Around this time each year, I ponder fatherhood, the pains and pleasures and challenges that go with it.
In attending various events to cover them for the Review, I also get a glimpse into what fatherhood means to others, such as when I took in the Comp grad ceremonies on Saturday.
It was interesting to see all the interactions between families and friends at the ceremonies and at the punch reception. During the ceremonies, Jen Woodard cited Robert Munsch’s book, “Love You Forever”, which was one of my favourite children’s books, but I can kind of identify with husband Darren who stood silently behind her as the “silent partner”, so to speak.
As a father, high school graduation is a few years behind me now, with one going on to graduate from the University of Regina with her education degree, and now my children are all making their way as young adults, as they face the challenges that adult life brings them.
But no matter how big they are or where they go, our kids will always be our babies for Tracy and I.
My eldest will be heading to school this fall to take graphic design at SIAST, which is a dream she’s been working towards for a little while now, and my youngest will be moving up to the tiny community of Big Beaver (over an hour north of Prince Albert) this summer to be with her boyfriend, who has found a good job up there.
To add to that surprise, she mentioned that she is considering getting into beekeeping, along with pursuing her artistic endeavours, such as in designing and making clothes and art. No matter where she is or what she does, I really hope she will always pursue her art, because she has such incredible creativity.
Now, on the bittersweet and poignant end of the spectrum, I also attended the tree-planting and bench-unveiling in Yellow Grass in memory of Abbie Speir.
As one of the organizers told me, it was bittersweet because of why the memorial was held, but it was positive to see the huge outpouring of support of the Yellow Grass community for Abbie’s family, who were present for the day, including her sisters, her parents and maternal grandparents.
As a Dad, it’s beyond my comprehension to think of how this has impacted her family, and this was a tragedy that no one ever wants to see happen.
I know how close my girls are to each other, and I know how very devastating it would be to them if one of them passed away, so it was very heartening to hear the comments from Abbie’s sisters in response to the support from the community.
