Well, we bundled all four kids (plus Edward) onto the plane yesterday afternoon, so they can begin their much anticipated almost month long sojourn at The Cottage in Shediac.
We always travel Porter airlines; firstly because they offer the shockingly serendipitous direct flight between Ottawa and Moncton. But just as importantly, they offer beer as soon as you're airborne. When you're travelling alone with four small children, alcohol + altitude = enough serenity to almost overlook the fact that you're travelling alone with four small children. You know it's bad when the gate attendants struggle to make sense of: "Yes, they're all going. No, I'm not going with them. Yes, he'll be alone with all of them", and eventually manage to gasp "Wow... alone".
And then, my friends, my mother (who also accompanied us to the airport) and I might have danced a small (very sad, very mournful) jig, and told each other that we would wait to see them actually board the airplane just so we can cast one more loving gaze at those sweet little children... when secretly, I think we both wanted to make sure they absolutely, 100% got on said aircraft. Or else. And then my mother and I ran to the mall, where I bought a freezer and my mother might have had a (not at all) celebratory ice cream cone.
So yes, for the first time in over five years, I am alone at home for more than 3 hours. Well, Sprocket is my companion, but he is presently alternating between staring at the front door and staring at me, wondering where everyone has gone. This is after he frantically searched the entire house numerous times yesterday, looking for them. Or perhaps he, too, has been cast aloft by the Wings of Liberty and is, in fact, keeping a close eye on that front door to ensure they don't come back... too soon. Yes, perhaps. Eventually, I will join Edward in New Brunswick, as will my mother, and Sprocket will be treated to his vacation at Myriam's house. This is the ideal win-win-win situation, and I have a ton to do before I leave. But for now, tea and blogging is the order of business!
On that note, I wanted to thank all of you who came to my father's celebration of life on Saturday. I am thrilled it unfolded so smoothly, and was so well attended. I am particularly pleased for my mother, as what better tribute to my father than to have people share their happy memories of him? The tone was light and joyful and truly focussed on his life, which was our hope, as my father would have greatly appreciated that, over a somber ceremony that focussed primarily on his death.
I think it is a true testament to his personality that people who may seem, at first glance, to have been peripheral in his life - the family who ran his favourite Vietnamese restaurant, the pool desk receptionist, his dentist and dental hygenist - made the effort to come and share in his celebration. My father had the gift of making no one in his life feel "peripheral". He was genuinely interested in everyone he engaged in conversation; a function of both his energetic curiosity and his empathetic nature. He cared. And those people in attendance on Saturday clearly reciprocated and amplified his caring.
A very heartfelt appreciation to those who came to support my mother - and me. As much as my sister, mother and I have heavily leaned on each other in the past few months, there is something about a "bosom friend", to quote Anne of Green Gables, whose mere presence can do so much to uplift, steady and nourish. There were my mother's friends in attendance who where at Lake Louise, that summer of '62, when my parents met for the first time. There were friends of mine whom I have known since Grade 7.
Thank you so much for being there.
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