Who knew that this would be the last Christmas we had with William? What would have changed? What might we have said that we didn't?

For 10 days we had the opportunity to hold his hand and tell him that we loved him. Many people never get that chance to say those words to a loved one before they pass away but we did.

On Monday, June 15th William suffered a stroke at home. We held out hope and prayed fervently that he would get better. Everyone agreed that he wouldn't want to be disabled or bed ridden, but saw some improvements. On Father's Day, he was sitting up in bed and looking through a hunting magazine. He was looking pretty good that day and we all were thinking things were looking up.

We were informed that his body was full of clots and there was a major block in the main artery in the neck and that normal life was not going to be possible. We all knew that nothing is impossible with God and still continued to pray for that miracle, but sadly by June 25th at 2:30 am, William was gone.

Selfishly, we all still want him here. Life is not the same for us. The General Manager of the farm is missing. One of the hardest workers is gone. The guy who everyone bounces ideas off of is missing. We are rattling around here, trying to figure out what to do. Tears are still stinging our eyes and the lump in our throats and hearts is still aching. Seeing my husband cry as he comes in because the backhoe needs repairs and the man who he always calls for advice is not available to take calls is really difficult.

William was a man who had a healthy anger over injustice and wrongdoing. I also saw him shed tears over someone who he loved who hurt us all very badly.

The wound is still very fresh and the scab is not starting to form yet. But one thing we are very sure of is the fact that William loved the Lord and is walking with Jesus today.

I have definately been neglecting blogging for several reasons, I guess. For a while I didn't have too much to say but with the beautiful summer it is time to blog again.
In spring, the outlook on grain farming was actually pretty good. Grain prices were going up, so many farmers were seeding all they could. That was the only good news. Yes, prices were up, but no elevators are buying any grain. We couldn't secure a grain contract anywhere. But then maybe that isn't all bad because in June and July we have maybe received 1 inch of rain in total. Our crops look absolutely horrible. Rain is now probably too late. I was reading last years blog about input costs. I figured they were about $55,000. This year with the high, high costs of fuel and fertilizer I figure they are close to $85,000 for the same amount of acres. What I could have done with that money!!
Thankfully, cattle prices are going up a bit.
But you know, life is still good. Family is all healthy. Ron and I have two awesome boys and have enjoyed spending some holiday time together. We are going into the next phase of our life as once again we become just a couple. An old married couple that is actually have fun together.

A Bad Episode of "Cops"

William could hear someone yelling, "Get down on the ground" but didn't quite put it together with the sounds of the roaring motor until it was too late. He ended up almost pinned between 2 cars at the Beaverlodge A & W. That is how the story ended but luckily there were no broken bones just some bad bruises.

Earlier yesterday morning a truck from a local business has been stolen in Grande Prairie. The employee had phoned back to Beaverlodge to ask for a ride back to our town because his truck had gone missing. The fellows from D. Ray Construction started for GP to get him and before they got very far the pick up met them just outside of town. They phoned back to the shop and got the dispatcher to phone the police. Spinning a u turn and hurry back toward Beaverlodge they followed. The dispatcher also headed toward the main highway just in time to see the truck turn into the Esso/A & W and toss a package to a waiting vehicle. Unknown to the drivers in the stolen truck, they were being persued by other employees. They needed some lunch, so they popped into the drive thru.

My mother-in-law was meeting a friend there to travel with her to GP. Parked side by side with her friend along the side of the drive thru my father-in-law, who was having a coffee there, was telling his lovely wife to put on a warmer coat. All of a sudden there was yelling and racing motor as the police had showed up with guns drawn and the thieves tried to go backward to get away, ramming the D. Ray employees behind them. Figuring they couldn't go backward, they tried to jump the curb, ramming the friends suburban smashing it into my mother-in-law's car and as a result hitting my father-in-law between the vehicle.

We feels so very fortunate that all is okay. Only bruises is such good news. The friends trapped in her suburban is just fine as well. The thieves aka drug runners have a future court date as well as warrants out of BC. I hope they get all they deserve but you know how our justice system works. I don't have much faith in it.

Dalton

He ran every where, played hard and had a ton of fun no matter what he did. Dalton was only 7 years old but had done a lifetime of adventures already.

I met Dalton when he was only 4 years old. An only child, he was gifted and very smart but I still felt like he was still so little to be going off the school. He started in playschool but soon moved on the kindergarten and started grade 1 when he should have just been going into kindergarten. He was so ready for life and he lived it fully.

One day he came on the bus with Carhart snow pants, jacket and his floppy ear winter hat and I was positive he was dressed like a teddy bear just waiting to be hugged. He made goofy faces, giggled, and laughed all the time.

Dalton loved hockey so he was definitely a boy after my own heart. Last year he would invite me to his hockey games every weekend but with most of his games starting at 8:30 am on Saturday mornings I declined. About 2 weeks ago he invited me to one of his games that was on Friday at 7 pm. I am so glad I took the time to go. He skated so hard every shift and tried his best.

