May in Canada

On May 2 I left Guayaquil and came to Canada, 2 weeks earlier than I had planned, and with 24 hours to get ready to leave my home and life for 3 months. My sister-in-law's health suddenly began to deteriorate, and it became clear that my original travel date of May 14 was too far away. So Friday May 1 was a day that passed in a blur of heat, activity, tears, and goodbyes. I had numerous trips to assorted bank machines to try to persuade them to part with some cash, there were meds to buy to be left behind for my patients, 3 months' worth of dressing supplies to be delivered, arrangements for my house and cat......! But the impossible was accomplished and I was able to leave on that plane the next morning.

And then I was plunged immediately into a whole new world, one in which a close and dear family member was coming to the close of her time here on earth, and all of the family drew close to walk this unfamiliar path together. And thus passed 2 weeks, most of that first week spent at the palliative care unit at the Brantford General Hospital, until Heather was transferred to a hospice, where the wonderful people cared so well for her and for all of us. That hospice became our home for just over a week, we took turns sleeping there, had family dinners, and generally took the place over. And were assured by the staff that that's exactly what they want to see. Heather steadily declined over those 2 weeks, but still had some good periods of being alert and able to communicate and be part of some get-togethers in her room. Although she wasn't able to speak, she still managed to communicate with very expressive eyebrows, and a whiteboard. Family and close friends spent some very precious hours together, talking, remembering, crying, and laughing. I am so thankful to have been given these times, that I was able to get back from Ecuador in time. I had prayed so often that God would make it clear when I should go, and He did. Heather left us early in the morning of May 17, and went home to her Saviour. And now we have a big gap in our lives to get used to living with.
The other part of coming home of course has been that I get to spend time with my little grandaughter Elizabeth. That has been such a joy, and has helped to balance the grief. She turned 1 year old yesterday, and I was there to be part of that, and we were remembering how hard it was to be so far away last year when she was trying to arrive, and it wasn't going all that well, and I was dependent on intermittent text messages to know what was going on!!! Yesterday was much better!! She's very cute, very smart and full of personality, and I'm allowed to say that - I'm the Grandma!!


It has been a bonus too, to be here for a Canadian spring. When I arrived the new pale green leaves were just showing, the fruit trees were in bloom, so were the daffodils and tulips, and magnolias. Oh and pansies! And I've been here for the lilacs and lily-of-the-valley. Things I didn't even realize I missed, but so lovely to be here for them. What a beautiful country this is.

But. . . . cold! Will this place ever warm up? Just wondering.