The Next Chapter

Today I am writing two posts. I wanted to write a special one just to Alvin as today is one week since he passed. The sun is shining and the temperatures are rising as I write these words. The house is empty as I listen to the furnace running keeping me warm and the click clack of my fingers on the keyboard. Time just keeps going. Every day since Alvin passed people have reached out to me. There is such love for my little four-legged companion. Many tears have been shed between us all and continue to fall. Forever in our hearts.

Thank you Gillian for popping by over your lunch break to bring a “lemon loaf” and for having coffee with me and just chatting. I appreciate your friendship and support.

Thank you Sara, Carson and Family for the lovely bouquet of flowers and to Sara for stopping by. Alvin would have loved all of the flowers as he always wanted to sniff them whether in the house or outside. He loved when it was springtime and I would be on the deck planting the flower pots.

Last night I was invited to friends Norbert & Irene for a visit. We talked and talked. About Alvin and about the loss of their son last year. So much hurt and so much joy. Irene and I even had several games of Connect Four. I did not win but that was okay. I joked that I was a good loser but in reality win or lose, I actually won to have such amazing people in my life. They sent me home with a gift of chocolate and a beautiful card. I do love chocolate.

Yesterday I always walked over to Alvin’s Doctors, to the clinic where he seemed to be on a very regular basis. I had some unopened items from the last week that I was able to return. Thank you to Brenne for your hugs and for loving Alvin. To Dr. Karen who was just about to go into surgery and could only give an air hug but for your kindness and your love for Alvin. To Michelle, whom I did not see as she was in the back with another beloved boy or girl, thank you for being there for Alvin and for loving my boy. They were family and I appreciate them.

Later in the day I had a conversation with Alvin’s Doctor Zhou from Guardian who answered some questions I had, lessening some of the guilt that I feel. They are so good at Guardian. Not only professional but have such hearts. Such a hard job but so rewarding.

The outpouring of love for my Alvin is real and I am so appreciative. Everyone is telling me stories about him and how much he touched their lives.

I need to get moving. A walk to Shoppers to pick up a Seniors Bus pass (cannot believe that I am a senior) and a few items from the grocery store. Good to get some fresh air. Alvin will be with me as he always is …….

My whole house reminds me of him and will continue to keep him in the forefront of my mind and he will always be in the majority of the real estate in my heart.

Thank you to my daughter and son-in-law for all they do and for their love and support each and every day.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.

Always, Carol & Alvin, my forever Angel.

Living … One day at a time.

Sunday, November 11, 2019.

Remembrance Day.

 

Today, Canadians and citizens worldwide remember their loved ones who paid the ultimate price of our freedoms with their lives.

Some of those brave souls came home after the war not whole; whether body or mind.

I say brave souls as it was not only the soldiers who gave up their lives but nurses, doctors, horses and dogs.

The loss of life, all life from the World Wars  I and II staggers the imagination.

Have we learned anything from WAR, I wholeheartedly say no.

 

Although I am not a proponent of fighting or war; I will say this that without our citizens leaving our country.

I am afraid the loss of life may have been higher.

I am proud that we as a country have filled the role of peacekeepers throughout the decades since these wars.

 

My wish is that someday soon we, the humans on this planet, shall learn to live peacefully.

That our differences will be our strengths.

That kindness and respect shall prevail.

That death due to wars of any size is a thing of the past.

 

Perhaps if we Remember …. their loss will not be in vain.

That war will be a memory of the past.

 

 

With Respect,

Always, Carol and Alvin Lewis

 

 

On this day, 35 years ago, a baby boy was born.

We were neighbours.

All these years later, I have and always will be known as Auntie Carol.

All these years later, he will always be known as my little boy.

Alvin and  I want to wish him a very Happy Birthday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 7th day of January, 2019.

Lots of snow outside this morning.

Poor Alvin did not stray too far from the back door.

I see shovelling in my immediate future.

Will try and do some shovelling before I leave for work.

Especially on the deck for Alvin.

I looked out the front window as I opened the blinds and it looks so pretty.

The freshly fallen snow.

As the street lamps shed their beams on the snow flakes they shone like beautiful diamonds.

So beautiful.

A great sight to behold early in the morning.

 

Yesterday Mr. Alvin and I had a lovely walk before I headed out to the baby shower.

It was wonderful.

I had not been to a baby shower in years other than at work.

There were over 20 ladies/women/girls; a table full of food and she was adorned with many beautiful gifts.

