Golden Ears DeMolay

The latest news on our kids` youth group activities.
Last weekend was the Chapters installation of Officers.
Here they are on the Hall Porch, getting psyched up for the big night.
This young guy seems to be reading his tea leaves! I wonder if they forecast a sucsessful evening. This is Chris the new Master Councilor and his Sweetheart Jolene. This is most of the gang, doing the official group shot after the installation. The older lady on the left is Aunty Grace. She is 90 but stays so young because of her involvement with the youth. They keep her busy. She has the distinguished title `Sweetheart for Life`The kids all love her dearly! There is Troy (Kayla`s brother ) beside and to the back of the girl in the long pink dress. Andrew in the back and Keith on the right. Keith is the Chapter Dad. Behind him is Dad Wright, another very involved parent volunteer.

Cutting the cake, with the help of a couple of very strange young men! The guys always wear their pink ties, which one of the moms makes. Hot Pink is the chapter colour.One of my jobs for the group, is to sew the Past Sweetheart's sash. This is Janelle, who has just finished a very successful term.They will wear these sashes for years to come any time they attend a Demolay formal function. So they will take a little piece of me with them whenever they wear them.This is my daughter, Heidi and her best friend, Stephanie, one of the past Sweethearts. She had an awesome term. They look so classy in this shot, I think. Chris had asked Heidi to be his Sweetheart, but she declined. Heidi shys away from the lime light. Here, Troy and Jeff, the imediate past Master Councellor, chill on the front porch.Jolene and her friend at the punch fountain.

Demolay and Jobs Daughters are great outlets for kids who love to doll up and dont mind being chaperoned. As a parent, I cant say enough good things about this organization.

Rose Queen

Taken by a newspaper photographer and published in the Bolton Evening News in I believe 1972. My sisters and I were in the Rose Queen Parade. Here, I am telling my sisters to act like ladies and stop messing about. All the kids in our Sunday School were involved. Every church in town had their own Royal Ensemble, and on the big day, all came together for a big parade of Queens, Princesses, Prince Charmings, Ladies in Waiting, Train bearers, flower girls and the like.
Recently in the next town, My dear friend Deanna had her daughter in the May Day Parade, as a princess in the May day Parade.
Does your community do similar thing and were you ever involved in anything like this?

Cheeky Sod

This is a post card I received from my mum and dad. It is written by my dad (AKA Outhouse Capital of Canada, see my side bar). It is a beautiful picture of a bridge he visited while on holiday in the UK. My Dad is a bridge collector. He visits bridges wherever he travels and photographs them. He also collects total eclipses of the sun. Very interesting fella. Click on the image below to enlarge so you can read what he wrote.



Have you ever had anyone send you a card and tell you to save it for them?
Anyways, seems they are having a nice time. LEE, who he mentioned in this text is my Mums cousin.

The Family Stone

Several times this spring we have had occasion to go on some wonderful road trips to and from Edmonton. It is an all day drive. I love car trips. The scenery is fantastic. People come from all over the world to see these Rocky Mountains. Here we are blessed to have them so close by.

Load up the cds so there is plenty of entertainment. Once you get into the mountains you are out of radio range, so cd's are a must have: second only to a camera!

The wildlife is astounding. Returniing home this last time, we were stopped by a huge herd of Mountain Sheep. They walked along the road, stopping traffic. Some motorists got out of their cars for a closer photo. I felt safer staying in the vehicle thank you. See the big horns, I wouldnt like to see how much damage they could do if they felt threatened! There must have been over thirty of these fellas nibbling along the road side.

Another pit stop was at Jasper National Park. Great Aunty Valerie wanted to stop there to locate some old buildings that her grandfather had built. This one is the old tourist information center, right the by train tracks. It is such a beautiful building, made of a pink stone. What an honor to be able to touch something built by an ancestor. Keith is so fortunate to have such a rich family history. A block over from this is the Jasper Aquatic Center. He also constructed the stone work on this building. What a gifted man he must have been. More to come on our travels soon.

