Lake Louise with the Shaskeys

Flying Fox at Le Bons Bay, New Zealand

Our last weekend in New Zealand, we went to Le Bons Bay and stayed at Auntie Margaret's bach ("batch"=cottage) by the sea. Just having some time away to be together was what we needed and some time to think together about our thoughts on David's passing. While we were there we went to the flying fox...I totally think Canada is missing out on this stuff!

painting at 704 midglen gardens

So we found some paint for our living room.

IT was kinda scary cause the wall was originally white or cream or something.

I am over the fear and love the wall...what do you think? ( what a great painter!)

Sorry for the blurry picture...

Fish Creek Park Picnic and Bike Ride

Before lunch we packed a supreme picnic lunch, hopped on our bikes, and headed into the park. The weather was great--not too hot or windy or cool--:) I love the picnic spot, made me feel like we were camping somewhere farther away. A good day.

Happy Canada Day--Kiwi Style

Since we were in New Zealand for Canada Day, we celebrated there. Stefan barbecued some burgers in the cool weather (they thought it was really cold for bbq-ing, Canadians aren't afraid of zero degrees)

The meal was great, even though we pretended they were moose burgers. Fun stuff. Don't tell the government I used a flag for a tablecloth, thanks.

David Booth August 10, 1947-June 21, 2009

A phone call can change everything.

Saturday, June 20..asleep and the phone rang. Stefan's nightmare.

Ruth called to say his father died.

Shock.

David was driving his racecar at oxford speedway, "his last race", he said.

foot to the floor, rounding the corner, then a change---and the car made its own trail through the infield, across the curve, through the ditch, cleared a fence---at top speed...landing on tires safely between two cars--stopped by the fence pulling on the cars guts, ungluing cables--killing the power.

Jeremy (Stefan's brother) was there...running..running...into the car, no pulse, helmet off, seatbelts off, onto stretcher, no pulse, CPR....

time.

Time with David for Jeremy, and soon Kerri (his wife), and then Ruth...sweet wife....

And soon a phone call to sleeping Stefan in Canada...

GRIEF.

numbing pain, busywork, adrenaline, exhaustion, weariness, disbelief, and finally,

reunion at the airport, minus one.

we went to see David. but he just looked like him, but so clearly wasn't him.

same sweater, pants, hands, hairstyle....we talked to him, laughed, cried, shared, wondered at how huge the soul of a man is for the shell left behind.

the next day, laid to rest....carried in a cool, frosty morning.

sniffling, tears, sombre.

Young strong sons lead the way, helped by David's older brothers, friends...

Gently gently lowered to groundlevel...prayed for, and then slowly lowered into the earth hand over hand,

by his boys, his brothers, his boys, his brothers...

tears and sand sprinkled on his box. goodbye.

peace.

celebration. packed church. pictures of a life of smiles, adventure, family, building, love.

words of thanksgiving, praise, recognition, pride spoken.

and at the back, a guard of c grade racers, standing tall, quiet, solemn, proud of one they respected and appreciated.

the message of hope, that's what he'd want.

peace.

calaway park

We went to Calaway Park on Sunday with Deb, Kevin, and the girls. It was a great day, sunny and a small breeze...funny to watch the girls on rides. My stomach just isn't as tough as it once was...but I did the rollercoaster and the log ride and screamed my head off.I think this trip was a good balance from the day before. The ball tournament was fun, but the intensity of competition is too much for me. Cranky, competitive ball players...not my style. My favourite is seeing Stefan with little people, what a change..he used to be afraid of them? He doesn't have a choice now...the little girls LOVE him! So do I. :)