Tag Archives: Family

cancer, christmas, Family

Be Jenny Penner designer for Elle Mikal Designs

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Jenny from Elle Mikal design was one of the first people I told when I knew my mom was going to die. She has prayed, sewn and her gift of a toque and word for everyone has helped each of us walk this journey with my mom and dad in style and with God’s anointing.

Here is what she wrote to us:

May each of you receiving your hand-stitched toque/hat today open hearts to the prayers that have been prayed for you in specific… each hat has been carefully named with much more meaning behind the name itself. It is my prayer that each of you will receive all that has been stitched into you as you wear your Toque/ Hat.
Elle Mikal means… Who is like God? Each of us have been created and designed by God for God for the display of His Splendour.
Each Toque/Hat has either a flower for Fragrance of the Glory of God or a circle that represents Rejoice…sometimes life is difficult
sometimes life is ok
sometimes life is good
sometimes life is great…
in it all there is joy
a circle of joy
but mostly there is… Elle Mikal
Glory to God in the Highest!!!

Revelation 22:1-5 NLT
“Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.”

20131223-201350.jpgThe Family of Toques

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Mom

20131223-201400.jpgMom and Dad

20131223-201409.jpgMom and Michelle

20131223-201415.jpgMom and I

20131223-201424.jpgMom, Michelle and I

20131223-201430.jpgThe Mitton/Jenkins Family

20131223-201437.jpgRea, Rogelio, Yago and Rio

20131223-201442.jpgJamie, Marnie and Baby (due in March)

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My Family

Thank you Elle Mikal design for sharing your God given gift with us.

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cancer, christmas

Be Sharing Your Story – Bev & Darryl

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My dad’s “other brother Darryl” and his beautiful Bev came to visit today.

Here is their journey:

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They share a beautiful gift that children give us and the love of family. I wrote how butterflies seem to be a theme for us right now here.

And then I got this note:

Dear Jenkins Family,

It was so nice to see you all yesterday, and especially to be able to see Gwen and hold her hand for a few moments. We are all thinking about you so much and following your journey . It was such a coincidence today that our granddaughter , Isla, insisted on putting on her summer butterfly dress ( she made her Mom dig it out of the summer clothes box) and drew a butterfly picture for us. We truly feel the connection to everything you shared with us about butterflies and your Mom. We will think of her always when we see a beautiful butterfly. Our love and prayers are with you tonight.
Love to All
Darryl, Bev,Kristi, Shannon and Trinity

December 24th
Dear Joanna,

Words cannot express how saddened I am that your family must take this journey so early in your mother’s life. As has been said many times, her beautiful smile and infectious laugh will be missed by many. Her legacy will be the inner strength she has passed on to her two beautiful daughters. From the moment of birth we have to complete many journeys that God has asked us to do. This journey is one that your mother’s teaching will see you through. Let it be known that Steve (aka sexy neck) and Craig are blessed to have the Jenkins girls and families in their lives. When your Mom moves on to a new world your Dad will continue to help guide his family through these journeys. When I am travelling through the woods or at one of my favourite fishing haunts and a beautiful butterfly arrives I will be sure to know its significance. May you and your family find peace in your inner strength.

God bless.

Hugs to all.

Coach Darryl.

cancer, Family

Be Sharing Your Story – Don

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Thanks for sharing your stories, Don.

Dear Mike, JJ, Steve, Michelle, Craig, Rea, and Families,

So many memories come back to me….eg; the story I related to you ,JJ, to tell your Mama about our time in Nice…so many, many good memories of our walks with her and with Art along the Promenade Des Anglais and our travels back and forth to our Hotel Trocadero from our French lessons!! I do hope you might still have my emailed story involving Brook Greenberg to relate to Michelle and Rea.

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It is hard to believe that the last time I saw you all was up at Sovereign x-c ski area…..on Boxing Day ….the same day of the horrible Tsunami in Indonesia….such a very long time ago !! I wonder if you might recall that meeting? I was skiing with my niece Katie.

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One of my indelible memories was of the surprise visit to the Vimy Memorial. Our bus was on its way to the Ferry at Calais and we had made good progress en route so had time to stop.
As we turned off the highway into the site….our bus driver( or our guide) told all of us that we were entering hallowed ground and the Memorial was actually legally a part of Canada located within France…. What I recall of our group was the almost complete silence….they were so respectful of what we were experiencing….everyone, when they said anything…spoke in hushed whispers…..and I vividly remember that there was not a sound from the whole bus for many, many minutes after we left this Memorial to our brave Canadian Soldiers.

A funny memory I have on that bus ride was the ‘impish’ Brook who decided to fix my hair with styling gel ….we were heading headed for the ferry, I believe…..not sure if any photos of that incident exist….I just sat in my seat as he styled my hair…I thought it was hilarious…wonder if your Mom, Michelle or Rea remember it?

