A Challenging Week.

It has been an intense and challenging week for me. After learning about JoJo's jaw fracture, he was taken in by the Cornell University Hospital for Animals. They did an excellent job examining his situation, and in the end he had surgery to remove 6 teeth, and is wearing a muzzle for recovery. I picked him up on Wednesday morning and drove directly back to the homestead, Whitney Road, in Ontario. I arrived at 1 p.m., just in time to meet my sister Eileen, and her family. Ashley and Ryan invited us back to tour again, so Eileen could see it. It was quite emotional, and very comforting going through it a second time. Eileen got to see her childhood bedroom, and a place she lived during her teen and young adult years. Ashley and Ryan gave us permission to spread some of my parents ashes on the property. It was a bold request, and gracious permission, and an honor to do so. As you can imagine we were quite moved by this, and left the ashes in areas on the property that were the most meaningful to both my mother and father. I don't know how it works after you pass away, but in my mind, my parents would forever be part of this beloved property. And the fact that this young family has embraced it so lovingly is beyond heartwarming. They are one of the kindest, most gracious people that I've met on this journey. 

After that emotional experience, we went on to perform the first phase of my parents request, after they passed away, and were cremated. My sister Eileen brought the ashes with her from Phoenix. At Holy Sepulchre cemetery, I wrote and read a quick writing about my parents, followed by planting some lovely flowers along with their ashes. Ron and Marina played the viola which was beautiful and comforting. We ended the day with wood fired pizza, wine, and more wine, and even some hard cider. It was quite an exhausting day filled with joy and deep sorrow.