Sunday, March 28, 2010

In Loving Memory of My Grandson Patrick

My heart is heavy with grief as I write, for what should have been a glorious celebration this week is now one of sorrow and profound sadness. Marie and I, and Cesar and Rosalia, lost our beautiful grandson Patrick on the 19th and words cannot describe how we feel. I will always cherish the moment and how I felt as I held him for the first and last time, knowing then that all the dreams and aspirations I so dearly wished to share with him, my first grandson, would never come to pass. Our sorrow is surely nothing compared to that of Phil and Fernanda, yet we too struggle as much to understand why this had to happen. The past eleven days have been a blur of emotions for us, but with the love and support of our families here and abroad to draw on, the caring and generosity of the Montreal General and the Royal Victoria Hospital, as well as the beautiful service held in St Patrick's Basilica, we have all come through together. Goodbye dear sweet Patrick. How I miss you already. If all the tears I have shed for you could build a stairway I'd walk right up to Heaven and bring you home again. I will always be, your loving Grandpa, Gary.



(Eulogy written by Marie)

To my parents, Phil and Fernanda
March 26, 2010

In my very short life, I loved you, my parents.
Mama and Daddy you were always there for me, and from the very beginning I felt your overwhelming love. I heard you say that all my grandparents, my aunts and uncles, and many others were overjoyed to hear of me, so I felt so very happy.
Every time you went shopping, or organized my room I felt your anticipation and your trepidation. I also felt your gentleness when you played with my feet, when I was kicking, and when you talked to me. I did not get the chance to see daylight, but I felt your love so very strongly.
When I was born in body and you saw me, your eyes looking at me so intensely, I really wish I could have opened my eyes to look deeply into yours. It was not meant to be, and I am so sorry because I know, Mama and Daddy, that I would have had the best parents in the whole world.
I leave you but a short glimpse of what I might have looked like and an idea of my energy and love of life as you felt me flutter about your belly, Mama, the playground of my short life.
As I look over you, Mama and Daddy, and wait to meet you again, someday. I will stay in your heart and your mind forever.
I will never forget you,
your son, Patrick



A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark -

People were bringing little children to Him in order that He might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a litle child will never enter it." And he took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. (Mark 10: 13-16)

gws
at

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Memories - Part 4

A good snapshot stops a moment forever - I have boxes of photos waiting to be enjoyed and remembered again because, to me, a trip to Nostalgia now and then is good for the spirit! I hope you agree! Here then : Memories, part 4....


Mom (Grandma Steward) enjoying the sun

Don and his new Bug

Taylor and Andrew

Lyn and Phil

Flower Power - Marie and Gary in Mexico

Phil cooking in the camper

Phil at Big Rideau Lake, Ontario

Backyard, 782 Southmore Dr, Ottawa

Grandma Steward's pet Sandhill Cranes

Gary and new Hyundai Accent

Marie, Mario and Emily

Gary at Big Rideau Lake, Ontario

Marie, Mama and Papa Bourgoin, Gary in Montreal

Our 1981 Camper

Mom and Dad Steward, Christmas elfs

Gary, Marie, Lyn and Dee with Mom and Dad Steward

Lyn and Rande, Penticton, BC

Marie and Gary, Southmore Dr, Ottawa

"Uncle" Frank and "Auntie" Betty

Christina, Phil and Lara

Santa Bruce and Gary, Toronto

Christina and Lara

Phil ...he shoots, he scores !

Richard and Marie, Ottawa

Rande and Shawn with Taylor and Andrew

Lyn and Penny Easton, Metz Brats Reunion, Ottawa

Rich and Gary on bridge between Ottawa and Gatineau

Rich at Ottawa Roughriders football game

Marie and Gary, Metz Brats Reunion, Ottawa


Gary and Marie, Ottawa, August 2003

Lyn and Gary, Metz Brats Reunion, Ottawa

Thanks for dropping by...Come back and visit often! gws
at

Monday, March 8, 2010

Memories - Part 3



As Marie and I prepare for another year in a new city we will continue to record the events of our lives, both happy, sad and funny. Let's not forget that many of these special moments last all of a second, the time it takes to capture them on camera, and in many cases they will live on forever: in someone's heart and memory, on a blog like this or in a treasured photo album. Often we come across an old picture, hear a song, find an old forgotten letter or Christmas card slipped between the pages of a book, or for no particular reason are suddenly reminded of a special moment that we thought we had forgotten. If you have been following this blog over the last few years you will know I have twice gone back into time and posted some older family photos that are near and dear to me. Continuing that tradition here then are some memories of the Christmas Marie, Phil and I spent in Brooksville, Florida in December 2005....


Tyler and Grandma Steward



Shawn and Lyn



Phil



Lyn



Marie



Phil and Dad (Grandpa Steward)



Marie at Homasassa Springs State Wildlife Park



Tyler and Shawn



Tyler, Corey & Phil



Mom (Grandma Steward)



Marie, Phil, Mom and Dad



Marie and Lyn



Hippo at Homasassa Springs Wildlife Park



Gary and Elenor, Lake Worth


Flamingo, Homasassa Springs



Don and Marie


Phil and Gary



Marie at Homasassa Springs looking for Manatees


Marie, Palm Beach


Abandoned house, Croom Road, Brooksville


Manatee, Homasassa Springs


Life gives us brief moments with another...but sometimes in those brief moment we get memories that last a life time. Thanks for sharing these with me. gws
at
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)