Monday, March 09, 2009

Very full weekend

Despite the horrid driving conditions we seen on television from the day before, Friday was bright and clear without any issues. We picked up our daughter and grandson, left Cody our English Springer with Jeff for the weekend and headed to our final destination. We arrived in Medicine Hat at a decent time, got settled in our rooms and while JR had a bath in the huge jetted tub, Joe & I went out to find something nice for a picnic supper.

Saturday was another bright day, not too cold. The skies were filled with flocks of Canadian geese returning south. We met the family at the funeral chapel, had a quick briefing with the Reverend and we were underway. It was amazing how Rev. Ploughman got the sense of who my father was u=in just a few conversations...she did an amazing job! Joe did Dad's tribute and as he was speaking I could see each word was getting harder and harder to voice. But with all the finesse he had, Joe gave Dad a silent toast of his best scotch and took his seat. The video tribute got a most reaching for a tissue, even the 12 members from Dad's Legion who came out for the Poppy ceremony. It was all so fitting for Dad, who's needs were simple and they all revolved around family and community.

Sunday's family breakfast was canceled by the winter blizzard that was pounding down on us. A few quick calls to say goodbye and we headed out before the roads worsened. We've driven through blinding snow storms on the prairies before but this was the first time I have ever seen 1, let alone 3 tractor trailers stop to a grinding halt by a huge snow drift across the highway! It was unbelievable. Joe was like Mario Andretti, steering through what appeared to be the smallest of openings in the waves of snow. Winter tires made the big difference in us arriving home safely. Unfortunately out of the 51 vehicles in the ditch, 1 was a double fatality.

Good to be back home despite the minus 26'C temperatures!

2 comments:

CindyMae said...

I am so glad that you were safe through all that! Sounds like a great weekend though!

Pumpkin said...

Sounds like it was a beautiful funeral and I'm sure your dad was smiling down :o)

Glad to hear you made it home safe and sound!