As many know, my birthday is very special to me. Because it coincides with Thanksgiving, my birthday is often filled with love and celebrations with family and extended family. It goes on for weeks at a time so that I can fit in all the hugs and meals and joy possible.

Another reason that my birthday is special is because it’s a reminder of the story my parents have told me almost every year. When they went to the hospital for me to be born, the staff did not think that I would arrive for a while yet, so they left the room, and in that time, my father caught me like a football and I came out grinning up at him. It’s been true love ever since. Of course, none of this would be possible without my mum and the rest of this great family of mine.

We have had a great long life together and I was delighted to be able to spend these past 10 days and many others recently supporting and caring for him and mum. Saying goodbye on my birthday was bittersweet, but there is so much to be grateful for and proud of. My family is gathering for Thanksgiving, a rare treat, which is another blessing💖

I gave Dad a bell to ring if he needed anything. I often stayed by his side too, watching over him as he slept and talking about memories and nature as he woke. Often, when he would ring the bell and I would ask how I could help, he would just tap the bed and say ‘ just sit here’. As I would help him stand and get his balance, I would sneak in a hug, and we would linger in it. I am very ok with how this journey has gone and that we all get to be together with a richness of memories to bask in. We climbed a mountain, and at the top of it now, we have a new perspective. 💖🤗

The parents recently moved to a condo, thankfully. It is a peaceful location and a great set up. While this summer was full of health appointments and packing chores all at the same time, it was so much easier to have his final days in this setting and now we can look to a new chapter with joyful memories of him in this new space.

While he hoped to go peacefully at home in his sleep, in the final days it appeared it would be best for him to be in hospice. As we were making the arrangements, he was slipping away. In the end, he did get to go peacefully at home, and the trio of us were holding hands with him. This felt very parallel to how my life began, a joyful alignment of timing and love.

My sister and mum took me out for dinner at a culinary school, it reminded me of all the great birthweek shoulder season celebrations with friends in Whistler ❤️ I am so grateful for the richness of experiences that I have been blessed with, and the curiosity and kindness that Dad had instilled in me.

I will be thinking of him daily, in every time I turn a screwdriver or notice a bird or go for a swim or do something to make the world better. And on my birthday, I will remember how I got to walk with him towards his next chapter, and support him as he has supported me my whole life.

And, if you are into the symmetry of all of this (10 am on 10/10 , my birthday). I am born in 1978 and he was turning 78 in a couple months. He was born in 1946 and I turned 46 as he exited).