The new baby girl due to arrive in early February will not need for anything.

My friends, the proud Grandparents are leaving for Hawaii about the same time and are hoping that the baby arrives before they leave.

The trip has been booked for over one year.

They have already made temporary arrangements just in case …. the baby GIRL is late …… on time …… (depends on who you are – looking at it all).

They will not leave without saying hello to the newest grandchild.

Their daughter and son-in-law did not think (according to doctors) that they would ever have a baby.

SURPRISE.

Such a great story.

During the couple of hours or so I was at the shower; I chatted with two ladies that I did not know and also a neighbour of my friend whom I did know.

So it was great.

Lots of conversations.

Learning new things.

One of the gals had even in her early years applied at the same office as I am currently working but did not get the job as she did not have enough “experience.”

My how times have changed – now it is all about the education of which she has.

 

Anyway, time to get going here and do some shovelling.

Might as well get some more exercise.

Always have a few sets of stairs each morning before leaving the house.

Also watched the GOLDEN GLOBES last night.

I most especially enjoyed the award that Carol Burnett received.

The award will now be in her name for lifetime contributions to television.

VERY COOL, I love her.

By far one of the funniest people on the planet.

 

Okay time to fly.

Have an awesome Monday.

Special Hello to: Carol Burnett, I adore you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 8th day of October, 2017.

The morning is a cooler one with wind and deep blue clouds filling the sky.

Sunbeams no where to be seen.

 

I am so excited because today, Alvin and I have the pleasure to spend some time with our family …. my daughter, his sister, my son-in-law, his brother-in-law and the grand-pups Miss Aspen and Baby Milo.

We are always happy to spend time with this group of amazing beings.

I hope that wherever you are ….. whatever you are doing ….. that you are safe, warm, dry, that your belly is full of good food and you have access to clean drinking water.

May you always show your gratitude to those around you.

We need to be more grateful for others.

Grateful for the bus driver that drives you home from work, just doing their job.

Grateful for the cashier at the grocery store, standing all day, ringing through your items, just doing their job.

Grateful to all the truck drivers for spending hours and hours sitting driving all the things we need to the stores, just doing their job.

Grateful to all the rescue personnel for spending their days and nights keeping us safe, just doing their jobs.

Grateful to all the nurses and doctors for spending their days and nights tending to our wounds, just doing their jobs.

Grateful to have police officers for spending their days and nights keeping us safe, just doing their jobs.

Grateful for the city councillors out and about even on a long weekend, just doing their job.

Grateful for the men and women that keep the peace for our country and all around the world, just doing their job.

Grateful for all my neighbourhood children who think it was great fun to rake my leaves, no work at all, just being kids with no agenda.

Grateful for all of my FAMILY and FRIENDS, you are dear to me and Alvin.

Grateful for each and every one of you.

It is all of us that make this world.

Spread the gratitude and kindness.

Happy Thanksgiving.

 

Special Hello to: YOU, and YOU, and YOU ……

Always, Carol & Alvin

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Monday, July 10, 2017 and it is the 31st day until my 60th Birthday.

When I think back to all of the different professions of the people that I have meet over my almost 60 years ….. it has been incredible.

I have known leaders of major corporations, people who have started and grown their own successful businesses, mothers, fathers, ministers, teachers, tax collectors, reinsurance brokers, dancers, singers, musicians, policemen, lawyers, doctors of all kinds, nurses, veterinarians, all sorts of customer service personnel, firemen, policemen, postmen, sheriff, house and business cleaners, construction workers, hair stylists, cooks, servers, bartenders, real estate brokers, insurance brokers, farmers, volunteers, new reporter(s), DJ, children’s author, adult authors, accountants, private pilot, airforce pilot, airplane mechanic, bank managers, professional photographers, IT specialists, claims adjusters, underwriters, foreman, electricians, plumbers, tow truck owner/operator, pharmacist, jewellers, bus drivers, mechanics, oilfield workers, driller on oil rigs, directional drillers, housewives, contractors of all kinds, managers of all kinds, social workers, hospital unit clerk,  data entry operators, cashiers, customer service clerks, bank tellers, administrative assistants, dental assistants, dentist, and too many others to count.

 

If you sat back and made a list of all the people that you have known over your lifetime and what did they for a living the list would be massive.  I know that I am missing a great many.

Surrounded by incredible people my whole life.

These people who have helped form the person that I am today.

It truly takes a village.

I am truly blessed.

 

Always, Carol