MERRY CHRISTMAS TO MY FRIENDS

It has been both an inspiring and difficult year, as life makes no apology, and yet it has been a curious and strange adventure down so many previously unexplored avenues. The death of my father Ed just over a year ago, an illness that worsened over the Christmas period, made it a particularly difficult time for everyone.......and it was impossible to put business on a back burner regardless of the situation. With recessionary times, our boys, who run a music business in Gravenhurst, could ill afford much time off because of commitments and necessity.....all by the way known by their grandfather, who although gravely ill, told them to stick with their workplace, and that he’d be okay. Well, he wasn’t okay but we knew what he meant.

Ed had lived into his eighties and having enjoyed a rigorous life, having been a member of the famed North Atlantic Squadron, in the Second World War, he was ready to meet up with his wife Merle, who had passed several years earlier. Settling the estate was a much shorter process than it had been for my wife’s father Norman, of Windermere, (Lake Rosseau), who had been a wooden boat restorer for most of his life, and had a massive collection of tools and cottage relics to deal with for most of a year. Ed and Merle kept a modest household, so settling it was fairly simple. It doesn’t mean we didn’t have tearful moments but our recovery began much sooner, as we were able to deal with the new reality while sitting comfortably at home. With Norman’s estate we were working non-stop until every last piece was allocated, and in that case, auctioned off, as had been his request.

But still we arrive at this point, having had a pretty balanced year with many triumphs mixed into the other less contenting events. We are looking forward to a passive, comfortable Christmas season, which will follow an event we, as a family, are promoting at the Gravenhurst Opera House, on December 18th, as a musical variety show to fundraise for the Salvation Army Food Bank, presently in great need of donations. It takes months for our boys, Andrew and Robert to organize, with their many talented musician friends, but it stretches into the family, as my wife and I become event roadies. After this project we are exhausted but pleased to be able to turn over a nice donation to kind people.....who are helping the less fortunate amongst us, twelve months each year.

Our family wishes to extend a hearty Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, to all who occasionally or inadvertently join this blog. It means a lot to us, to have such good friends.

Bless you all.