Adventures in Prayer & Medicine Turns 5 and Life Goes On

Little did I know when the very first message on this blog, posted on October 11, 2013 and the second on October 16, 2013 would lead to marking today's 125th message a fifth anniversary!  If you're shaking your head, I'm right there with you.  Like those little dogs in the back window of cars with their heads bobbing to and fro' wondering where they were going and how they got to where they were.  

It also marks Mike's fifth year since having hip resurfacing surgery and me finding a note in my medical file to say I had 'likely less than a year'.  Hah, little did they know who they were dealing with.  Mighty Mouse cloaked in God's armour (Ephesians 6:11, Isaiah 59:17), part of which includes 'a shield of faith, helmet of salvation and sword of Spirit'.  All one has to do is read a sampling of posts since that time to see how much life we've lived since then.  Thank God faith is on our side. Now can you just picture me waddling around draped in all that mettle!?  

Seriously though, we are ever so grateful for the time we've had together over these last five years, focused on the important rather than the urgent, setting priorities in line with our values, living the clichés because they're so obviously true, and thankful to God for every day He has given us.  With so much water under the bridge I continue to wonder how many more people I might outlive who have not even been diagnosed with an illness yet.  It's been mind boggling and all the more reason to live every day with kindness and gratitude.

Despite being back on chemo, our plan of activity seems to be in a little bit of overdrive of late.  We managed to visit Mosaiculture in Gatineau in time before it closing (today) and as Mike said 'this was a good call.  It's spectacular'.  A display of over three dozen Canadian themes, some stories high, all made from live plants.  If by chance the photos show up on my computer from my phone by the end of this post, I'll share a couple, but you can always go to the website mosaiculture gatineau to see some truly amazing sights.

From there we went on to Pembroke to visit overnight with Kirk and Lynda en route to North Bay for our send off for my brother Andrew, on Thanksgiving Saturday.  Last time I mentioned how Mike agreed to organize the event and I need do nothing, or something if I wanted.  In the end I sought advice from Fr. Leo for a reading from the Bible and planned a tiny bit of whatever 'ceremony' there would be.  There are some funny points which might show how much he was there with us in spirit.
On Saturday, it was misting lightly so we had breakfast at Pinehill Variety Store and Coffee Shop, went on to pick up the tree Mike had bought for the marker then headed 60 km north of North Bay to the chosen 'spot'.  On the way, Mike pulled over at least three times to allow traffic to get by, especially before the passing lanes as we were going 80 km in a 90 with the tree, while covered, flapping wildly in the rear of the truck.  

We were literally a minute before our turn off at Marten's River when we were pulled over by the OPP, woo-woo lights and all.  Oh my, can you believe it, he stopped us for going TOO SLOW!  I could hear my brother laughing all the way from heaven.  Of course the interrogation was brief given Mike's explanation of how we were going to plant a tree for a 'friend' (don't want to give too many details).  

    A group of us, about 12, met at Trapper Trading Post, beside Lumpy's Eats & Treats, then headed toward Andy's final resting place.  The weather, expected to be cold, windy and rainy, was mild with a very light mist and no wind.  How nice is that!  Mike led the way with going around the circle with each one having an opportunity for any last words followed by taking turns sprinkling ashes to encircle the 'Ruby Slippers Amur Maples' tree planted in his honour.  Little anyone know or realize, the name of the tree held very special significance to me which I'll share shortly.  The type of tree only became known when the young boy from next door asked what kind of tree we were planting.

A very dear friend of his dropped a huge dried poppy she and her husband had picked in Holland in 2010.  She felt he deserved a poppy and not a cheap, plastic one.  It was fate she believed having held it for so long. 
Another couple laid roses which had survived since the Celebration of Life in May and were intact other than dried.  Before planting the tree I read two quotes from Andy's favourite, lifetime author Louis L'Amour, a short poem and a letter, both of which Andy had penned to our Dad.  Lastly I read a Bible passage and we said the Lord's Prayer, the 'Our Father' together as a group.

