flannel thoughts

I have some things swirling around in my mind, kind of like the snow outside.

• My dad died 22 years ago today. I never do much to mark the occasion... sometimes I even forget. But some years this day is more poignant than others. This year because I have a new son that I wish my dad was here to meet. Malachi Terence was even named for a man he'll never meet. I know my dad would have adored his grandkids, and been such a fun grandpa, and for that I am a little extra sad today.

• Speaking of grieving, our thoughts and prayers are with the Johnson family now as they mourn their matriarch Mary. Mary was such a wonderful woman and has such special meaning for our family. Elmer and Mary began coming to the Wednesday meeting at our home before my dad passed away. After his death, the meeting stayed there, and Elmer took the meeting. Once my mom married Jack, we moved and the Johnson's bought our house. They kept the meeting, and it was fun to visit our old house for meeting every Wednesday. The house has since been sold to Reid and Mandy Olson, Mary and Elmer's grandson and his family. It's nice to think it still remains in the hands of people we know, as that was the last place my dad lived before he died. Mary seemed so robust and like such a strong woman, but with the kindest, most thoughtful heart. She will be missed.

• Thanks in no small part to the overly intrusive internet and the never quite severed ties that come with mutual friends, Gavan and I discovered that someone from his past got married at the same place we did. Am I the only one who is creeped out by this? It's just such a bizarre coincidence to think that of all the places someone could get married in Calgary, he and she both said their I do's at the same place. And when I say the same place, I mean exactly the same. She and I stood in the same spot to say our vows, as did our grooms.... weird!!

• And while we're on the topic of the internet and exes, my brothers first girlfriend, that I barely knew because I was living in Vancouver, sent me a message on facebook today. I'm completely flabbergasted that she was even able to remember my name as we only met a couple of times.

• It's interesting to see people from the different perspectives of time and space. I've grown up with people that I used to admire so much, and upon reconnecting realize that they've lost something over the years. They're not as cool as they used to be, or maybe they haven' t changed at all but I have. It's interesting to watch people stagnate over time. It's like they hit the peak of their coolness early and then just plateau for the rest of their lives. On the flip side I love seeing the people from my past that were generally bypassed or overlooked but now are incredibly interesting, successful, fabulous people. Life has a funny way of evening the score.