Goodnight and Thanks for dropping by.

HOME

'My Brothers, in this hour of consecration I again remind you of that sacred thing called home. There is a magic in that little word, home; it is a mystic circle that surrounds comforts and virtues never known beyond its hallowed limits. It is the cradle - the very bulwark of our civilization. Ever since you first knelt at the Alter of DeMolay, you have been committed to the high purpose of being a better son, a better husband, a better father and a better man as the years move on. As a Chevalier, I dedicate you anew to the DeMolay ideal of home and all that word implies.'

We have been busy...again. Seems these days , we are always busy. Sometimes it's tiring, but we are enjoying the time we spend with our kids, because they wont be kids for much longer. I know plenty of people with kids the same age as mine and they hardly spend any time together. I think that's really sad.

Our oldest son Andrew is halfway through his 20th year. Both our boys have committed much of their time over the years to a youth organization called DeMolay. Last week, Andrew was conferred with the degree of Chevalier, the highest honor for an active Demolay, and is not given out very often. This will be his last year with the organization. He will be leaving a strong group with a growing membership and a dedicated team of adult leaders. Andrew has been instrumental is reviving this chapter, along with other boys support. In the photo above, he is presented with a Gavel, hand crafted by DP one of the very committed adult leaders of our group. He has watched Andrew grow from a shy young 11 year old to a confident young leader. The Gavel is a symbol of leadership and authority. The yellow cord around his neck was also awarded to him, that is his Chevalier cord. I love this Order and, all for which it stands. Its teachings for honor and respect of family and parents, patriotism and brotherhood are lessons that too often, are not learned by todays young men. HERE IS A LINK to the outline of the ceremony which was held for Andrew. The excerpt at the top of the page was taken from the ceremony of Chevalier, and sums up what I think Demolay stands for. What Mom wouldn't want her son to live by this jist?

Grandma (Keith's Mom), cousin Jocelyn and Auntie Sheila (my sister), Also Grandpa, Great Aunt Valerie and Cousin Jayden were also there. My parents couldn't attend as they are out of the country.
This is just one of the things we have been up to lately. This ceremony actually had been planned for months and was held the same day as Kayla's funeral, it made a good distraction for our family, as none of us could be in Edmonton for that sacred observance. As sad as Kayla's passing is... Life goes on. That's not said lightly. I believe we have to keep on living and keep her memory alive in our day to day actions. By sharing days like this with friends and family, we begin to heal.

Masked Bandit

Before I say anything else, I just want to wish Herman many happy returns on the occasion of his 70th birthday yesterday. Herman is a wonderful friend and also happens to have a really great blog! Pop by and tell him Susan sent you.

We have been having a little visitor on our balcony. A little masked Bandit climbs up over the railing to steal the cats food. Raccoons are cute to look at, but can be extremely vicious if cornered or have young nearby. I love to watch him, but am worried about our pets coming to harm. So we are bringing the cat food in at night and when the bandit shows up, Keith goes out and scares him away.

We are doing pretty well here on the whole. Dont worry, Ill be back to my normal Blog routine soon. Lots to catch you up on.

THINK OF ME

OBITUARY

Sadly, we will not be attending Kaylas Roman Catholic funeral. We have drained the bank with all our visits to her over the past couple of months. I don't begrudge one penny of it, and I am glad we spent the time with her while she was alive. I'll be thinking of her on Saturday. Her Dad, who lives here in BC, will be bringing her ashes home with him. We will have a memorial here shortly for all those in this province to say their goodbyes and get some closure. Then she will be interred in Surrey,BC beside her Gandmother, as Kayla had wished. The following is her obituary, please feel free to make a comment in the guest book if you would like.

