Memories

The summer of 2017 is passing by very quickly. One minute you are anticipating an event, and before you can blink, it is just a memory.

We celebrated our 51st wedding anniversary in the middle of July, and a week later, our daughter turned 50. We took her to High Tea at MacKenzie King’s Estate (he was Prime Minister during WWII), and then walked around the grounds enjoying the flowers and birds and the stone ruins, brought over here from many buildings in Europe which had been bombed.

Then, a few days ago, our whole family, eighteen of us,  got together for the first time in nine years. My husband and I, our 4 daughters, 4 sons-in-law, and 8 grandchildren! Our daughter who lives in Vancouver, was on her way back from a trip to Sweden, to visit her husband’s family.

Two of the sons-in-law had had birthdays in the previous week. Then there was our daughter’s 50th, and one of our grandsons had turned 18 a few days before. Lots to celebrate!

At the top are our two oldest girls, followed by our two youngest. We had dinner together and our waiter kindly took the bottom photo.

Nine years is too long to go between these larger reunions. In 2008,  our girls were in their 30s and our grandchildren were aged 2 – 11. We were a sprightly 63 years old, but these people are keeping us young. In spirit if not in body!

No matter what the next nine years brings, I will treasure these moments in my heart forever!

Thanks for sharing in our celebrations. – Maureen

 

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Camp Grandma Day 2

Yesterday went well but the girls were at loose ends a lot of the day.  They need more exercise.  So how do I take care of that with my own mobility issues? We are in the beautiful city of Ottawa, the capital of Canada, and the first plan for today was to go to see the changing of the guard on Parliament Hill.

10 a.m. – We are going to have to go to Plan B because Amelia is still in bed.  I woke her up but the ceremony is beginning right now, so we are not going to make it.

Noon – We are on the bus on our way downtown. I’d like to see the Parliament Buildings but I don’t think we’ll make it that far. There is construction all over the place and we are getting tired.

2 p.m. – We went to the Rideau Centre and checked out the new Forever 21 store that is opening there soon.  The girls are excited about that! Then we went to the Apple store where the girls tried out the new iPad and the iPhones that were on display.  There was a huge number of people there and I hope they don’t mind that 8 year-old Enid was testing one of the computers behind the counter!!! I got her out of there before anyone noticed.

4 p.m. – We are back home and just heard about the big earthquake in Virginia.  It was felt as far away as Toronto, and I am sure in that area it will be known as the Toronto earthquake as the Ottawa/Gatineau earthquake was last year! My daughter is a geologist so it is exciting for her.

5 p.m. – The girls have gone swimming with their Dad. They are so excited. Summers were never so organized for me when I was little. They are so blessed.

6 p.m. – The day is over.  The parents are home and two tired girls are reading and talking about going to bed early tonight. So is Grandma!  At least I’m thinking about it.

Tomorrow has a big surprise in store for the two granddaughters.  We’re going to a high-tech company for lunch. Shhhh.  More about this on Camp Grandma Day 3.