Mexico Mission 2023

Today is Easter Sunday and we are celebrating the atonement and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and his gift to each of us of eternal life and the hope of exaltation with our families.  Sister Schlachter and I travelled back to Canada, yes, to mourn, but mostly to celebrate my dad's life. I wasn't sure how things would go for me emotionally, but I was open to allow myself to feel which was exciting in a way. I can't really describe what I felt but there was one moment when I felt tears welling up. Barb, dad's partner was standing by dad in his coffin in St. Michael's church during the viewing prior to the mass. I embraced her and asked her how she was holding up, she choked back her tears and told me not to ask again - I found myself mimicking her response.  I presented a history of dad's life to the community that had gathered at the Legion Hall in Bow Island to honour him. He lived a remarkable life in many ways. I will miss him. Someone tol...

My father died on Monday night. His heath had been declining over the past couple of years. I am grateful that my Alberta-based siblings were able to be with him during this last few days. I visted with him on Sunday afternoon by video conference. Unlike when we farmed together, this time I did most of the talking. He was able to open one eye, speak a few soft words and lift one of his arms to acknowledge me. Like many people his age, somehow he knew that he did not have long to live. He would have celebrated his 90th birthday in May. With my emotions now unleashed from "the box" I used to keep them carefully locked up in, for the first time in my life, I find myself grieving. I realize now that I didn't grieve when my mother died in 2005 because I was incapable. When she died I was also in Mexico City and here I am again. Grieving seems to entail a mixture of emotions, something I really didn't expect. Unlike in 2005, with considerable help from my psychologist frien...