The end of one thing, means the beginning of another

The end of one thing, means the beginning of another, the week that was week 8 for the Carr’s

Day Late and a Dollar Short
It’s late. For the first time in 23 weeks, my blog was not posted on a Friday but on a Sunday instead! This week was so busy and with the memorial yesterday for my Aunt Mae, I thought it would be ok to delay the posting so that I may include my thoughts in my recap of the week that was week 8.

Father’s day
The first day of this week was father’s day and I celebrated in the most wonderful way. I was greeted by a couple of girls that have been so excited about the arrival of Father’s day, that they have been hinting what they where getting and doing for me since Easter. Well ok just for the last week or so, but it seems like it has been a while. In fact, if I was smart I would have been keeping track, and I am sure I would be able to have figure it all out before Sunday.

“I love you so at soooo mach, I love you you love me it is a family” to quote one of the 6, homemade cards that the girls poured their love into making for me. The pride in their eyes when taking their time presenting them to me was moving enough but it was the little blue card from Jordyn, written in French that made me feel incredibly lucky to have such great kids. The front said “La fete des peres, #1 Papa” and tucked inside was the five-dollar bill that she was given the day before for just being cute. Jordyn was so happy to share her win fall with me and I think that is a good sign of good things to come.

Home Inspection
On Monday, after a morning trip to the bank to sign all the mortgage paperwork (yes, we found a house!), we had our 3-hour home inspection. I got a very good look at the house and thanks to Sam (www.lighthouseinspections.com ), a sharply focused look at the new place and we are even more pumped than before. Yes, there are some things that will need to be done over the next little bit, but nothing that will jeopardize the deal, so that is a load of our minds. In fact, we where even approved for some home improvement money from our bank, so we also visited Ikea and we designed our NEW kitchen.   Closing date is July 30th – moving day is set for the 15th of August if there are any takers for helping us move… you can send us an email at me@jimcarr.ca or thewife@jimcarr.ca.

Graduation day
As important as September is at marking the start of a new year, this time of the year is equally important, because it marks the end of the school year. The energy and excitement in the sounds of the kids laughing and playing, thinking about the summer fills the air and for most children thoughts about what lies ahead in their academic lives is a distant thought. This year I was able to be part of three ceremonies, each significant in their own way.

On Tuesday I DJ’d my daughters’ school’s grade 8 dance and was able to see many of the kids that I have seen grow over the last 6 years of doing kiss and ride. Especially moving was the grad the girls call Gee, because I have a picture of her and Jordyn on Jordyn’s first day of school as they waited for the bus and they both look so little.

That evening, we had to split up so we could attend graduation ceremonies for two of our nephews. Nathalie made it to Rylan’s graduation from grade 8 with Jordyn and with Julia in tow I made it to Branden’s graduation from high school. Nothing like watching a man whose diapers you changed as a baby, make the transition to post-secondary education to punctuate the passing of time. Congratulations to Rylan for his athlete of the year award!

Finally, on Thursday I was in the platform party on stage for the Spring 2009 School of Communication Arts grads and as I congratulated and listened to speeches I was moved how the messages in all speeches this week held the same theme, the new beginnings message of a life left to live and a future full of promise.

Good bye
On Saturday, with the sun setting in the west and a beautiful breeze coming in over the water, we gather to follow through on a last request. Unplanned, but in the background from a distant CD player, the words my Aunt Mae sang so long ago echo through the trees and around the cottages.

“I’m a going down, down, down to the river, and there ain’t nobody gonna have to hold my hand. I’m a going down, down, down to the river, Gonna bury my troubles in the river bottom sand.”

At the end of the dock, a waiting boat to carry us (me, Dad, Debbie, Lori, Mom and Captain Willy) out just a little bit but far enough to battle the wind. “She always was a free spirit, and now you can be free Shirley.” said Lori and we all smiled as we each took a moment to remember Mae in our own way.  Then I had the honour of standing up and letting her go. Ashes committed to the earth, wind and water – a fitting end to a life that gave so much, to so many.

Earlier in the day a great crowd turned up at the Moose Lodge in Lindsay to pay tribute and celebrate Aunt Mae’s life trough music and stories and even tears. My Aunt Mae loved a good party and I would think she would have been so happy with the great afternoon. Although my twin sister and her family could not be there in person, she sent this message and asked that I read it and I did but I wanted to share it with you.

Hi Jim,
I would really appreciate you reading this for me today. It is a hymn that our choir sang last Sunday in church. I have changed some of the wording/phrasing for Aunt Mae.

I would like you to say that we were really blessed to have her in our life and are heart broken that she is no longer with us. Sad that we will no longer be able to hear her beautiful voice. We Love and Miss her very much…..!

Janey & Earl and Chandler & Colby
xoxoxoxo

Shirley Mae’s Teaching Angels

Her cottage is so empty,
So lonesome since she’s gone’
Cause Shirley Mae’s teaching Angels, how to sing her song,
But we’ll meet her in the morning,

On Heaven’s golden hills,
Cause Shirley Mae’s teaching Angels, Angels how to sing.
Shirley Mae’s teaching Angels in that land so fare,
Heaven’s bells won’t ring aloud, while Shirley Mae’s singing there,
But we’ll meet her on that golden shore and she will greet us there,
Cause Shirley Mae’s teaching Angels, Angels how to sing.

There’s a beautiful voice missing
In our little Community Lodge Jamboree’s,
She sang Making Believe and I Fall to Pieces – just a few of her songs.
But when God heard Shirley Mae Singing,

He knew Heaven was not complete,
Now Shirley Mae’s teaching Angels, Angels how to sing.

Jimmy laid his guitar down
And heavens bells won’t ring
Heaven’s halls are silent when Shirley Mae starts to sing
And it’s sad to know that she won’t return

But we will see her again one great day,
Cause Shirley Mae is teaching Angels, Angels how to sing.

In closing
As the cameras flash and take the pictures at the graduation ceremonies I attended this week, I could not stop thinking that so much of what happened this week marked the beginning and the end of something. Jordyn and Julia at the end of grade 1 and 4 but the beginning of grade 2 and 5, Rylan and Gee at the end of grade 8 but the start of high school, Branden finishing high school but starting of college in the fall and for some at the Seneca commencement, marking the end of their academic aspirations and the beginning of their working lives. The celebration and memorial for Aunt Mae marked the end of her life but the beginning of her next life singing and laughing with those who have gone before her.

So it all comes down to a beginning and an end and I guess that’s the truth about this crazy thing we call life. Life is truly the journey, and I am enjoying my ride.

Have a great week,
Jim