The tree was then planted with the plastic cremation container used as a watering can of sorts from the water nearby to start the new growth of Andy's tree.  Once finished and we started heading back to our cars, the skies opened up and we were all drenched just in time for the drive back!  We all agreed Andy was sending us on our way.  We planned to meet at Pinehill for a reception since the folks who work there could not join us

Back to the Ruby Slippers.  Anyone who has known me for any length of time will know my favourite movie of all time is the Wizard of Oz.  Andrew used to buy me Hallmark figurines and, even one year for Christmas, gave me an entire, pewter collection of Wizard of Oz figures! From Kansas no less!  When our Dad passed away I asked our friends doing the music to sing Over the Rainbow as Dad had so often referred to the bluebirds in life.  After the funeral, Andrew remarked "I knew you'd get the Wizard of Oz in there somehow!"  In this case, regarding the tree, I had no idea and thought Mike was keeping the type of tree as a surprise for me.  Not so!  He had no idea other than it starts out green and is supposed to turn bright red in the fall.
Thanks Andrew for letting me know you were teasing me about Dad all those years ago.

Reception for Andy at Pinehill

Stephanie & Andy's seat in the corner

 Some of us enjoyed a hot cup of tea,  some coffee, soup and some even poutine once back in North Bay and sensing Andy sitting on the stool in the corner of the lunch counter just smiling at us.  One of his favourite staff, Stephanie, shared with us how she'd driven her boyfriend's ATV the previous weekend, crashed, totalled the ATV but walked away with nothing but a sore wrist.  She was convinced she was protected in ways heaven sent.  Needless to say, we agreed whole heartedly.  The girls still tear up when we visit and recall Andy's larger than life presence at Pinehill.

As we packed up our things Sunday morning, we acknowledged this was likely to be out last visit to what has been known as Andrew's house for over 15 years.  He is now at rest and we no longer need to occupy his space to retain our memories of him.  We can now do so anywhere knowing he is happy with everyone's part in his final goodbye.  For me, an especially important lesson was gained.  Something, once again, my head has known but never felt in my heart in such a way as that Saturday, October 6, 2018.  By declaring my inability to organize Andrew's farewell gave a gift of infinite, heartfelt joy to those who took an active part in doing so.   I will never know, nor should I, other than the joy in my own heart, of how they might feel.  I'm almost overwhelmed at what must have taken place between Mike and one of Andy's friends who Mike talked to when deciding on where, what and how.  Imagine being asked by family of a friend, for advice on such a deeply intimate matter and then to have those suggestions followed.  And who knows who else was given the same gift since Mike didn't share many of the details or conversations with me.  I feel so honoured to help facilitate what will hopefully be lifelong memories for some of these people who cared so deeply for my brother.  It was only possible by daring to show my vulnerability that God could work through others to make it such a perfect day.

The other evening, after months of monkeys jumping around in my brain, a very clear cut means of fulfilling one of Andrew's wishes came to mind.  Think of it like something being totally muddied only to be rinsed clean in the snap of a finger.  It was to notify his email contacts he has 'Gone on the Long Ride.  Remember here you're reading the words of a techno peasant.  What seemed almost miraculous was how simply it came to me.  Alone at home, I decided to start at a certain time, did what I thought would work and within two hours had the job done, complete, finito.  I had to use his computer which I'm totally unfamiliar with.  No matter.  Best part, I've already received at least four responses from people who did not know of Andrew's passing, who shared stories and photos of how much they admired and respected him.  God is good.

On that note I will leave you with one more God wink for consideration.  I've been in contact with a woman for several months who was interested in speaking to someone who was Catholic as she had decided to return to church as a result of a hospital stay where she met the Chaplain.  We visited a few times, kept in touch by phone and email.  Just before leaving for Gatineau I called to see if she was up for a visit since she had entered Palliative Care in hospital.  She wasn't up for it but said to 'come quick.  I think I'm on the last mile.'  Her friend told me they'd call when she felt well enough for a visit.  Yesterday's paper included her obituary.  She passed away the same day as Andrew's send off.  A date I'll never forget.  May she rest in peace.

Take care, keep well and God Bless,
Hugs,
Liz

dobbsjones@gmail.com

"Prayers wrapped in faith and sent with love are the greatest gifts we can receive."