Heroes

There are many types of heroes.  When you are little heroes are your parents and when you have children they are your kids.  Heroes are the four officers that died in the line of duty.  Heroes are those who stand up for what is right or don't think about themselves when they see that someone else needs them.  Last week one of our young constables selfishly ran into a burning house to save the life of another.  I shutter to think what could of happened to this young man who I have kind of adopted as part of our family.  I am thankful that all were okay but I did have to give him a little lecture on being careful.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/woman-pulled-from-burning-home-by-rcmp-officer-1.2681822

Heroes are special people.  They come in all shapes, sizes and age.  I bet you have a few in your family.  Be sure and thank them for their work and remind them them that they don't always have to be the hero because you want them around for a long time and that you love them for who they are and proud of them for what they do.

Who is that mystery hero hiding in that helmet?

Longest Day of the Year!

Today is not the best kind of day for being the first day of summer.  It is dark and rainy here but I thought I would share a few fun facts for my few followers. 

A few months ago we bought an ipad and have had great fun playing with it and discovering new little tools....like apps.  One of the apps that we use is Find Friends, since we don't ever travel too far we watch Jenn travel around the Kingston and Gananoque area and Stephen scoot around Whitehorse.  Yes, I know what you are thinking...."I need a life!" but really...my kids are my life so it is all relevant.

So this is our family picture on Find Friends:

 

We are almost in the middle.  Stephen is 1961 km northwest and Jenn is 2251 km southeast.

 

Since it is the longest day of the year here are the stats:

• Jenn had sunrise at 5:22 a.m. (I doubt she saw that!) and sunset at 8:53 p.m. which gives her a total of 15 hours and 31 minutes of sunshine.
• We had a sunrise at 5:09 a.m. (Ron got in just before this) and sunset is at 10:27 p.m. which gives us a total of 17 hours and 18 minutes of sunshine.
• Now Stephen, well he has a total of 19 hours and 9 minutes of sunshine since sunrise for him is at 4:27 a.m. and the sun doesn't go down until 11:36 p.m.  That sure makes for a short night.
• And Swift Current people, I won't leave you out.  The sun peeked out at 4:59 a.m. and says goodnight at 9:25 p.m. which is a total of 16 hours and 26 minutes of sunshine.

So there you have it some distance and weather information.  That certainly should help you if you get stuck in an elevator and need some small talk to pass the quiet awkward moments.

 

Happy Summer!

 

Happy Birthday Jenn!

Twenty-five years ago I was awaken in the night for the first time by Jenn.  My due date was July 4th but Jenn had her own timing and she decided it was now...3 weeks early.  She arrived on Thursday, June 15th just in time to make Ron a father on Father's Day that Sunday and he certainly was a proud one.

Two years later Jenn was in a wedding and was the best little flower girl and obviously the cutest.

She was always our little princess and loved to dress up pretty. 

She tried her hand in sports by first playing baseball, skating lessons, soccer and basketball.  She also took piano lessons and seemed to enjoy learning new songs.  She loved to sing and was involved in Young Choristers when we were in Sharbot Lake and part of the worship team in Frankford.

Jenn always loved to work hard and was thrilled to get a job at Canadian Tire and took her job very seriously.


It seemed like the years flew by and before we knew it she was graduating from high school.  I loved having my kids close and I hated how quickly the time went by.

Jenn is a busy mom now with four beautiful children.

Yes, Jenn has grown up but in the words of Robert Munsch:

 

“I’ll love you forever,
I’ll like you for always,
as long as I’m living
my baby you’ll be.”

Happy Birthday Jenn!        

 

Love you forever and always!                                             

Flowers Make Me Smile

Last night at 9:30 the doorbell rang.  Ron was working and so I wasn't too eager to answer the door but then I recognized the voice of one of Ron's partners.  When I unlocked the door and pushed open the door there stood Dan with a boyish smile holding out flowers for me. 

Well anybody that knows me knows that flowers are one of my favourite things.  Ron has always spoiled me with flowers.  Wherever we lived he would find the best price for flowers and would often have them on the table when I would come home.  I remember once when we were living in Peterborough he bought a whole bunch of roses (at a good price) and put them in every room of our apartment.  Everywhere I looked there were roses.

But the best flower story I have is when Ron went away for six months to depot.  It was such a lonely time.  He left on a Sunday and I dragged myself to work on Monday.  Later that day there was a delivery to the school where I worked.  One rose from Ron to me.  It made me cry.  How thoughtful but then the next Monday another rose was delivered and so it went on every Monday another rose arrived.  The florist got very creative.  I got different variety of roses and different colours but every Monday I went to work in anticipation of that rose.  Okay, I married a romantic. 

In Swift Current, Ron would often get the groceries while I was working and I would come home to a dozen roses and they always made me smile.

Since moving to Deschambault Lake I haven't had any fresh flowers.  We bought plants and they are flowering beautifully but then....

last night there stood Dan with a bouquet of daisies for me.  Why?  Because I feed him so many meals.  Well, I say I got the best end of the deal.  I love to cook for the boys and I love flowers.

Some people would say that flowers are a waste of money....not me.  I was thrilled last night with the delivery and every time I walk by them I smile.  Perhaps it would be a waste to send some people flowers if they don't appreciate it but for me it is never a waste....they make me smile.

Sea of Red

Our nation is mourning today for three men who lost their lives in the line of duty.

We can feel removed from the situation because we did not know them personally but then we hear about who they were.  Three men who wanted to help others.  Three husbands to mourning wives.  Three fathers who left children behind.  They were sons and friends.  They were co-workers.  They were police officers who put their lives on the line to protect others.

I will sit in front of the tv today watching the funeral for these precious men. 

When I see the sea of red serges I know that my eyes will well up. 

Perhaps this hits me harder because there is a red serge hanging in our closet and I know the risk is always there. 

Today I will wear my red in honour of the fallen and pray for the families of these heroes. 

Today I will be thankful that my husband is safe and tonight I will hug him just a little longer.

Today I will be thankful for life and my family.

Today I will pray.....

Heavy Heart

The news from Moncton has echoed through many homes yesterday and again today.  First the rumours and then the actual reports from the RCMP stating that five officers have been shot with three losing their lives in the line of duty.  It is such a heartbreaking time listening and thinking about what these families are going through.  My prayers don't seem like enough and yet I pray for the families affected, for those still out searching....for it to be over soon.

Many police officers will wear the blue cross today.  The looped blue over black mourning ribbon pinned at the center with a maple leaf badge is the national symbol for mourning peace officers who have died in the line of duty.  Ron left for work today wearing it.  I could not stop the tears as I watched him go thinking about those who went to work yesterday in Moncton expecting it to be just another routine day.

Today starts another day.  We don't know what it will bring.  Our hearts are heavy for the loss of three good officers who went to work expecting to do their job and come home.  The families of  these precious officers lives have been changed forever.  We pray for these families and their partners who have to deal with this pain and loss.  We also pray for the officers that have been wounded that they will recover physically and emotionally. 

 And Lord....please help it to be over soon!