We awoke sometime on March 9, 2018, to find ourselves back in Canada, and full of different emotions. We were relieved to be with John's Mom, Lois (otherwise known as Granny.) We found her to be in good spirits, and still managing quite well despite her cancer prognosis. We were happy to be in a warm, comfortable home at the tail end of the Canadian winter. And, covering us like a thin veil, was the lingering heartbreak of losing Nahanni V.
I remember feeling like floating in a daze for the first few days as we reconnected with family. Dinners, phone calls and emails jolted us back into the Canadian present, and we got reacquainted with tasks like driving in snow, big grocery stores and wearing shoes. We started to formulate a wreck script when meeting with friends. Retelling our story was healing, and after awhile, we no longer got teary. It was time to move on, settle in, and focus on others' needs.
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| Thanks to cousins who had winter coats to share |
Lois had lived alone for a number of years since her husband Jim died, and she was used to an independent lifestyle. We all made some adjustments as our family of four nested into her spacious basement, making an effort not to disrupt her routines. We knew her time was limited, and we wanted to help her die with grace and dignity. Her goal was to see the spring flowers bloom.
With Lois's blessing, I took over the land galley and quickly adjusted to a large fridge, unlimited running water and four stove burners. The kids started doing more cooking.
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| Simon making shepherd's pie |
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| Wavey trying her hand at a yummy stir fry |
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| Kids becoming sushi chefs |
We began to provide assistance to Lois when needed, adjusting and coordinating with other caregivers as her needs changed. Generally, John attended to his mother during the day, and after school, the kids and I got out into the community.
We dove into a school routine within a few days of getting settled. Despite the fact there was a lovely school a short distance away, we decided to continue with Bomeschool-On-Land so we could be flexible with our schedules. This way, we could drop everything when Granny was having a good day and hang out with her.
Our accommodations in the basement provided a large classroom space. Soon, we had a computer lab set up and work spaces for all. Unlike on Nahanni V, we did not have to pack up everything after school, and no one complained of seasickness while doing math. With a public library three blocks away and high speed internet, we were in home school heaven. We began to plough through the school work we had neglected due to the wreck.
Granny served as a great audience for school presentations and enjoyed the kids popping in for a break during school. Wavey started voice lessons and gave regular concerts to Granny and her visitors.
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| Wavey giving a Book Talk on Owls in the Family |
Being back at "home" gave us time to catch up with family and friends. Easter and birthdays were extra special given we had missed a couple of years doing our usual celebrations.
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| With Granny the Easter Bunny |
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| Wavey and cousin Lucas |
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| Love those cousins Zachary and Lucas |
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| You are never too old to hang with the big bunny |
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| Wavey turns double digits |
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| Wavey's birthday at trampoline park with friends |
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| More cake! |
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| Cousins |
Whenever she was able, we went on outings with Granny. One day, we went to the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls, basking with the butterflies in the tropical temperatures. We also visited the Botanical Gardens to quench our need for beauty and nature.
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| Butterfly Conservatory |
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| Niagara Falls |
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| Botanical Gardens, Niagara Falls |
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| Tailgate picnic lunch party after visiting Botanical Gardens |
We also found time to explore our new community of Niagara-On-The-Lake and return to our own town of Grimsby to hang with friends. We took advantage of museums and events as part of school.
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| Niagara-On-The-Lake is a wonderful place to bike |
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| Visiting the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto to study Mesopotamia |
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| Sailing with friends on Lake Ontario |
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| Aboard Sails Call with Tom and Chris for Sailpast |
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| Hanging with boat kids! |
As Lois's appetite fluctuated, we focused on cooking things that she liked to eat. Needless to say, we ate very well and had lots of treats.
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| Liane and Lois with Mother's Day lobster |
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| Lois teaching us to make champagne cocktails from her youth |
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| Jean came for a visit with Lois and brought lots of good times |
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| Eating her favourite molasses bread made specially for her by Zachary |
One day, Lois shared that she had always wanted to live for 82 years. At age 77, she regretted she would not make it another year. We decided that we would accelerate her birthdays and celebrate them to get her to 82.
One special day in May brought family together from out of town. Aunt Cora and cousins Judy, Brad and Janice visited for the day. One of Lois's greatest joys was being out in her garden sipping on something good with friends and family.
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| Champagne in the garden |
In her last week, Lois got out to her deck to see her friends tending to her garden. It would be the last time she would see her flowers.
Lois died peacefully at home on June 16th, with her two children, John and Liane at her side.
