I do have fun sometimes too…
Someone near and dear to me said my blog is a bit of a downer. He was joking of course, but I can’t disagree. I think it serves the subject matter well–but, it seems, at the expense of sharing lighter … Continue reading
Category: family
On Hallowe’en I lied about it for the first time
Angus went trick-or-treating with some friends. Had a fantastic time, in a neighbourhood that goes all out with decorations. He had deliberated about his costume for weeks: a T1000 (you know. . . the liquid guy in Terminator 2); a … Continue reading
The day before the day
Tomorrow is the first anniversary of Owen’s death. I’m going underground for a few days. Angus has taken me up on my offer to take the day off as well, although he’s already warned me he may or may not … Continue reading
Mount Pleasant
Michael and I decided over the summer that it was time to make arrangements for Owen’s ashes, which are currently in an urn at Michael’s home. We visited Mount Pleasant cemetery yesterday, in mid-town Toronto. We purchased a niche – … Continue reading
Owen’s birthday trip
We’re in London UK and sadly, leave tomorrow… What a fantastic city this is! We did everything and yet barely scratched the surface. Highlights: London Eye, Victoria and Albert Museum, Spitalfields and Brick Lane markets, dinner at Ottolenghi, dinner at … Continue reading
Commemorations
Owen’s 13th birthday is in 2 weeks, on August 18. We’ll be in London UK at the time for a 10-day vacation. We’ve decided to go up in the London Eye that day because Owen would have loved it. I … Continue reading
Accommodations (excerpt)
“Whatever you do don’t move north of Steeles.” Our house had grown too small and it was time to make a decision. Owen had recently acquired his first piece of large equipment – a standing frame. A huge apparatus with … Continue reading
It’s enough to break your heart wide open
Protector of free speech, outraged critic of injustice and defender of Bubbies everywhere. Angus is his champion, his pal, his biggest fan. More than this. He is his brother. Would he have developed self-consciousness about Owen? Would he ever have … Continue reading
Bubby and the Whale (excerpt?)
One of my brothers lives in Los Angeles and has been in the US since starting college. When we were all younger, he would come home to Canada for Christmas holidays. But once marriage and babies entered the mix we … Continue reading
A meandering rant about how more is less and less is more
School. Make-work, fake-fun, baby-sitting. Some nice moments, but probably not what you think. One such moment: he went out for recess with an older boy, and watched while his assigned ‘buddy’ shot a few hoops. Cool, I thought. Owen probably … Continue reading
The pirate (excerpt?)
There was no denying it, my boy was unusual. Big round head, like Charlie Brown. Unblinking eyes with impossible eyelashes, like Tweety Bird. He was stiff and floppy at the same time, like one of those dolls with fabric bodies … Continue reading
Some things are funny only with hindsight (excerpt?)
Sometimes movie trailers show bits of the story line in a narrative arc. You get a sense of the beginning and middle, and of course you are left hanging about the end until you see the movie. I have seen … Continue reading
Brothers, vacations and wheelchairs
We used to vacation as a family at Severn Lodge, a lovely little family-run resort on the Trent-Severn waterway, a couple of hours north of the city. These photos were taken during one of those vacations, in 2004, and are … Continue reading
Los Angeles
We headed to LA just after Christmas and returned last night. We were visiting my brother and his family. It was unseasonably cold but there were many days of sunshine, allowing us to enjoy the landscape and crisp air. Owen … Continue reading
A few days away
I took Angus to Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic. Beautiful weather, lovely resort, great adventures… and a needed break away from home. It wasn’t terribly relaxing (which may explain why I came home with shingles?!) but certainly worth every … Continue reading