The last Friday I dropped Dalton off at his house, he came running from the back of the bus, leaped off the top step and landed with a roll on the ground. He jumped up and ran full speed toward his house. He made me smile.

While GTing behind a horse drawn sleigh that made a sharp turn sending him flying toward trees, Dalton hit his head and never regained consciousness and passed away Sunday night. I had to drive by his place Monday morning just hoping that what I heard wasn't true, just hoping he would be waiting out there for me. He wasn't and when the principal wanted all the children on my bus to stay together so she could talk to them, I knew it was true.

I don't have any answers. All the whys and what ifs run rampant through my mind. Maybe our small community needed a reminder of what is most important in life and especially at this time of year. God only knows the answer to the why but I know I will be very thankful this Christmas for more time to spend with my family.

Open Season

Ah, hunting season. To some men this is greater than Christmas and a birthday party all rolled into one. Now, don't get me wrong here. My husband has always been an avid hunter and I as well have been convinced to get my tags a few times. It isn't all bad and I encourage Ron to go and join the men out south in a male bonding experience.

But those people who come from the city and just think that they can do whatever, where ever really get on my nerves. City folk, on a whole, are not evil people but when it comes to hunting season, they seem to really not quite get "it". Now by "it" I mean courtesy and precaution. Don't you know that when you see an animal, you just shoot an animal?

Case in point - The last few days a random service truck has sat right close to our house (about 50 yards). I am not quite sure what he is doing but he has sat there from about 4:30 until dark. I assume he is scoping the field. We have a field full of cows beside the house and this is where he is parked. The neighbours across the road have not given him permission to hunt, so what is he going to do when he sees something. That something could possibly be a cow.

The pick ups zoom up and down our dead end road all day and even shortly after nightfall. They often meet at the bottom and race up, turn around and come back meeting more pick ups.

The cattle lease has a portion that is not completely fenced and is accessed by a cattle gate. The sign of vehicles into that area is unbelievable, although 3 people have phoned to ask permission to hunt there, but this looks like a couple more than 3 vehicles.

What do you think would happen if I parked in a driveway in the city and just sat there for a while, then I would just wander into their backyard just to check things out.

Last year we had people killing moose and wounding elk around our house and just leaving them. People cut fences and leave gates open.

I think their mother's forgot to teach them to respect other people's property. But then isn't all farm land just available for access by all?

By the way, does any one want to buy any cows? The price is really cheap right now. Maybe 90 cents a pound or maybe even less. Sure is worthwhile being a cattle producer. What are you paying for a pound of hamburger? Think about it next time you buy beef. Who is making all that money?

The Whole World's Going to Hell and I'm Driving the Bus

Sometimes I have wondered why I drive a school bus. Barfing, sassy, disobiedent, bad kids can drive you insane not to mention those moms and dads who think their little Johnny can do no wrong and that I am just mean and picking on him. Bad roads, be it snow, mud, fog, animals that have death wishes are all part and parcel of this job. Making sure little Billy isn't forgotten at the school, napping teachers on field trips or leaving some kid behind after the teacher has done attendance and I've gotten the "let's go". Teachers and normal people all say "I could never do your job!" So why do I do it?

Some of my fondest memories come from doing this job. I'll never forget one morning I was kind of daydreaming and missed my turn in town to go to the high school and had to do a little detour. Some of my younger kids were quizzing me as to why we were going this way and I said "We are taking the Scenic Tour to school." They were all satisfied with the answer and not much more was said. The next morning somebody piped up and asked if we were going to take the "Seniors Tour" again. I thought that was a very suitable name for what I did as I felt like I must be getting old because I missed my turn. How true a statement!

One afternoon a very adorable Grade 1 girl named Sidney was standing beside my seat visiting with me. She leaned her head on my shoulder and said "Mrs. Gail (she was the only one who ever call me this) Mrs. Gail, you smell." Worrying that I had an odour problem, I asked her if it was a good smell or a bad smell. She replied "Oh its a good smell. You smell like a mommy." How can you beat that for one of the greatest compliments I have ever received.

Those are just two of the reasons I drive my school bus and well as the 26 or so other great reasons that I drive that sit behind me every day.

Saying Goodbye

Yesterday was a tough day. It still brings tears just thinking about it. My niece, her husband John and family moved to Airdrie with their jobs.

I never saw them every day, but I knew I could always see them when I went into GP. Kari would often pick me up from the bus shop when my bus was in for repairs or we would meet for lunch on another day. Kari lived around Langley from age 3 or 4 until she was 16 or so then her family came to GP for a year or so and then went back to Langley until about 4 years ago when her and John came here to work.

I know that this move is the best thing for her family and I know they will be okay, but I am selfish and liked having them near. The little girls were becoming so much fun and reminded me of when their mom was little. Angela was quite attached to "Daybell" or Darnell as everyone else calls him and "Jewya", Darnell's girlfriend Julia.

The only thing left to say is Goodbye. But I guess then I'll have to make a few trips to see them. It's not all bad. Holidays and weekends away.......