Intertwined stories
As the two sisters sit with their dad on the palliative care unit, they share memories of him.
This starts with the question they asked each other.
What was your favourite time that you spent with our dad?
They each have different special memories.
For the first sister, she loves to remember when they were posted to London England. At one point during their time there, a coal miners strike took place.
Because of this strike, there were periods of time when they had no power.
Their dad was a busy RCMP officer but when the power was out, he spent much more time with them at home. They lit candles. They played monopoly.
She treasures this precious memory.
The second sister talks about her shared love of sports and outdoor activities with their dad.
She remembers them fishing together in New Brunswick for speckled trout. The water in the streams was very cold.
They both talk of their dad’s love for the outdoors and the special times the family shared outside.
Skating on frozen lakes in the winter. There was a time when someone fell through the ice.
Skipping stones and swimming in these same lakes in the summer.
Hiking together and getting lost at times.
Playing cards and a family’s shared love of reading.
And always, there was their dad’s sense of humour.
Although they were not able to see their dad as much during COVID, they remember fondly a Christmas party with all children and grandchildren came to be with him.
Now they sit by his bed on the unit, sharing their stories, memories, and love for him.
Now they are with him on the unit, telling the stories by his bed. Sharing their memories and love for him.
