A Golden Time

Soaking up, gratefully and with all my heart, the special, magical innocence, harmony and happiness that fills the home when a sweet little child, a newborn baby, devoted parents and lots and lots of love are there. (Lots of work, too, let's face it; and it's all worth it.)
"There is beauty all around, when there's love at home."

Peace River

the Peace River

It was a whirlwind week. News came on Monday that Ray had died that morning. I really wanted to go and be there to honor Ray, and be with the family. John helped me look for tickets, and the next morning I was off, bound for Edmonton to meet up with Michaela and join her for the five hour drive from there northward.
Peace River now holds a special spot in my heart and our hearts; our dear brother Ray's home for the last ten years or more. It's so sad, and we can't believe that Ray is gone. We honor his devoted partner Eva, and Ray's great kids and their families; as well as Martha, the mother of his children and the love of his youth.

At the ferry over the Peace in June 2008, when Ursula and our brother Chris flew to Canada for Ray's daughter's wedding.  The brothers had not seen each other for many, many years.

At the wedding

Ray and Martha and the kids in ca. 1988. Miles was not born yet.


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Eva shared some of her Inuit background and culture with me, and it was heart-warming to be able to learn to love that part of Ray's life, too. His children also are grounded in their culture and family, and are loving and very supportive to one another and their dad.

It was hard to say good-bye.

PS 'Inuit' is plural. The singular is 'Inuk'. The word for 'white person' is Kablunak. Eva's mother's father was a RCMP from Ireland, so the middle name they gave her is Kablunak, since she was light skinned.