Monday, April 4, 2022

Hi! We've been home 4 days now, from our 4 day Quesnel trip with our 2 Aunties. They've always held a special place in my heart, but even more so now. We enjoyed every minute with them, hearing stories we'd never heard before, and listening to them sing French songs their mother sang to them.

   The photo above was one of the gems we discovered while visiting my cousin Jeannette, in Quesnel.  Jeannette & Therese's family moved to Prince George probably not too long after this photo was taken. Then, the girls were sent down to Maillardville to live with our Memere & Pepere when they were in their mid-teens. What a wonderful opportunity, once again to grow together in the 'fun' teen years. There has never been a visit of story-telling, that did not include memories of those crazy teen years. Every other day, someone posts yet another photo, marking the fun of the 1950's.

  Sadly, Therese died last fall. I posted a beautiful video of her great-grandson dancing with her to the song "Forever Young!" His note with the video was "She didn't remember who we were, except that she loved us!" Jeannette of course misses her sister terribly. For a few years now, travel has not been possible for one or the other, but the 'girls' kept on trying to figure out how they could make a visit happen.

  As I mentioned before, Larry & I planned to visit his Aunt Rosie & Cousin Laurie in Williams Lk., so carrying on to Quesnel wasn't even a question. When we suggested it to the aunts, they were over the moon, and so was Jeannette. She and Jack have 6 children & lots of grands & great-grandchildren. I love that Jeannette says how blessed and happy she is that every single one of them is a kind person. So many different personalities with kindness in common. Those apples did not fall far from the tree. Jeannette & Jack have always been exactly that.

  We continue to be thanked be members of the family for making the visit happen. The pleasure is definitely all ours! We received so much joy, that it was not a sacrifice at all, but a grace-filled gift for us to encounter all that we did.

  What resonates the most with both Larry & I, is the great love our aunts have always had for each other, as sisters and that love shared with their nieces (my cousins). Just the thought of being in the same company makes my heart smile.

   Our visit to Williams Lk. for lunch, with Larry's aunt & cousin, once again filled us with so much appreciation for the love of a devoted daughter caring for her mother, and a mother graciously allowing her daughter to do so. We called it a power visit, as we were only with them for a few hours, thoroughly enjoying each other.

  I may have repeated some of my recent post, but all this keeps playing over & over in my head, keeping a smile in my heart. Those 4 days will forever be a mark in the history of 'lovely events' that our family have enjoyed, over time.

  "Thank you God, for the wonderful gift you've given us to share with very special family!"

God bless you and your family, near & far!