Goodbye to Ella

GOODBYE ELLA !

 

Ella said goodbye to her family and went to sleep for the last time today. She was loved and will be missed forever.

 

Rest now Ella.

Hidden Treasure

(SWP Feb 12, 2011)

She began sifting through the mountain of ‘stuff’ in the shed as the rain made swift-moving rivers on the window. Just a few minutes ago the sun shone brightly; she wasn’t sure how this sudden downpour had manifested so assuredly. She was sure though it had stolen her resolve to look through the boxes her dad had stored in this old shed. The pain of her dad’s death was fresh and it was going to be hard enough to open up these old memories, let alone try to do it on a dreary grey day in the rain. She would need the warmth and comfort of a beautiful sunny day to tackle this old shed. Her trek back to the house was slow even though the rain threatened and pelted down hard. In a way it felt like the rain was pounding on her sadness; appeasing it somehow.

Inside the house, after putting the kettle to boil, she picked up a piece of paper that seemed to have fallen from the mantle. It looked quite old & she feared tearing it as she tried to unfold it. As she unfolded it she found it to be just a plain piece of paper wrapped around a photo of what appeared to be a beautiful chest of some kind; the kind of chest that held the treasures stolen by the pirates at sea. On the back of the photo was written ‘heed the hidden place” and it was marked with a little squiggly heart, sort of like a signature of some kind. It didn’t seem to mean anything to her and she was thinking to toss it (heaven knows she already had enough paper to contend with) but something like a slight tap on the shoulder seemed to encourage her to place it back up on the mantle.

The tea kettle called so she headed out to the kitchen in answer. Soon it was singing and as she poured the water over the tea bag she noticed the sun was out again. It seemed the rain had stopped abruptly, the very same way it had begun. With any luck the boxes in the shed could be sorted by dinner time so, steaming hot mug of tea in hand, she headed back out to the shed.

There were boxes of clothes, a couple cartons containing Christmas decorations, several boxes of ornaments her dad had packed up when her mom had died, boxes of old canning jars, a garbage bag full of old shoes, an artificial Christmas tree, several small totes filled with tools, a few large garbage bags filled with returnable cans and bottles, various rakes, shovels and garden tools. Backed up to the shed was the truck she had rented to load up as she sorted then distribute to the goodwill or the garbage dump. She had almost filled the truck box and there was only a few things left in the shed. She was doing really well between moments of sadness and melancholy and small fits of laughter brought on by some of her discoveries. There was only a small pile of items she had segregated for further inspection which she would take into the house to take a closer look at and a few more items to sort through at the back of the shed.

She lifted up a big garbage bag full of miscellaneous items and what she uncovered left her speechless. Staring at the most beautiful chest she had ever seen, she realized it was the chest in the picture she placed back on the mantle in the house.

Lifting the lid slowly she felt another slight tap on the shoulder; her dad’s presence was compelling and tears were close to the surface as she sensed this chest was of particular significance for her. Inside she found nothing; an empty chest. Puzzled, she knelt down on the floor. Examining the chest from top to bottom, all sides, inside, she was ready to walk away when she again felt that slight tap on the shoulder, as if to remind her of something. Ah yes! She remembered the writing on the back of the picture “Heed the hidden space”. There will be a secret space that she must find; she was certain of it now. Over and over she scrutinized every inch of the chest for some sign of a hidden place.

Finally she found it; she noticed the slightest crack along the left side edge. She would need something with which to pry it open. As if meant for the job there was a small blade hanging on the wall just above her head. She slipped the blade alongside the crack, pried up and the whole bottom came up and she was able to see what was hidden underneath the false floor.

Tears fell as she looked at her mom’s and dad’s wedding rings, the beautiful heart shaped locket her dad had given her mom, her dad’s medals and most touching a photo album. Opening it up she found her past staring up at her, from the time her mom and dad met, their wedding, her birth and every little event and occasion following along the journey of her life, with accompanying stories and comments. She was speechless.

She sat for a long time smiling, laughing, weeping. A more beautiful treasure she could not have found. She would keep it forever and pass it on to her daughter as it had been passed along to her, of course with a few added chapters.

 

The Question Is.........?

It was  April 30 (Tuesday) and I was very excited to be picking up my granddaughter and her boyfriend from the airport........they were coming for a short visit. Plane arrived on time; we collected them, their luggage; drove home; they had a relax day on Wednesday; George & I worked; we went for Sushi after work......a nice start to their visit.

After Sushi that evening they wanted to walk on the beach at sunset so we headed to Whiterock and the beach. They walked along the beach while I took some pictures then they headed back in to take a few pictures with us. At the first opportunity Brodie (ring in hand, on bended knee) said to Shelby "I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you.......will you marry me?" We were all shocked but none more than Shelby........she was speechless for a time but then she said "YES!"........with tears all around George nudged me out of my shock saying "Grace, take a picture, take a picture!!". People watched from the walkway, then cheered when they realized what was happening. George said "Wow I've never been to a proposal before!" (As a matter of fact nor had I; it was very moving and romantic.) Way to go Brodie; you surprised everyone. No wonder you had been so quiet and reserved all evening; keeping that all to yourself!

So how can you top that one?.......I'm not sure!

Thursday we went to Granville island where Shelby got another of her purse/bags she likes so much. We had lunch then Shelby and Brodie bought some seafood to make seafood pasta for us for dinner. We came back home and they made a yummy dinner for us.

We went to Forks, Washington (Friday). That made Shelby's year (she said) to see the home of 'Twilight'. We walked and they romped on the beach at LaPush; took lots more pictures; spent the night; generally saw everything there was to see related to 'Twilight'; Shelby bought souvenirs. It was an enjoyable two days but lots of travel in a short time. We needed to be back home for Sunday though....(for the pic-a-nic).

A pic-a-nic it was for lunch on Sunday. Then back to the beach in Whiterock; ice cream; then back home to rest.

We had a baking and rest day on Monday. Made cookies and ate cookies and froze cookies!

Tuesday came too quickly and they had to head back to Edmonton. We stopped to have "all-you-can-eat" fish and chips before heading out to the airport to send them on their way. 

Thanks for coming to visit. We were so glad you were able to come spend some time with us; enjoyed having you both.

This is the poem I wrote in honor of your engagement:

Sunset on the Beach

I'd give anything in the world he was thinking

if that little girl with the red hair would

come sit with me, hold my hand

Not only will she sit with you

she will spend her life with you; cherish her; cherish him

The setting sun honored this your special day

As the walk on the beach was nearing its close

your world dwindled to exclude all else

locked in each other's arms

standing in a sunshine of your very own

Best friends pledged their love one to the other

As we affirmed the heartfelt scene before us

tears of happiness like droplets of rain

sprinkled cheeks in promise

Fading light blessed your engagement

On bended knee he offered lifetime commitment

Accepting a forever pledge of love, of sharing

she returned her own special promise

blessed by the sleeping sun
sheltered safe in the arms of creation

Your path will be filled with every circumstance

happiness, sunshine, sadness and raindrops

queries, surprises, shocks and knowing

accept each one as allotted

wrap them all, learn their intention

Hold fast to the memory, newness of this day

forever let it guide your journey together

see clearly choices, decisions, commitment

Let it allow who you are as two

enhance who you will be as one

Happiness always as you prepare for a lifetime together

For Shelby and Brodie,

on the occasion of your engagement

As this new stage of your life begins

I wish you both

health happiness and forever love
Love always, granny                          May 01, 2013