Anne's move to Rosedale

Dad's memorial service was held on Saturday, Feb. 7th. The following Monday, Val and I started the task of packing up Willow Way and getting Mum ready to move to Rosedale, her new digs. It was hard work, it was fun and it was oh-so rewarding. 

Anne was a total trouper who made fast decisions about what to keep, what to toss and what to pass along. 

Val spent hours packing up books for the local library, and more hours packing up toys for the neighbours, and more  hours packing up donations for pick-up by the Cerebral Palsy association. The driveway was half-filled (just about) with the boxes for CP. 

In addition, friends and neighbours all stepped forward to claim their favourite table or sofa or piece of art. Between the whole community village, we winnowed down the possessions to a manageable quantity that the movers then trucked over to Rosedale. 

These pics give  you a sense of Mum's new apartment on the third floor; it faces north/north-west and is well situated to view life on the street. Val and I spent three nights there and, by the time we left on Sunday the 22nd, it was beginning to feel like home to Anne. Phew! 

This week, Katy is there with Mum getting her truly settled in. Putting pictures and paintings up on the wall is something that will happen next. 

The entry way; front door is right behind you (as it were). 

From the kitchen looking across the half-wall towards the living room. 

Bedroom, where that box in the right corner has now been replaced with a snazzy new desk from IKEA - see below. 

The apartment is just 631 sq feet, so each room has multiple functions; the bedroom will serve as a study/office, also. 

Mum reading the weekend paper; that red chair will be replaced by a new reclining arm chair come spring. 

Jennifer came for supper on Friday. The four of us easily fit into the living room for conversation before the meal. Jennie is sitting on the new sofa bed that Val and I bought for Mum from Sears in Winnipeg and which was shipped to Edmonton from their warehouse in Calgary! 

From the living room into the kitchen; it's a good size, so easy to get around with a walker. 

Colin's memorial service in pics

The memorial service for Colin was held in Edmonton on Saturday, February 7th, and it was a lovely afternoon. The three children spoke, as did family friends Craig and Barbara and Jane, and Al tied it all together by singing 'To everything there is a season' accompanied by his guitar. Stories were told, tears were shed, laughter was shared, and food was eaten. I'm pretty sure that Dad would have enjoyed it! 

Some of us then gathered at the house for more conversation and refreshments. These pics below capture, I think, the warmth of the event. 

Many thanks to everyone who was there in person and many thanks to those of you who ate a chocolate biscuit in Colin's honour that afternoon!

Amanda

Katy

Charles

Max and Sam, Charles and Lisa's sons, acting up with the calendars that Colin and Katy made together at Christmas for the last several years. All full of family pics and put together by Dad on his computer, with Katy assisting from a distance. 

Ann Tweddle, friend extraordinaire, with Anne Le Rougetel

Charles, Amanda and Katy

The three Le Rougetel kids with their partners and nephews: (from left) Val, Charles, Guy, Lisa. Val, Katy, Amanda, Sam. Max in front. 

The whole family, with Mum reigning as the matriarch in the chair. 

Moving on

Colin as a boy,
sketched by his mother, Molly,
who was an artist

Just a short post to let you know that we will mark Dad's death by celebrating his life on February 7th.

It will be a historic event in more ways than one, as it will be the first time since 1993 that the siblings have all three been together - with their partners and, in my brother's case, children, too. It will be a moment to be captured on camera!

The family house has been sold and Mum will be moved into her new senior's suite by mid-March. Val and I will help with the move, and Katy will follow along to tie up the loose ends.

New beginnings all round.

Think of Colin on the afternoon this coming Saturday, and enjoy a good chocolate biscuit in his memory. He loved to have one...well, just about any time, but certainly with afternoon tea.