Category Archives: Boys

Boys, Construction, Family

Be Making a Half Pipe

January 8, 2014 Be Enough Leave a comment

We went to our Vtown library today.

Cancelled mom’s account.

Had a cry with our wonderful, caring library clerks.

Just a normal day in the hood.

Oh ya, we also got some books.

The boys picked up a skateboard book. They disappeared downstairs into Nana and Papa’s great basement.

While downstairs, they discovered this half pipe photo in the library book.

My parents have always had plywood boards with cut outs in them to create and play with. We had them as kids, then we gave them to our local elementary school in PG.

A few years ago, my dad made five more wooden boards for the grand kids to make forts, stores, and theatres with.

Today was a first for the boards in the Jenkins’ family – a half pipe.

I wonder what Nana would say.

Boys, cancer, Family

Be Seeing Nana’s Light While Skiing

January 6, 2014 Be Enough Leave a comment

We spent the morning x-country skiing. I debated on whether to keep our oldest out of school so that we could stay together as a family.

The debate ended when we crested the hill coming around Sovereign towards the Jungle trail and we saw this sight:

I had to lie down in the snow when JC exclaimed, “Nana’s light!”

Thank God for children, skiing, nature and Nana’s light.

Boys, cancer, Family, Parenting

Be Talking About Death

January 2, 2014 Be Enough Leave a comment

To go along with my post yesterday about no bad questions, the boys have started to concentrate their discussions about Nana on death.

The day before Nana died they boys wrote these wonderful letters to Nana, said goodbye and I love you through the window and gave kisses and hugs.

Note: KT was our dog that died in June 2012.

Today, I was singing in the car, “The name of The Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and they are safe…”
JC stops me and says, “That’s the song you were singing when we went to Vancouver and that woman died. Audrey, I think!”

Whew, a song reminding him of two Christmases ago when we went to say goodbye to Sexy Neck’s aunt Audrey. She died a couple of hours after we said goodbye.

I hope that the boys will only feel the richness of this time before and after Nana’s death. It has brought us down to ground zero in terms of what is important.

Our grief is raw but our relationships richer and our love stronger!

Boys, cancer, DP Challenge, Parenting, Uncategorized

Be Asking Questions

January 2, 2014 Be Enough 1 Comment

There is never a bad question.

We have instilled this concept in our boys. I am not sure how this would work if you have a wee one with the gift of the gab, but for us it has worked. Almost 100% of the time we take time to answer their questions. We try to answer as honestly as we can. Sometimes we simply answer, “I don’t know!”

Friday, December 20th, sitting on Nana and Papa’s couch, we sat as a group. I shared that Nana is going to die. We said we didn’t know when, but that Hospice House is a place where people go to die peacefully.

JC (6 yrs old) wept and curled in our arms. CC (4 yrs old)started asking questions. OC (2 yrs old) stared at us with his wondrous eyes.

Daddy will Nana die?
Does she know if she’s going to die?
Will she get better?
What is cancer anyways?
Why didn’t the 4th chemotherapy work?
How do the little cells do that?
Why can’t the doctors find a cure?
Do they need more money?
Why did they cut off Terry Fox’s leg?
How do you get cancer?
What will happen to Nana’s shoes?
How will we say I love you to Nana when she dies?
Where is heaven?
What is going to happen to Nana’s shoes?

No bad questions.

No good answers.

Sitting in sadness.

Boys, cancer, Family

Be Sharing Your Story – Jan & Don

December 29, 2013 Be Enough Leave a comment

I grew up on Clark Crescent. I think it was the best place in the world to grow up. Walking distance to schools, Moore’s Meadow and the store. Plus, we had the best neighbours.

Here’s our neighbours from three doors down. Mom and dad of three boys! Gotta love that!!

Hi Joanna and Michelle, Mike and all your family. I just wanted to add a bit to your wonderful blog. Some things I remember:

Your Mum -taking a course where she needed to study a child. She asked if she could do this with Ryan. I said sure as long as he was ok. Of course, easy going Ryan assented. Then you Mom said what if I do all three boys? Again. Sure if they are ok. So she did. Because all she did was confidential I never really knew what was asked or answered, but she did tell me they were classic: oldest, middle and youngest. When I see and hear of your fun exploits with your three boys Joanna, I can’t help but go back to my own years with 3boys.

Just one other thing. On your wedding day, when our friend Jean Rapaich was here at our home, doing your hair, I can’t begin to tell you how special it was to me. A GIRL in my home getting ready for her wedding day. Wow.

And your wonderful selfless Mom easily and willingly sharing that with me. Little things mean a lot. I picture Gwen- always with a wonderful smile on her face. And that’s the smile she is bestowing on your family now.

Sending love to all. Jan and Don

Boys, cancer, Family

Be Salt of the Earth Friends

December 29, 2013 Be Enough 1 Comment

Often, I have described my friends as being the salt of the earth.

Tonight, these lovely people walked through my parents door. My dad was moved to tears.

He said definitively, “These people are salt of the earth people!”

Thanks to all my parents ‘salt of the earth’ friends! We love you deeply. Thanks for being here!

Salt.

Time.

Stories.

Love

….and here’s some of my salt:

Boys, cancer, Family, Parenting

Be Preparing to Celebrate a Great Life

Aside December 28, 2013 Be Enough 3 Comments

The lights streams in down the lake as I sit at my parents kitchen table.

Dad eats his lunch and adds to our dialogue.

Jamie sits and writes my mom’s eulogy.

Auntie Gail is on the phone to fill in the gaps. Thank God for her great memory.
JC and CC practice memorizing their poem.

Marnie keeps the copious amounts of beautiful flowers and food organized.

Sexy Neck is gathering and testing AV equipment. He is so talented and a pillar of faith.

Me, I walk around in disbelief.
Numb.
Dumbfounded.
I gather photos and memorabilia that represent my mom and her life.
I add what I can, as I love having this time to talk about my beautiful mom.