The other incident occured in London….when 14 year old Marnie…and I think Tracy(?) decided to ‘ go out on the town ‘ .after we just returned to our hotel after a perfomance of Starlight Express. When Art or Gwen did a bed check…and discovered they were not in their room…well, were we worried??? !!!…and I remember Art and I going out on a dark London Street …flagging down a police car to ask if they had seen two girls out on the street . Can’t recall how how they got back , however, it all turned OK…. but for a time we were sure worried!!

I have a very funny slide of Rae trying to change at the beach in Cannes…with your Mom holding a beach mat around her…Kathy Jenkins also in the photo…..so many good, close-up slide photos of many of the group ..especially during the great afternoons sunning and studying(?) spent on the beaches…and also the fun at the water slides in nearby Antibes.

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The other funny story I related in an earlier email back in September, I think….was of Brook walking past Art, your Mom and me as we were enjoying une grande biere at a sidewalk cafe…it was a very hot, humid night …30 C at least ( Michelle or Rea…is Biere masculine or feminine??) I guess I could look it up in my French -English dictionary!! Brook said he was out late as he had been the Designated Walker for the evening ensuring that two of our girls made it back to their billets safely after the big beach party!!

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cancer, Family

Be Having A Sunday Morning Update

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Mom is having a deep rest this morning after her sleepover with M. She had her morning wash, tooth brush and massage. She loves having her back rubbed. She was even able to swing her legs over the edge of the bed and even had a sip of boost. Her first bit of nourishment in a week.

She was so happy to see her nephew Jamie and niece Marnie. She was waiting for them. She had the biggest smile when she saw Jamie and Marnie. She said, “Ahhhhh, Jamie!”

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We are just awaiting M’s girls and C to arrive.

Today, Wendy heads back up to PG to be our angel up there and spend time with her family. She was able to get to us first and help us in the hospital. She was a huge support and I couldn’t have made it through the last night in the hospital without her.

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Auntie Gail heads back to the Lower Mainland to be our angel down there. Her son, Dave, drove through the snow to get her here! Gail is the most incredibly caring sister i have seen. The respect and love she has for my mom is priceless. We are so grateful for them both.

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Uncle Bill also heads back to the Island. He is a pillar of strength for our family. My dad’s old business partner, confidante and just incredible man.

Gail and Bill saying goodbye:

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We couldn’t do this alone.

The strength you see in us is a reflection of God’s love, my mom’s and all of you back in the world who are holding us up in prayer and thought. My sister is a prayer warrior and she has literally held us up in prayer these last months. Her and C have done amazing feats to physically be here as well. What a pair!

This is a rich, beautiful, peaceful time. Mom is in no pain. We are enjoying sharing time as a family.

There is no fear in death. This is an incredible family time filled with tears, laughter, peace and sadness.

WE ARE PROUD TO BE MOM’S MIDWIVES THROUGH THIS PROCESS.

Boys, cancer, Family

Be ‘Conquering’ Your Pain

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Today, I am pondering pain. We all got it somewhere, sometimes.

Today, I got me some pain watching my Mama in pain.

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Sitting beside mom in her ER hospital bed, looking at her scrunched up chin, hands that can’t relax and toes that need to dance now that is some pain.

Mom has been a warrior when it comes to pain management. She tries to take the minimal amount of medication with thoughtful purpose. She doesn’t want to take too much for too long! But even she sometimes can’t ‘conquer’ her pain. Sometimes we all need a little help!

Today, mom made the decision to travel in style via ambulance to get easily into the Emergency Room in Vtown. She said the ride was a bit bumpy lying in the back over those wheel wells. Then, she waited patiently for most of the day to hear that she would be admitted into the hospital. They have her pain managed intravenously and she is starting to relax in this noisy place. Whew!

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Sexy Neck sent me some interesting reading from the Mayo clinic while I was hanging out with Mama. It is great information about cancer patients and pain. Just a little light reading. 😉

This week, I read a quote in a book that went a little something like this:

We can sit in our pain now and notice it or we can deal with it later. But, we will have to deal with the pain sometime.

My other quote for today: “The well is deep, the scoop strong, and the grip even stronger. Holding on to holding on.”

Noticing.

Strength.

Sitting.

Deepness.

Conquering by being present.

Devastation.

Pain.

F*ck you cancer.

Apparently, I got me some anger today too!

Fifteenth Day of advent and I threw out an F-word.

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PS. M, if you are reading this. All the balls are still in the air. Costco shopping is still suspended. We got our peeps in line. Three week cycle unfolds on the weekend. Trying to contact the other M for pain plan. Having difficulty. Mom will be here a few days. Chemo may be postponed.