Welcome Baby Gabriel
February 6, 2010
On February 5th at 0349, Baby Gabriel entered this world, weighing in at 4 pounds 1 ounce, a little earlier than expected but breathing on his own and from all reports, doing fine. Cyni, my granddaughter, was not expecting to celebrate his birth day until mid March, but Wee Gab.. well… he had other plans.
Cyni has spent the past week in a hospital bed with nurses and doctors doing their best to prepare both her and the babe for an early arrival. Steroids were given to aid the babe’s lung development, antibiotics given to protect Mom against infection. All the while, many thoughts and prayers were flying about to keep them safe and if at all possible, to hold on for just one more week.
And that is just what happened. Cyni and Gabriel made it to the pivotal 34 week mark when baby Gabriel decided that the time had come, the time is now.
I got the call at o4oo February 5 from my son Paul.
“Mom, Cyni had the baby… Mom, Dad and Baby are fine.”
Thank you God for this little miracle.
Pictures soon to follow. :-)
Great Grandma Colleen
The Gift
January 25, 2010
Sunday is ‘Mom Day’. I am off every second Sunday and every Sunday that I am off, I pick Mom up and we do the Safeway /Casino run. First we get her groceries, and then we head to our local casino for an hour of play time. Mom, with her physical limitations and her failing eye sight, doesn’t get out much these days, so these outings are often anticipated.
Last Sunday, as she came out of her apartment block and headed towards my car, I noticed a large plastic bag balancing on the seat of her walker as she pushed it towards me.
“Here,” she said, “These are for you. I was going to throw them out but I thought you might like them”.
I took the bag from Mom’s hands and glanced inside. Three large scrape like books with ragged torn edges peeked back at me.
“Are you kidding me!!! Mom, you were going to throw these out??”
“Well, I can’t see them anymore. If you want them, you can have them.”
“Yes Mom, I want them! Thanks”.
I closed them back into the bag and tucked them in a safe place in the back of the car.
I had seen these books before.. but not for some time. And when I did last glance at them I probably didn’t appreciate them as I knew I would now.
The first thing I did on getting home was bring out the bag of books and carefully place them on to the kitchen table. Three books. One an old Hilroy style scrape book, the second a smaller version with the words Scrape Book on the front, and the third an aged leather binder. All of them stuffed to overflowing with ragged edged pages.
I opened the largest of the three and immediately felt a stillness. On the inside of the cover page was a large photo of Grandpa, Grandma, my mom (about 18) and her sisters and brother. The right side of the page displayed a yellowed news clipping and a wedding invitation dated 1950 .. still crisp, still white.
I felt my breath catch as I leaned inward to read the names.
Eileen Helma to Mr. Frederick Devlin … my mom and dad!
A wave of emotion flooded me, warming me from the inside out and quieting my breath.
Excitement, sadness, longing, I felt them all as I slowly turned the page to find another very yellowed but still legible newspaper clipping describing in great detail the wedding of Mr. Frederick Devlin to Eileen Helma Richter.
Had I seen these before? If so.. for the life of me, I did not remember when. I didn’t even know my mom had a middle name, let alone that it was Helma.
We think we know our parents. How little we really know.
More page turning, more wonders. Aged clippings of the grandparents that I never really knew… their obituaries holding much in the way of previously wondered at information.
My grandfather (Mom’s dad) was born in Austria and immigrated to Canada in 1910. I had often wondered but had never asked .. now here it was, at my fingertips. My grandmother was originally from The USSR. She and grandpa met in Canada and married in 1912.
I sat there, alone in my kitchen, awestruck with visions of past generations suddenly clear.
The second book held mostly old photos, mostly of my mom and her times, some of my dad and their early married life. I marveled at them and at the young attractive women who looked back at me.
My mom before she was my mom.
Amidst all the emotion, I suddenly I felt overwhelmed. Such a treasure I had unexpectedly been given. Feeling unsure as to what exactly to do… I only knew I had to do something.
Funny how life works.. how sometimes things simply fall into place. Recently I have been feeling a winter restlessness and pondering on a project. I am thinking now that one may have just fallen into my lap.
And Mom… thank you for this gift. I so needed this, for so many reasons. The most important one being that it comes at a time in our relationship when our roles have so completely reversed. I need to know and I need to remember.
I need a reminder of who I know still lives in the heart of the now sometimes forgetful and increasingly fragile women who was and is my mom. And in the remembering, be better able to embrace the woman who is here today.
Some gifts are truly priceless. This, I think, may be one of them.
Feeling a little Zapped
January 12, 2010
I knew as soon as I opened the door and walked in that the wait was going to be a long one. Practically every chair in the room was taken. The majority of the patrons were elderly, with some being younger and obviously caregivers and there to assist. I guess that placed me somewhere in-between.
