Memories of times past.

Today I decided to stay home from work. Well, Wednesday I decided that I would take today off. We needed a ‘redo’. Tuesday I stayed home to have a much needed full day with the family as I gear up to leave. It was nice…ish, but everyone was sick. We went to Kilby, in Harrison Mills, for the morning. The weather was perfect, the water was really low, exposing load of sandy beach. This was matches with a bunch of complaining from all of the kids.

Oddly enough, during a “warm” March day about 25 years earlier, my much younger self and family were on that very same beach. I had convinced myself that as it was “warm” enough out I should probably go for a dip. My parents tried to explain to me that even though the air might have been warm, the water was surely not. But, I knew best. So my parents agreed that I could go for a swim. I touched the water and realized very quickly that my parents were correct. Not wanting to admit my parents were correct I ‘played’ in the water. Splashing a little – making sure to not get myself too wet. I found a log that stretched out over the water. I walked out onto it as if to prove a point that I could play in the freezing water. I slipped and I fell into that freezing water. My parents were correct – it was too cold. I probably cried. They probably laughed. I would have.

Spending time there that morning made me think of the memories that I have made here as I draw close to heading away. Memories of family, friends and the beautiful scenery of the South West. These past couple of weeks I have been driving all around the Lower Mainland I have been reminded of things from recently and from long ago.

The smell of the sea (which we won’t get up North) as I drove through White Rock reminded me of my maternal grandparents. Grandma’s cooking and making sure we felt special and loved when it was someone else’s birthday. Spending afternoons with Grandpa learning how to play chess and him letting us win. Or summer nights having a sleep over with all of the cousins on their porch, with the eldest of us claiming that UFOs were flying over head.

Or driving down 8th Ave past a… transmitter..? and my paternal Grandad claiming that it was the world’s largest gold ball. Or spending the day with Gran and Grandad at Mill Lake walking and listening to stories of yesteryears after a delicious roast and Yorkshire pud.

Memories of the exact spot that I met my bride. The first words I spoke to her. Out first date. First kiss. Where we got married. The houses we lived in when our first, second, third…… and fourth children were born. Adventures we have done together as a family.

Times spent with friends hiking, playing board games, celebrating birthdays, weddings and births of their own children. Times of loss, sorrow and sadness.

All these memories have been made through 32 years spent in the Fraser Valley/Lower Mainland. Time spent here that is soon to run out. Time is a funny thing. You look forward to certain times in life and want it to go by fast so that you can get there. Then there are things that you don’t necessarily want to come quickly, but there is nothing you can do to speed it up or slow it down. Time passes at the same pace if we want it to or not. If we like it or not. And with time come new memories. Memories that I look forward to making with friends and family on new adventures.

What is the moral of this second post? Is it that “time spent and memories made are the most valuable things in life”? Sure, it could be. Or is it, “even if you think your parents aren’t as smart as you, you should probably listen to them. They aren’t as dumb as you think”? I’ll let you figure that one out.

Throw in a comment! Ask questions, post memories, or just say a quick ‘Hi’. I will to my best to reply.

Take care and check in for a new post soon…ish. Maybe. If you’re lucky.