St. Cyr, Kayla

View/Sign Guest Book
ST. CYR, Kayla Marie August 07, 1990 - May 02, 2008 Kayla will be greatly missed by her father, Norman, her mother, Adrienne; brothers, Troy, Nick and John. And her sister Lexie; Grandparents Harvey and Pat and Grandpa Keith, plus numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends. Kayla was predeceased by her maternal Grandmother Stefania. A Prayer Service will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M., Thursday, May 08, 2008 at First Memorial - Harmony Chapel, 10541-81 Avenue, Edmonton. A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 P.M., Saturday, May 10, 2008 at St Theresa's Roman Catholic Church, 7508-29 Avenue, Edmonton. Kayla, with the help and care of the staff in 4E3 at the Stollery Children's Hospital fought cancer with amazing strength and with GOD'S grace for the past two years. In lieu of floral tributes donations may be made to the Kid's with Cancer Society, 307, 8215-112 NW Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2C8. Condolences may be sent to http://www.firstmemorialfuneral.com/ First Memorial Funeral Services - Harmony Chapel 433-7335
Published in the Edmonton Journal on 5/7/2008.
Notice • Guest Book • Funeral home info

Light a Candle for Kayla

Thank you for all your ongoing love and prayers.
We have returned from Edmonton and are safely home now. I dont feel much like writing just yet. I just want to bask in my memories for a while. I did want to pass on this link though, that was sent to me in an email from Kathy Bell.

It is a site called light a candle, where you can go to light a candle for Kayla.
Click here to light a candle for her.

I will make sure her family all know about it so they might get comfort from your support.

The End of Kayla's Journey

Kayla Marie St.Cyr

August 7, 1990 - May 2, 2008

Kayla went to heaven this afternoon at 4:40. I held one of her hands and her dad held her other. She was surrounded by family and her dearest friends. Now she is at peace.

Thank you to all who travelled this journey with us.

Princess for a Day

Hello Everyone,
Thanks for your wonderful thoughts and prayers, you dont know how much difference that makes! Kayla is resting comfortable. She is on alot of pain medication, so she is very drowsy. She likes listening to family softly speaking and reminiscing, and she occasionally nods or makes short comments. Her eyes are closed but she is aware of who is with her.
Kayla had a very full day today. This morning was her graduation. She wore a beautiful satin dress of royal blue, with a matching necklace and a dainty, silver tiara. She looked resplendent! Her boyfriend brought her a sweet wrist corsage made with daisies. Kaylas principal from school and a whole bunch of teachers and students were there from the school, also many nurses and other hospital staff. One nurse brought in her keyboard and another guy played guitar. Kayla was presented with her graduation diploma as she lay in bed surrounded by so many caring people. Her upcoming grad and prom was one milestone that she had been feeling very sad about missing. The folks who put this ceremony together are absolute angels. After everyone left. the family sat quietly keeping her company. She was very tired from all the excitement. As she lay in bed, unable to keep her eyes open, but semi conscious, beneath her oxygen mask, a small smile continued to linger on her lips for a long while. She truely looked content. It gave me great comfort to see that another one of her dreams came true, (the 1st being the tattoo) she looked so peaceful as she basked in the afterglow of this happy morning.
A short while later, Kayla was visited by a small troop of RCMP officers, who had been involved with her in the Cop For A Day Cancer Benefit. They brought her momentos of that special day and a soft RCMP teddy. She was worn out from all the excitement, but was content.
In the afternoon, every one went to eat, but I stayed behind and had some quiet one on one time with Kayla for a few hours. Several other people stopped by, but she was just too tired for any more visitors.
Several times, throughout the day, nurses offered to get her changed, but she softly refused. We just left the hospital at midnight, and she was still wearing that dress. She told her Daddy, that today, she really felt like a princess, and she cant believe how many people really care about her. Once again she said how she felt really honored to have had the cranes made for her.
Her dad and brother Troy are sitting with her tonight.
As I sit here at this late hour of the night, I can hear the birds singing ! I wonder if they are singing for Kayla?
Thank you for checking in.
Love Susan