with family. All around perfect day. In the evening we walked to Tim Horton’s, saw my nephew at work, bought a can of my favourite coffee.

Yesterday we went to my Aunt Pearl’s house for a bbq. It was a really lovely day and I got a chance to visit with my aunt and uncle and my cousin and her boyfriend. We got back here about 2200 and both of crashed.

This morning I am cleaning up our mess before my sister comes home. *laugh* We are heading out to Aunt Maud’s later, for the final days of our vacation here. I am hoping we get to see my sister and her family before we leave.

Am missing my fellow lots and lots. Thank goodness we will see him in a few days. Vacations are great but they would be even better if he was with. *laugh*

Wow, it is almost a week since my last entry here.

Friday July 1st was Canada Day. My friend Jess came and got us in the morning and we went to her place for the day. It was so nice to see her again and her boys have just shot up since the last time I was over here. LL was thrilled to see kids his age. We went to a parade that had bands, lots of politicians and one float … with Santa and little christmas tree on it. *laugh* Then we went to a park and LL got balloons and two temporary tattoos of Canadian flags. From there we went back to Jess’ and the kids swam, watched tv and played. She bbq’d and then brought us back to my sister about 2130. I put my very tired son to bed so he didn’t see fireworks but that was not a big deal.

Saturday we had a quiet morning and then in the afternoon we went to my brother’s. The boys thought the pool was a bit cold, so they spent their time in the hot tub instead. *laugh* I visited and had a strawberry daiquiri, something I haven’t had in years. We came back to my sister’s for dinner and I got the kidlet into bed early.

Sunday we headed off to Burlington to another brother’s. It was great to see him and his family and we even met my nephew’s girlfriend, a really sweet young woman. I just can’t get over the fact that these kids are in university, college, graduating high school etc. They should still be toddlers if my internal calendar was right. *laugh*

Monday we drove to Toronto and went to the Royal Ontario Museum. It was wonderful. We were there a few hours, saw all the exhibits and then drove home. Llywelyn loved it all.

Tuesday we drove to Toronto again, this time going to the Ontario Science Centre. What a spectacular place for kids that is. We spent the day and Llywellyn had so much fun he couldn’t begin to describe it to his dad.

Today we came back to my sister’s and LL is catching up on his tv shows. *laugh* I have lots more to journal about our visit with Greg and pictures too, but now I am off to do some laundry.