Goodbye Bill...

This is a post that I never wanted to write. It is to say goodbye to a friend of almost 40 years. We met in Doyle House in MUN's undergrad residence. We married two women who were sisters and each had three children, two boys and a girl in that order.

Bill was one of those people who always seemed to know what he wanted and how he would get it. His ambitions were modest as was he. He taught high school in his hometown of Corner Brook where he settled with his wife Peggy to raise their three children.

Bill had that unique ability to separate work and leisure. In the summer he kicked back and relaxed. In the rest of the year he was intensely engaged in his career but always there for his family. He found that rare gift of a balanced life. He and Peggy were what is becoming incredibly rare, a married couple who made it work. They were together over 34 years and had so much to celebrate and be proud of.

Bill died today, finally losing the battle with cancer that had consumed their lives since his retirement just a few short years ago. So I have to grieve for Bill and Peggy and Rob, and Daniel and Sarah. I also have to grieve for myself because I have lost that rare gift of a lifelong friendship.

But grieving is not enough for someone as special as Bill. I also have to find a way to celebrate his life because it deserves celebration and honour. That is what the living must do.

Bill I will never forget your easy smile, your quirky humour and your gentle soul. My life is so much richer for having known you my friend and so much poorer for your loss. I am grateful to have the memories of times past. I just wish we could make more of them together. Tonight I will light a candle for you to guide you home.

Time keeps on tripping into the future...

Marvin Gaye had it right and I feel that when I look at the dates just going by in a blur. Next week I have my very last classes for my course work in my Masters. I am already busy working on my final papers and in a few months I will be faced with a whole different life.

I don't even know what continent I will be on after August and it is both thrilling and scary. The last time I felt anything close to this was 40 years ago when I was contemplating finishing high school and I believed all the world was my oyster. I have both learned the limits and the possibilities of life and now my enthusiasm has be restored beyond my expectations.

One thing I do know - I will never again allow myself to be constrained by other people's expectations or limitations. Wherever I go and whatever I do my choices will be my own. Others may travel along with me but it is my path and I intend to follow it to the end of my days.