Evan's Blog... " Why I do what I do"

On Friday I was priviledged to help Connor's Vanderveen's family celebrate the life of their special son. Connor was born with Hunter's syndrome, a rare inherited genetic disease in which sugar molecules are not broken down properly in the body.Those with early onset Hunter's have a life expectancy of 10-20 years. Connor passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side at the Alberta Children's Hospital. At Connor's graveside service, his family gathered to say goodbye, not forever, but for now. As we gathered around his casket for prayers and his comittal to the earth, the family took markers and wrote messages, quotes from scriptures, and " Connorisms" on his simple pine casket. It was a sad time, but yet for those present , including myself, it was also an uplifting, powerful and meaning time. It was a time of reflection and love, of telling the story of Connor's all too brief life here with us, and the legacy and memories he leaves with his family and friends.   Connor's life told a story, and those at the cemetery that day reinforced this. The need to tell the story of our loved ones, to reflect and celebrate, to do something that shows they were here with us, and we loved them, and continue to do so. During the service his family sung the " Veggie Tales" theme ( one of Connor's favourite songs and show). It seemed fitting, it seemed right, it told a story. There are times that I'm not always sure that I'm helping families tell the story of their loved ones the best I can. Connor helped me recharge, and know why I do this, why it's important. Thanks Connor for helping me know that what I do makes a difference. Just my thoughts.....

My Blog " I'm running for...."

This past Sunday, my daughter participated in the CIBC Run For The Cure. For those not familiar with this run, it is in support of Breast Cancer research. The run is held across Canada, and I believe something similar happens in the Sates as well. Many of the participants, besides wearing a variety of pink things ( be it runners, hats, boas, whatever you could think of!), also had on their shirt who they were running for. Some were running for loved ones who were fighting cancer, some for those who beat it, and many were running for a loved one lost to breast cancer, or another type of cancer. What these runners were doing on that sunday, the thousands who came out on a cool but sunny morning, were celebrating lives. Those who participated here, indeed those who were part of the Run across the country or wherever, saw the importance of life and what it meant to them in an individual way. The names on the shirts represented and symbolized a struggle to beat this cancer, for some it was a celebration of a battle won, for others it was the recognition of a battle fought, but ultimately lost. What was overwhelming and touching was that all those participants saw the importance of recognizing a life-what it is now, or what is was. And by being there, joining with others who saw value in the same thing. It is great to see a community make the celebration of life and lives lived, an important action. One day this cancer and all cancers will be beat, and hopefully we will continue to feel the need to celebrate the lives of our loved ones and tell their stories. Just my thoughts...