Colombe (Bette) Daudelin June 22, 1926-Dec. 2, 2014
Dear Mom,,
I think of you when I walk through a mall and get a whiff of your scent which sends me back in time…I want to follow the scent without feeling like a stalker…aw, how you are missed!
Today I shared with a colleague/friend where you got your nickname of Bette. I must send her a photo to show how much you did look like Bette Davis. And you will never guess what! At lunchtime, I watched an old Johnny Carson clip and Bette Davis was his guest!! The Great Spirit sure works in mysterious ways.
Colombe (Bette) Daudelin
Wish you could see my kids now and how they’ve become amazing adults and parents. You left knowing only one grandson who is now 21…a handsome young man. Your granddaughter is looking more and more like you. She had a beautiful wedding two years ago with a dress you would have chosen for sure! It was very 1950’s glam!
Oh how you’d love your grandson’s wife; they brought a photo of you for their wedding which they placed on a small altar on the beach. During the ceremony the wind flew the picture to the ground. We all laughed feeling your presence.
You would love his wife. She is so much like you…loves designer clothes and high end fragrances. She even talks like you! They now have two beautiful children…yes, a girl who is five and a boy who is three. You would probably pinch their cheeks at least once and I could easily see you on the floor playing with them.
Thinking of you so much today, Mom…the last day I spent with you and just passed midnight tonight will be 11 years you have left this earth but never our hearts. Love you so much!
Miss you always Even when you pinch my cheeks Until the next time See you where we’ll laugh and dance Jitterbug and rock’n roll
He crawled on his hands and knees and made me laugh; he tickled me until my tummy muscles hurt; he took me on car rides in wooded areas…just he, me and
my sister. He played the mean old man just for fun so he could quickly turn into my saviour and took me in his arms to rescue me. He was my saint and still is my saint to whom I pray when I feel frightened and vulnerable…Merci, Grand-Papa! You also passed Father’s Day weekend, giving me, every year, time to truly thank you for being in my life.
He pushed me and encouraged me and instilled determination and hard work. He believed in me and knew I was smart and could do better. He wanted more than me sometimes and yet, he made me see my potential. He was fond of me and even named his daughter after me. Thank you Mr. Lagacé, for being a teacher who saw more in me than I could fathom…I succeeded despite many obstacles…I DID it and you planted the seed.
He looks upon me with pride; the love he feels is overwhelming. He’s gentle; he’s funny and makes me feel so special. I even feel a bit possessive with he has girlfriends and wonder if I will lose my place…he protected me from wolves and walked me down the aisle as my “dad” at my wedding. He will always be a Dad to me. Bonne Fête des Pères, Bernie.
How I loved my Fridays after school! I’d go with Jane and have supper with her family. If I was late or did not go, he would say,”Where is Lynn? It’s Friday!” He taught me to be proud of my slender (lanky to me silhouette); He convinced me to stop nail-biting so I could one day show off my engagement ring on my finger. (That actually worked at the young age of 13!) He counted me as one of his daughters…for a night or two or three sometimes…Thank you, Mr. Wilkins for making me feel special.
He took me for my first drink after winning a college scholarship at 17 years old. He stood by Mom when I walked down the aisle, with pride. He paced the floors for hours when I was in labour…he was always there…Thank you Fred for making Mom feel so loved and for being a Dad to me. You left us June 18th and making this year even more memorable, on Father’s Day. I love you and still miss you, Fred.
It took me 45 years to feel that specialness a “Dad” can bestow on an older daughter. Remember those teenage years and young adulthood when you were in love? Remember when your father wanted to “check him out” to make sure your heart would not be broken. Well, I was a late bloomer! I remember when I lived with my aunt and uncle and sometimes I would hang up the phone and say, “Oh, gee I have a date. What am I going to wear?” He would smile and sit on the couch with his lovely mate (Ma Tante Mae) who was as excited as me. The fashion show would commence and he’d look, smile and sometimes raise an eyebrow. The raised eyebrow was probably a more sexy outfit 😉 He would tell me discreetly, “Be careful not to fall head over heels too quickly and get hurt.” To which I would say, “I may need your shoulder to cry on if that happens.” And I did and he was there. Thank you Uncle Fred for being such a cool and understanding dad!