Resisting our fate, I lingered a moment with the receptionist asking about the time frame. Roland already sensing the answer.. headed towards the two free chairs on the far side. Soon, nodding at the girl behind the desk, I turned to follow him, feeling my blood already starting to boil.
Patience is a virtue I am working on.
What is it about “eye docs”. Why does every appointment take a two to three hour slice from our day.
I know this to be true from the many eye doctors that my mom visits on a regular bases. Mine have been fewer… but the time frame of the appointments rarely varies.
Today I was revisiting the eye doc that did my cataract surgery 5 years ago. Increasingly cloudy vision and a visit to my optometrist had revealed that a Posterior capsule opacity (POC) had developed. This is caused by epithelial cells remaining after the initial cataract surgery. They often (especially in younger patients, I am told) tend to multiply and end up leaving a hazy membrane (capsule) just behind the artificial intraocular lens leading to reduced vision. This is a common complication of cataract surgery and quite easily fixed. The treatment is a YAG laser capsulotomy… the why of why I was here today.
Bless Roland… I have much to learn from him in regards to patience. He quietly sat, pulled out his iPhone and started flipping through his various apps. An elderly gentleman, sitting directly across, noted the device and soon the two of them were in a friendly discussion about all the techie toys of our era.
I sat quietly too… inwardly fighting with my Irish temperament, trying to maintain a tolerant demur instead of focusing on the long wait ahead. I had the thought that taking out my own iPod and inserting the ear phones might make us look like two middle aged dweebs.. so I leafed through a magazine instead.
About 40 minutes later I heard my name called and was lead into a small examination room, had a few preliminary eye tests done, received the eye drops to dilate the pupils and then returned to the waiting room (to wait some more).
Now what was I to do to combat those negative thoughts swirling about in my head? Unable to read any longer with pupils near the size of my Iris, I relented, reached into my purse, and pulled out my iPod.
I slipped on the white ear buds, toggled on my favourite playlist and mercifully was instantly adrift. Glancing up just as Jann Arden’s soft voice filled my consciousness, I felt as if I had instantaneously entered a different dimension.
The dilated pupils had effected my vision to the point where my central sight was clear but a blurry cloud softened the periphery. The music now living in my head muffled the conversational buzz of the room.
I had been transported. I slowly felt my body relax.
I suppose some did notice us there.. the two middle aged geeks, sitting side by side, both immersed in their little technical wizardry.. but I no longer cared… for I was of another world. :-)
colleen b—–
Colleen B—–
COLLEEN B—–
“Oh! Yes… here”. I hurriedly pulled the ear pieces from my ears and followed the assistant into the awaiting doc’s domain.
I was given a brief eye exam, a consent to sign, and then told that the laser treatment would be done and would only take a moment.
And surprise, surprise… that is really what it took… one quick moment of laser zaps. And I was done.
Grateful for once more having clear vision, we left with me no longer regretting the wait and truly feeling very thankful for the handy little iPod that helped me keep my cool… and for Roland, of course. :-) He is so often my eyes and shows me the way.
———-
One of my favourite Jann Arden songs:
Seven Sunday Gratitudes
January 10, 2010
1) Waking up to the pitter-pat of kitty paws on the bed comforter. Feeling the softness of kitty whiskers against my face… even if it is only 5:30 in the morning.
2) Me and the dogs heading out for our morning walk …. so happy to see that the ‘mini sidewalk plow’ has been by. Warmer temps, gently falling snow, and a cleared path… who could ask for more.
3) Getting ready to spend the day with Mom and so grateful that she is ok. She had a fall on Boxing day that left us all a little shaken.
4) So very grateful for assisted living facilities that enable our seniors to live independent lives … but with a safety net. Last week Mom and I visited this one, only minutes from our house. Mom put in an application. Fingers crossed for an opening to become available soon.
5) Happy, happy (as I reach to lift the telephone receiver) to recognize my sister’s long distance number on the caller ID screen.
6) Day two of four days off. I can feel my shoulders drop as the tightness is released.
7) Still finding it hard to use the words “I” and “retirement” in the same sentence… but the count down to my ‘magic 80’ has begun.
Saturday Morning
January 9, 2010
and the livin’ is easy.. finally!!
This morning I start my stretch of four days off… and that always has me feelin’ good. But especially this week.. as it has been a bit of a rough one… Bear has been sick.
He started vomiting Monday morning and stopped eating at much the same time. The strange thing is… not meaning to be too graphic here… but I found a somewhat chewed 1/2 almond in his first emesis. ???? Whatever was he doing eating an Almond! We did have a small bowl of nuts on the kitchen counter. He must have taken it from there, but still the question remains… why would a cat eat a nut.. an unsalted one, at that.
