I still have not written them a card, or a letter.
I was very rarely in touch then before my mother died, They lived just over the Quebec/Ontario boarder which added to the infrequency of our visits. It was during my mother's cancer treatment that Gary and I got to know each other. The Montreal/Ottawa/Alexandria days.
After Mum passed, Gary had his life in Ontario, and we didn't see much of him. Nan and Pop woiuld see him most when he would drive in. Then it got a little difficult for him to visit Montreal becaause he had gotten together with Barbara, it made Nan quite uncomfortable.
Then comes Gary's cancer diagnosis...
And his marriage to Barbara...
And his interferon/radiation treatments...
In my mind and heart, I've started writing to them, but not in the real world...
Loren suggested that I call them last night (she has been regularly suggesting it for some time now)...I finally did...and it was a very good idea. We had a wonderful talk. Barbara's daughter Alison (from previos marriage) gave birth, and Barbara's mother passed away all within 18 hours, on Christmas eve, or Christmas day.
Gary's in the middle of his treatment and Barbara has gone through those family biths and deaths...
I can not begin to imagine what they are going though.
I was very touched by their stories, their courage and their faith.
I am very thankful that Loren kept on me to contact them.