Dear Aunt Carole - a few of my memories

 I tried to offer these thoughts in the Condolence book but it didn't work. 

To Carole's husband Yvon and the children, and to her brother Emile and family,

Dear Uncle Yvon

Mike and I are very saddened to hear of the passing of Aunt Carole. I have very fond memories of my dear aunt. Like the two of us gliding back and forth on the wooden swing on Sweetland Ave., all the while playing the game "I Spy Something with my little eye" I loved grandma's back yard, especially the swing. Mom and Grandma would be chatting and laughing with Aunt Adelaide at the fence that divided the properties at the back, house dresses blowing in the wind like the clothes on the clothesline. They were probably wearing aprons too. As I think back, It looked like a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting. It was in the 50's so you know

And I smile as I remember visiting Grandpa and Grandma at their cottage in Burnett on the Gatineau River when I was very young, probably about 4 or 5.  Aunt Carole and I walking along the train tracks to the beach was fun. I didn't go into the water though, probably afraid of water snakes. God, why did you make snakes? 

I can still remember the smell of the tracks ( I kind of liked that smell: weird eh?) Also the trees and wildflowers. There is a certain smell in the air in August which reminds me of Grandma and Grandpa's cottage, so I'm thinking it was sometime in August. I watched Aunt Carole swinging back and forth for a long team it seems. "Wow, what a good swimmer," I thought. I miss my aunt Carole!

Michael expresses his condolences too. We had a mass offered for her soul last Sunday
(Nov. 5th, 9:am) at our Church of the Annunciation of the Lord Parish in Ottawa, ON

May her soul and all the souls of the Faithful departed, through the Mercy of God rest in peace. Amen

Love and Prayers,

Michael and Maureen xoxo

Peonies

 

Peonies remind me of my parents, Jim and Elaine Maloney. Mom and Dad's peonies were out in full splendor on June 15, 1968, the day Grandpa and I were married, It was a beautiful sunny day and our wedding reception was at home. Thanks, Mom and Dad (great-grandparents to you Samantha) The garden was beautiful with a magnificent array of colors but I think the peonies won first prize

Remember the song from Oklahoma Spring is busting out all over, all over the meadows and the hills. Well, you wouldn't because it was way before your time. Those words describe June 15th, 1968 (My Mom, Your great grandma Elaine ) often played music from Broadway Musicals as she worked around the house and I used to know all the songs from Oklahoma, The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady.................. )
 Not long after Grandpa and I were married my parents moved to Lanark and brought the peonies with them. They moved a few times after that and each time the peonies tagged along. 

The plants I have now go back to the 60's I believe.

I remember the day Daddy  ( your great grandfather Jim Maloney ) dug them up for me from their garden in Kemptville. It was the Fall of 1993 a few months after Grandpa and I moved to our present home on Blue Jay Crescent. My Dad ( your great grandpa helped me to plant them. I think he wanted to make sure I planted them deep enough.

My dad loved gardening, especially growing tomatoes. We, kids, call him the patron saint of tomatoes.  After mom died and he moved to Longfields Manor in Barrhaven, he was given a little garden plot in the yard and he grew tomatoes for the residents. He also had the "Watering the indoor plants" detail

Mom and Dad, I miss you so much
I wish you could see all your adorable grandkids and great grandkids
💑