Tragedy, Success, Concentration

Last Updated on Sunday, 31 January 2010 14:20 Written by Oddzuki

This week has brought many mixed emotions. On the business front, we've seen our client base growing leaps and bounds this past week. New clients, large clients, new opportunities and promising projects/proposals abound around us. We've (my wife and I) have developed new ideas, fresh directions, and great concepts that could take both our businesses to new heights. I also completed my first 30 day challenge utilizing Wii Active and lost another pound.  Any other week, this would have kept us on a major high. But this wasn't just any other week. And I apologize if my writing seems disjointed. It's difficult to really even know where to start. With all of the new beginnings, life was counterbalanced by an ending.

My Grandmother-In-Law, Florence McLeod, passed away early this week. I've been married going on 9 years now. I met my wife in 2000 and had the pleasure of meeting Grandma McLeod in person twice. Being that my wife and I met online, with me in Palm Coast, Fl, and her in Hazelton, British Columbia at the time, there wasn't that much time for me to spend up there around her family. But the times that I did meet her, were such a pleasure.  Meeting her for the first time was nothing short of awesome! She came up to me, gave me a hug, and looked me square in the eyes and confidently spoke the words I'll never forget. "Welcome to Canada. It's God's country". It was said with such a gentle sincerity, confidence, and admiration for the country she loved. She was such a kind, caring woman. She was known for many things at her church, from baker, auto harp player, gardener, & in charge of the music for the younger age.  She was a woman that loved her church and loved her family.  At my wedding, as I was making my way around the family & guest tables, my interaction with her was one of the few that I remember on such a whirlwind of a day.  "You take good care of my Natasha. She's a special one. You know, when my husband died she would spend so much time with me, keeping me company. You let her come back home every once in a while to see us. I'll miss her dearly".  She also told me that she knew that her grand daughter was in good hands. I've always wanted to make sure that my wife's family knew that  I would always do my best to take care of her. And Grandma McLeod was a huge part of that.

I also want my Mother in Law to know that you did the best a daughter could. Taking care of her these last few months, I'm sure have been tough, but I feel there is a reason for everything.  Some things you have shared with me, and knowledge you've gained, even in this short period of time from your mother seem to be major eye openers for you. Which you can now give the same knowledge to us. Your mother was a wonderfully dedicated woman. Dedicated to her family. Dedicated to her friends. Dedicated to God and church. Celebrate her life and the memories you have of her. You know she loved you deeply and will always be apart of you, your children, and generations to come. Please know that.

To my wife. Hon, it's hard for me to say things in words during difficult times like these. I've done my best over the last week to show compassion, support, and be a help the best I know how. I feel helpless that we couldn't get up to Hazelton for the funeral. But I do know that one day I will make sure we get there. Thank you for the stories you've told me over the past 9 years about you and your grandma. Those memories are now our shared memories. And you have a lot to be thankful for with having had her in your life.

Today is her funeral. She is being buried next to her husband in Hazelton, BC. They'll be able to see one of her favorite mountains, Mount Roche de Boule. This is the same mountain that you can see in the majority of my wedding pictures. One day, hopefully sooner than later, I will take my family up there. Tash will get to speak to her Grandma again, and I will tell her that I will continue to take good care of her Granddaughter. Godspeed, Grandma McLeod. I'll be up in God's country soon enough to see you one last time.