I left home on Tuesday morning, heading to Victoria. Lunch with one daughter, a quick walk downtown with the other, no time to see anyone else. Then on to the ferry and to my parents' home on the mainland. The next day we started out for Alberta. A picnic lunch in a quiet campground with the bluest of skies and warm sun rays was a wonderful break.
Then on through the mountains, admiring the jagged peaks. Every mountain unique and all beautiful.
Dinner in Canmore, and then on to Calgary for the night.
Across the prairies for a couple of hours to Medicine Hat.
I took a walk one evening. The wind blew across the grasses and my skirt swished against my legs. Sky as far as the eye could see. Long shadows of fading sunlight reached across the open expanse. I drank in the beauty until I'd had enough of the pesky mosquitoes.
Our day and a half there was hard as we said goodbye to Colin. It was wonderful to be together as a family (as many as could make it) and the service was a wonderful celebration of his life, and of the faith and trust he placed in God. He was a new police officer and was given a police funeral in spite of the fact that he fell sick during his training, wrote his final exams while undergoing chemotherapy last fall, and never served a day. I know he considered it an honour to be granted this privilege. (He helped plan the service before he passed.)
Then a long, long day's drive, beginning at 5:30 am, back across the prairie, through the mountains, to my parents' home again. A good night's sleep, then a couple of hours to the ferry, an hour an half crossing and I was so glad to be home and see Tim again.
Today is catch-up day - laundry, a bit of cleaning, and buying of groceries. Things should be back to normal around here soon.
Beautiful country...
ReplyDeleteWe talked about Colin today. Of course, I didn't know that he had passed until now. Our prayers will be with you and your family in this grieving time. Praying that you will all know the comfort that comes of knowing that he is safely home.
We thought of you...and all of Colin's family last week. It sounds like the memorial truly was a celebration of his life! His testimony will continue on.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pic's of AB!
Your trip looks like a long pilgrimage... outside and inside... my heart goes out to Colin's wife, widowed with two young children. I've been praying a lot lately, and I always include her and her boys in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI need to find out who Colin is, but I am so sorry. The mountains are beautiful....I lived out there in Alberta...not that fond of it.
ReplyDeleteglad you are home safe!
What a journey, Lorrie. It is so good to be able to celebrate a loved one's life with lots of family. I'm sure that you and your parents had lots to talk about and lots of memories to share as you made that long drive across the mountains.
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