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  • Raising Outdoor Kids
    • Featured

      100+ Must-Read Nature Books for Kids of…

      February 19, 2019

      Crafting

      Printable Valentine Flower Seed Packets for Kids

      January 26, 2019

      Featured

      Positive Ways to Talk to Kids About…

      January 13, 2019

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      December 27, 2018

      Featured

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      June 24, 2018

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  • My Nature Adventure Journal
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  • Canadian Adventures
    • All Alberta British Columbia Lower Mainland Northern Interior Okanagan
      British Columbia

      Hiking and Camping with Kids at Kokanee…

      July 30, 2018

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Family-Friendly Adventures on BC’s Sunshine Coast

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      British Columbia

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

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      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

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      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 30, 2017

      Alberta

      Rock Climbing with Kids in Jasper National…

      August 8, 2017

      Alberta

      Family Adventures in Jasper National Park: 10…

      July 26, 2017

      Alberta

      Shaw’s Point Resort

      August 6, 2015

      Alberta

      Apiaries in Northern Alberta

      August 5, 2015

      Alberta

      St. Isidore, Alberta

      August 4, 2015

      Alberta

      The Hoodoos

      July 29, 2015

      Alberta

      Royal Tyrrell Museum

      July 28, 2015

      Alberta

      Bow Valley Campground

      July 27, 2015

      British Columbia

      Hiking and Camping with Kids at Kokanee…

      July 30, 2018

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Family-Friendly Adventures on BC’s Sunshine Coast

      November 8, 2017

      British Columbia

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      November 1, 2017

      British Columbia

      Hiking Spion Kop with Kids in Lake…

      October 10, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      September 28, 2017

      British Columbia

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      August 30, 2017

      Lower Mainland

      Visiting the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in…

      March 7, 2017

      Lower Mainland

      Outdoor Family Adventures in Metro Vancouver

      August 2, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Biking the Stanley Park Seawall

      July 27, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Exploring Deep Cove and Quarry Rock Trail

      July 25, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Visiting Queen Elizabeth Park

      July 22, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Biking Through Pacific Spirit Regional Park

      July 20, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      Exploring Lynn Canyon Park

      July 18, 2016

      Lower Mainland

      1001 Steps to the Beach

      April 19, 2014

      Northern Interior

      Life at Ness Lake

      September 1, 2016

      Northern Interior

      McMillan Creek Regional Park

      October 8, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Ferguson Lake Nature Reserve

      October 6, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Eskers Provincial Park

      October 5, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Autumn in Northern British Columbia

      September 28, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Wildflowers in Northern British Columbia

      June 6, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Visiting Barkerville Historic Town

      June 2, 2015

      Northern Interior

      Travelling North

      June 19, 2013

      Okanagan

      More to Explore in the Okanagan Valley:…

      December 1, 2017

      Okanagan

      A National Park Reserve in the South…

      November 3, 2017

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      A Family Adventure Holiday in New Zealand

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      Climb On! Rock Climbing with Kids at…

      August 25, 2017

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      Puerto Angel, Oaxaca

      February 19, 2016

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      Playa San Agustinillo, Oaxaca

      February 18, 2016

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      Puerto Angel, Oaxaca

      February 19, 2016

      Mexico

      Playa San Agustinillo, Oaxaca

      February 18, 2016

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      A Parade in Puerto Escondido

      February 17, 2016

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      A Family Adventure Holiday in New Zealand

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Backwoods Mama

Family Life

Let this not be farewell but au revoir…

April 24, 2017

I have started and restarted this blog post many times. It seems so easy to share about life’s successes and celebrations, but death and dying not so much. In the last four months we experienced the sudden illness and loss of my father-in-law. This wonderful man shared his zest for life with all those around him. He was so generous with his time and resources, but most importantly with his love. He passed away on April 4th, taken by an aggressive cancer, and one of the last things he said to me, as we hugged, was “I love you”.

Sometimes death doesn’t make sense, doesn’t seem fair or right. This sentiment was shared over and over by countless people during my father-in-law’s funeral. Teary eyes were filled with “why?”. The mystery of death will forever elude us, until it is our own time…

Journeying with my father-in-law over the last months of his life was a beautiful and difficult experience. He was not afraid of death and found solace in his Catholic faith, continuing to share his love until the end. But this beautiful strong man was very human and he experienced great sadness knowing that he was leaving behind his beautiful wife, children, many grandchildren, siblings and a community of close friends.

The final conversations we held, the tears in his eyes, holding his grandchildren for the last times will be forever etched in my heart. And now that his tears are forever wiped away, mine will flow freely, coming at unexpected times as my heart misses him. To a Loving Man, Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Grandfather and Friend. I love you.

Let this not be farewell but au revoir… was last modified: April 24th, 2017 by Josée
DeathDyingFuneral
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5 comments

Brenda and Bill April 24, 2017 at 2:15 pm

Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. It is a true comfort that we can thank God for His great hope of eternal life with Him when we have placed our faith in the promises His Son Jesus bought with His sacrifice for those who believe in Him and trust Him in all things. May your family find comfort in the Great Comfoter who walks with us when we sorrow.

Reply
Janelle Bellerive April 24, 2017 at 6:59 pm

Such a beautiful post. Sending my love to you all. xo

Reply
Rachelle Bergeron April 25, 2017 at 8:59 pm

Allô la belle Josée. Thank you for your beautiful pictures and words. It does capture that mixture of love and grief so well. Gerald was a beautiful person and he has a beautiful family. Please share my love with Jérémie and the kics. I really hope to see soon.
Much love,

Reply
Trish April 26, 2017 at 1:55 pm

Condolences to you and your family. May your beautfiful memories bring you all peace.

Reply
Elianne May 9, 2017 at 8:21 pm

Well said Josée, Gerald was a very special brother, father, husband, grand-papa and friend! We miss him so much, love you guys very much 💐💞💐💞

Reply

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