Springtime?

Well it's been forever since I posted here. As I look back at the last few posts I am happy to have a record of our lives, even if it's likely boring for some!

2015 was a tough year. My Mum passed away suddenly on October 24th, 2015. I know that we should feel lucky that she was never ill, that she never had to move to a retirement home or facility. She had all her faculties and went peacefully in the night. Still the shock was heart wrenching. My siblings and I put together a "Celebration of Life" where we saw so many old faces and I was touched at how many remembered Trudy with such love. She was a strong, independent pioneer of women's rights. She brought up nine kids alone. We all had such admiration and love for her, it was a beautiful event that ended with a New Orleans funeral parade on Cecil Street. I'll try to find some photos to share with you. After the parade there was an amazing rainbow, we cried and laughed and hugged and loved. I hope some small part of my Mum rubbed off on me.

Six weeks later on December 7th, 2015 my brother Dave succumbed to liver cancer. He had been battling for over 3 years and I feel like after Mum died he knew it was ok to go as well. I am still totally devastated about losing my little brother. We were very close. Somehow the whole time he was ill I never faced the fact that one day we would lose him. As spring approaches I find myself remembering how he would come and help me in the garden, then we'd sit on the deck and chat. I am still so raw it's tough to talk about Dave without ending up in tears.

On December 17th, 2015 I worked my last day at TTC. I think all the recent loss made me realize that life is too short and we need to live it day to day. I had a great send off where the CEO age a speech and I felt very honoured to have him and all my friends come out and celebrate with me.

John also retired last year, his last official day at work was December 31, 2015. His party was held on January 9th, 2016 and we had a great turn out of old friends, family and co-workers.

Four days later I left for two months in Costa Rica, staying with my niece and her family. The time there flew by but it was a time for mourning and relaxing and thinking and healing. I spent many a day crying, walking the beach, going to yoga and in the evenings hanging with family. This year was different as we had a few visitors while I was there, including my BFF and her family, as well as my sister and her husband. My son Matt also arrived in February, and has since decided to make a life there. I anticipate many more visits in the future.

I returned to Canada on March 16, 2016 in time for John's 60th birthday. We are having a Hawaiian themed party in two days, pictures to follow!

I hadn't been home a week when I decided to apply for a temporary position with Census Canada. I am just not sure to do with all my free time. I go for walks, do yoga, go to Spanish conversation groups...but I need more. What I've learned so far about retirement is that we have enough money to live on but not enough to travel the way I had hoped. So I plan to find odd jobs to supplement my need for travel!

Spring has been slow in arriving this year. I am looking forward to getting the camper out and doing some road trips. John's Mum lives in Port Elgin on the Lake Huron coast. We will definitely be up there a lot this summer, and I promise more pics.

My camera hasn't been used enough lately but now that I am retired I will do better!

Stay tuned!