Anyways.. he vomited several times over the next three days. I kept hoping he would just get better but he didn’t, so Wednesday we took him into the vet.
He ended up staying in kitty hospital for two days. He needed an IV and fluids. They also did a barium x-ray.. and poor Bear… he aspirated some of the barium into his lungs. The vet explained that barium in the lungs can never be removed and will always be there. Lucky for Bear his respiratory status so far does not appear compromised. It just seems ironic that sometimes the cure is worse than what ails ya. I admittedly was a bit upset about this.. but again.. what can you do.
It took over a day, but the barium finally traveled through his system… alleviating the fear of an obstruction (from the other 1/2 of a suspect almond). Blood tests indicated that he did have pancreatitis.
By day two in hospital he had stopped vomiting and had started eating so I brought him home yesterday morning. He seems pretty good. He now is on a new special food for cats with tummy issues and he does seem to be liking it. Thank goodness for this.. as Bear is one stubborn and very finicky feline when it comes to food.
Our biggest challenge now is the fact that I have to give him a pill three times a day for a week. Believe me.. giving a pill to Bear, or any cat for that matter, is not an easy feat. But, thanks to the advise I have been given, we are managing… at least I think we are. So far no strange little blue pill remnants have turned up on the carpet or on the couch. Cats are notorious for cheek storing and then spitting.
This little episode cost me over $700… but again…what can you do. I am just glad to have him home and feeling better (both him and me). Not sure what I will do if he has another ‘little attack’ but we will cross that bridge if and when we come to it.
Any ways.. today every thing is good and I am going to meet ‘The Girls’ for brunch. It is still very cold here… but, the people that are supposed to be in the know, are promising warmer days for the week ahead. Here’s hoping.
post note:
Roland and I braved the elements last Tuesday to witness the Olympic Torch Relay as it made it’s way over the Provencher Bridge here in Winnipeg. What an awesome experience that was!!
Some pictures:
Christmas Past
December 22, 2009
I find I often leave Anvilcloud’s blog feeling inspired. This visit was no exception. His post on A Short Story Made Long reminded me of how our Christmas Present is so forever intricately interweaved with our Christmas Past.
In no time I found myself leafing through my own too small accumulation of vintage Christmas photos, finding more than one forgotten treasure and quickly losing myself in the cascade of attached memories.
I think my favourite is this one.
My first Christmas with my first dog, Bing.
I must have been about 8 months old in this photo and I do appreciate how the memory that I carry is in truth an interlacing of the act of looking at this picture a zillion times and listening to the words of my mom and dad’s related stories.
“Tell me again about Bing, Mom… please, please.”
And mom would once more tell the story of how, when she was very pregnant with me… just weeks before I was born, Dad walked into their home with this humongous dog in tow.
Dad loved dogs!
Mom had never owned one in her life.
Both Mom and Dad made light of this in their stories, but it must have been quite the adjustment for Mom… pregnant, setting up a new home… and now the proud owner of this monster of a dog.
But there must also have been a grain of truth in the telling of how Mom quickly came to love this big goof of a dog because for all the years that followed, a sleeping dog (Bing long gone) could almost always be found at my dad’s feet.
Another favourite… a little bitter sweet.
Me (the oldest at three) and my sister (must have been about 18 months)
The years have brought some strife to our relationship. I look at this picture and I know I must do my part to mend this.
And then there is this one.
The three sisters, each of us busy, busy and very into our Christmas loot. I so remember that cowgirl outfit… I loved it.
My dad was a cattle buyer by occupation and in the eyes of his little girls, a true cow boy. Now here was I… just like my dad.
I am thinking that this post has evolved into being about photography as much as it is about Christmas. It seems to me that it somehow demonstrates the power and value of old photos and the role they play in keeping otherwise forgotten moments alive and remembered and treasured.
So here is my simple wish for you… the merriest of Christmas’s and the best of New Years. May you carry both the warmth of the past and present close to your heart.
And if you get the chance in all the hustle and bustle that is Christmas, I hope you find the time to snap a Christmas photo or two. I’ll just bet ya, that someday and to someone… that captured moment will bring a smile and spark a memory.
It’s in the little things
December 19, 2009
Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. ~ Robert Brault
1) Ah.. a warming trend. Warm enough that on realizing that I had left the house wearing only my little cotton gloves, I didn’t feel the need to stop the car and run back inside for a warmer pair.
2) An early appointment with Coco’s groomer finds Sadie and I out and about and walking at our favourite dog park just as the late December sun inches above the horizon.
3) Coco… back from the groomers and looking oh so spiffy.
4) Roland and I feeling very Santa Claus-ish as we deliver early Christmas presents to the grandkids. Catching the smiles on the moms and dads faces… so worth it.