And Dad, no matter how distant our relations were over the years, I still remember how special I felt if you would “Wink” or say, “How’s it going, Kiddo?” and my heart would melt. I know you were always proud of us and in those last few years you mellowed and you let me see a softer side of you. I love you, Dad!
Happy Father’s Day to fathers world wide and for those special men who really make a difference with their selfless love.
Her grandchild is tucked in, after an evening laughing playing cards and watching Netflix; he’s resting up for a tournament tomorrow morning. How silent the place feels all of a sudden. She had not realized just how quiet her home was…lacking life without her children. One gets used to the quiet not realizing what one is missing sometimes.
She saw an ant by the living room window…a sure sign spring is nearing summer. The heat is already getting to her with the ragweed gnawing at her sinuses. Her chest is heavy although she blames the pollution and the pollen of the old oak tree and ragweed. Yes, that’s it, dust and pollution.
(c) Clr ’15My grands, Mia and Heidi (sisters)
In July she will be house and pet sitting for a week in Rougemont, a small village known for its apple orchards. In the back yard there are very berry bushes, three apple trees, lilacs, rose bushes and a long yard for Mia and Heidi to run. The end of the yard is lined with various trees that give an illusion of being in the country by the forest. She likes to sit there at mid-day in the shade and cool breeze the leaves offer her. The girls have their spot in the shade after they’ve had their time to play tag and play wrestle. They are sisters but fraternal twins. Mia is a Golden mix and Heidi is a German Shepherd mix. And she, is their Nana.
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apple blossoms
blessings in many forms
fingertips on silk
apple blossoms
fruitful
promises
blessings in many forms
Golden licks a hand
that pets her
Flowers and scented creams, bubble bath and loving company …to start with! Almost four hours setting up her elliptical exerciser, she has set in front of her patio window and then off to a Brazilian restaurant where meats are served on a stick …sirloin, lamb, bacon turkey, pork loin, chicken, filet mignon and roast beef…over and over and over they serve and just around dessert time… warm pineapple with brown sugar and cinnamon on a stick two dancers perform on each floor inviting patrons to join them.
The past whispers as she honours her sibling’s birthday; sitting by the water she inhales a hope for spring despite the ice covered lake. She feels her mother’s presence and together, they bathe in sun’s glory. She remembers how her uncle enjoyed ice fishing too, in those little cabins spread out on the lake. Ah those brave souls… fishing was only part of the experience, he used to tell her. That was not that long ago it seems. How important it is to embrace precious moments that become treasures stored for later.
Friday turned out to be a lovely sunny day. The wind was cool but that is the best kind when you have a long way to walk and still feel refreshed. The fast melting snow had created mini ponds on sidewalks, you had to walk on the soppy grass but even a little water in your boots was not enough to be upset. It was such a delight to feel spring in the air. She passed an elm tree and heard birds chirping. She stopped to look up but could not find any bird, no nest, no bunched up leaves …where on earth could they be? she thought.
This entire day was like creating a chocolate sunday. The ice cream was the melting snow, the chocolate were huge glimpses of the earth, finally!! The whipped cream was her daughter and son-in-law, and three grandsons having her over for a birthday celebration dinner .
love, hugs and kisses brightens a red cherry heart, uplifts the soul
She had spent a lazy weekend resting and soaking in tranquil solitude. Her son dropped by briefly unexpectedly. It was a pleasant surprise. It seemed to re-energize her and she later took the time to prepare her dinner with Indian spices and lots of vegetables spread over a bed of quinoa.
Tournesol dans un Jardin 