Time has a way, you know, of escaping. My sisters asked me a while ago to get a letter of thanks ready. So here it is. The draft I did a couple of months ago. But I guess “behind” for me is right on schedule. This morning I reread the sympathy cards, all 89 of them. Those were the ones I got, to say nothing of the personal and phone messages. How can you get so many beautiful cards and only two duplicates? But as always, I digress. The words all were such a tribute to Mum’s life, and of course, we would like to thank everyone for their kindness (always), caring and thoughtfulness and, as Sis Susan said, “Angels without wings.”

Number one is, First Response, for their instant help whenever needed. The nurses who are so patient and caring. The doctors. The many friends and shoulders. Family, what a blessing to be a part of such a wonderful one. Neighbours and food, just super, especially to Chris, Trisha and Danielle, who organized a wonderful dinner for us all at Susan and Simon’s place. I have no idea how many were there, but their huge house was full both nights. A very special thanks to Lynda Garniss and Lyle Dewar. To Sherry and Jeff, who were with their grandmother when she passed away. To the grands, Anita and Paula, Sherry and Jeff who spent nights with granny Jean before her hospital stay. The grands, great-grands. The overnighters, the open houses. Visits at the apartment and hospital. To Gloria and her team at Island Funeral Home. For all the floral tributes and beautiful comments. To Martin Garniss for his pastoral care and tribute to Aunt Jean. To Diana for her clean church. For the Tehkummah Hall and food provided there. For our wonderful musicians who gave their time to provide music the day of the funeral (The Islanders, Kim and Lori, too). I’m probably missing something special, but with love and gratitude from the bottom of our hearts. We have been blessed.

The McCauley Family,

Pat, Peg, Pauline, Mollie and Susan

I have to add a special note to acknowledge all the time my sisters Susan and Pauline spent with Mum her last few weeks. They had to be quite exhausted, and to the girls, too, for all the cleaning etc. they did at Mum’s apartment. My thanks and love,

Pat

Easter Monday and good things are still happening. The Easter Bunny came to my door with a lily and orange for smacking (chocolate) (lip smacking too!)

I popped my head through the door; the rest of me didn’t want to go in! Dorothy Cronk is home again from her trip to the Orient and is really ill with an awful cold, felt so bad for her. I didn’t even stay long enough to ask her how the trip went.

Wednesday, spent my early hour on the phone, didn’t figure anyone would come out for cribbage today anyway, but just in case I should be doing stuff and I am. I’m recopying poetry this morning. I sure have an awful lot to do again. Then I found some in a book from 2013. I amaze me!

I feel sorry for the hundreds of little birds in my back yard fighting the storm of the day or is it the “Storm of the Season.” We knew winter wasn’t over, didn’t we? Tara and Ray and Lori and Rick are battling the highways as I write this, with Sudbury appointments. Hopefully the worst is right here, in downtown Tehkummah. Talking to Dorothy C this morning; she sounded so much better, thank goodness.

Wednesday, cancelled our cribbage due to the storm.

Bid euchre, Thursday afternoon. Three tables plus one: first place, Donna Corbett, 200; second, Betty Jean, 197; third, Squirt, 173; low, Joshua; door, Marg C.; 50/50, Hugh.

A welcome home dinner for Skylar on Thursday evening at their home.

Friday, snow. Had the laziest day ever. Saturday, a little more productive, copying poetry, built a book for Skylar’s birthday. Supper in the evening, most delish pork dinner. Skylar made her own birthday cake, pineapple upside down. Yum. 12 candles. I haven’t had my Marble and Gingers party yet. They are exactly the same age as Skye (to the hour).

Scads of sandhill cranes today, Sunday. A couple of turkey vultures soaring. Pauline said she had woodcocks in her yard on a miniscule patch of bare ground. I saw bluebirds last week. They’ll have their work cut out for them trying to find insects flying these days. Hope the small creatures survive the cold and snow.