NOT REAL

It doesn't feel real, Bill being gone.  But those moments when it sinks in and it IS real, is when it becomes so hard.  I have known that man a long long time and even though I complained about him a lot, we were totally joined at the hip.

Kevin and Tandy departed early today.  Back to their busy busy life.  Myles left this afternoon, leaving April behind.  Aryn is here too and tomorrow Kathy is coming down.  My cousin Dorothy dropped by tonight with a beautiful ham, and tomorrow I shall make some scalloped potatoes to go with it.  What a lovely thing to do.

We spent some time today thinking about our visits with Bill in the hospital/hospice.  Of course we then started to remember some of the crazy things this family has done over the years.

 Goofing off, he actually ran over both Kevin's and Monte's feet, at different times.

  We almost ended up having to sleep in the car in freezing weather in Cordova, Spain, because we didn't start looking for a hotel soon enough.

  Throwing out a load of garbage over a garbage dump cliff in Portugal, he threw the rental car keys out with it.  That was a bad one.  He had to climb down the side of the cliff to the Heyman garbage and find them.  And it was the ickiest garbage you ever saw and really really steep and slippery.

  In a terrible wind and rain storm in northern Scotland, he was desperate for a bathroom, and none were to be found.  He finally simply had to do a squatter behind a lonely LOCKED park bathroom house.  He learned that day why one must never do their business in a very very windy location! 

He also learned not to sit on the top of an upright  wheeled suitcase.  Before you could blink your eyes, it shot out from under him and he landed flat on top of that suitcase, arms and legs waving like an upside down dung beetle.  I couldn't help him cuz I was laughing so hard.  When he finally rolled off onto his hands and knees, he couldn't get up.  Eventually a good samaritan passing by stopped and got him under his arms and helped pull him up.  That was all in the parkade under the canada place cruise docks.  I still laugh when I think of it!

So many crazy things.  And it was cool listening to Jim and Jan's kids talking about events that happened with him before my time.  The trips to Hawaii, the trips to Prince George etc…It showed me a glimpse into his life before me.  He never talked about it much but clearly he led a pretty busy involved life.

On another note, the funeral will be held at 1 or 2 (I will confirm the time in tomorrow night's post) on Nov. 1st (Sat) at the Shoening Funeral Home in Kamloops.  I will post the address etc.  closer to the first.  Aryn will do the eulogy and Monte is going to do those of us that have something to say but for whatever reason we just can't say it in front of crowds, a big favour.  He has offered to read your message for you.  He already has three he is going to read for people.  So please feel free to either tell your story yourself, or if you prefer have Monte read it for you.  There are those that may not be able to attend but wish to have their say.  Scheonings has a lovely big facility that we can use for the reception afterwards.

So on that note I am going to hit the hay.  Tomorrow we are going to pack up his things.  Monte is going to take Bill's things up to his friend Pat in Port Alberni and he will distribute them amongst his needy friends and to the Bread of Life second hand shop.  Bill would be pleased to know that his stuff will be happily accepted by so many. TTYL