5) Wrapping and placing the last Christmas present under the tree. Tucking it way under so that Roland doesn’t spot it. Feeling the first true stirrings of Christmas excitement.
6) Yesterday I had the first conversation with the people at HEPP (Health Employees Pension Plan) … hard to believe… but the ball has started rolling.
7) Hearing Roland call from the back door as he is about to head off to work, “Kissy-time”. Feeling his warmth in a hug that lingers after he goes.
I’ve been for a walk on a winter’s day
December 16, 2009
With the bitterly cold temps of late, our walks have been short and some days, even nonexistent. Coco doesn’t seem to mind, but with Sadie it is evident that the unspent energy is lying very close to the surface.
Yesterday, even though the thermometer continued to read –25C, the wind was light and the sun shone bight. After some deliberation and hesitation, I decided that we should probably venture out.
My initial plan was to check out the back yard with both dogs, then let Coco back into the house and head for the field out back with Sadie. But much to my surprise, even without his sweater and boots, Coco seemed full of spirit and undaunted by the cold. With no evidence of any lifting of the paws, I opened the back gate and set the dogs free to run in the field.
Even on bitterly cold days and even when traveling low in the sky, I find the sun has a warmth. Perhaps this late in the season, it is more mental than physical… but it certainly brings a warmth to the soul.
The three of us walked through the back, not venturing far from the fence but certainly enjoying the reprieve from the forced indoor time.
As you can see in the video… it’s plenty cold… but we really don’t have much in the way of snow. Personally, I am very very fine with this.. but my hubby is itchin’ to snowmobile so is wishing and hoping for more of the white stuff.
Truth be told.. we three were not out there for a long time… but it, for sure, was a good time. My dogs… they do make me smile… even on these cold cold December days.
Heading back home.
Seven Sunday Gratitudes
December 13, 2009
I can think of little that combats the cold and dark of winter more than the act of counting gratitudes. So here are mine for this week.
1) Earlier this week, on one already dark evening, I decided to brave the wind chill warnings, dressed in layers and walked to the end of our block to visit my wee grandbaby, Alyssa. As I walked up to the front door I noticed their Christmas tree adorning the front window.
Alyssa is a busy girl these days… walking and exploring. But the picture of her kneeling in front of her Christmas tree… bouncing with excitement at the little lit candy canes dancing in front of her, will stay with me forever. Her little eyes shone. Her little arms flapped at her side… trying so hard to look with her eyes and not touch with her hands.
“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist.” ~Francis P. Church
2) Last evening I babysat “the Zac-attack” while his Mom and Dad enjoyed an evening out. Babysitting and bedtime is just so much easier now. The little gaffer busied himself amongst his array of toys, every once in awhile spotting “Jimmy-the-cat” and going for a handful of cat hair.
I laughed at one point. Jimmy, enjoying the company but looking for some quiet time, thought he had found a ‘safe place’ under a low lying table. Our Zac, both quick on and with his feet, quickly discovered that although he couldn’t quite touch Jimmy with his hands… he was still able to reach the ‘kitty-softness’ with his toes. What a pair those two make.
3) Gratitude is hearing your doctor say “ the pathology was benign”. A bit of a health scare finally put to rest.
4) It has been cold this week… almost bitterly so, with the red ticker tape indicating a dangerous wind chill traveling across the top of the Weather Network’s website. I visit this webpage on a daily basis this time of year and the good news is that the 14 day temperature graph is showing a very positive upward trend. Looks like warmer temps for Christmas week.
It just seems that one can not live in Manitoba without commenting on the weather. :-)
5) The cold has frozen the ditches and and trenches lining the trail out back. Sadie is free to run off leash and I no longer have to worry about a wet and very muddy dog. Sometimes winter is a good thing. :-)
6) Yay… my Christmas shopping is done!
7) Just a favourite picture from this week.
This girl always has me smile. :-)
And December Begins
December 5, 2009
We made it through November without much in the way of snow or cold but the past few days ‘Old Man Winter’ has been subtle in letting his presence be known.
A small dusting of snow and winter like temps of minus 20C greeted us this morn. Still a far cry from my most recent memories of Decembers past… but winter-like, none-the-less.
In the photo below a brave soul still jogs down the street. I guess they don’t refer to us as ‘hardy Manitobans’ for nothin’ :-).
This past November was almost gift-like and even now, with little snow, and the yet to be felt unrelenting gusts of the North wind, winter has been kind. I can’t help but feel a little lulled into hoping for a mild (in comparison) next couple of months.
Sadie may not wholeheartedly agree with me and I know that the reality may well prove otherwise.. but for now.. fingers remain crossed in my red Canadian Olympic mitts.
