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Friday, 22 July 2011

Down A Very Steep Hill.

Down a very steep hill, about a thirty minute walk from my mum and step-dad's home, is the shoreline of a town named White Rock, British Columbia.  If you've ever been to White Rock, you will know what I mean about that very steep hill.



When I got to to the bottom of that very steep hill, before me was the twilight vision of White Rock pier.


I strolled along the pier and looked at the twinkling lights along the White Rock shoreline.


Here is a view from the end of the pier.  I stood there and thought about the deeply profound and inspirational moments of my trip back home to Canada.


Back to the beginning point of the pier and night had immersed the White Rock sky.  I turned around and realised that now I would have to go back up that very steep hill.


Back to the house and one last sleep.  I looked out my bedroom window and knew that soon, very soon, I would be back in England.  Back to my other life, my other world, a different reality.  


Thank you Hope, thank you Vancouver, thank you White Rock, thank you Canada.  Thank you to my friends and family for making this the most poignant and profound experience of my life.  
I dedicate this posting to my friend and a man I call my brother.   Wayne, the shackles have been broken and you are free to fly.....
at

32 comments:

  1. FANCY the Red Standard Poodle22 July 2011 at 02:43

    Hi Y'all,

    and We thank you for such a poignant post.

    BrownDog's Human

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous22 July 2011 at 03:24

    Hi Gary. We thank you too. I am so very grateful for the time you were able to spend with Wayne. Eventhough he was so ill, it meant a great deal to him as he had so much love and respect for your friendship. I know he made a mark in your heart as well. He made an indelible mark in my soul. I shall miss him dearly.

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  3. The Manic Chef22 July 2011 at 04:37

    My dear Friend Gary, I'm so sorry to hear that your friend Wayne has passed. It was not that long ago you saw him while in Canada.
    This was a lovely dedicated posting, filled with longing, memories, and some sadness. My thoughts are with you, and......a prayer. later.....

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  4. GEM22 July 2011 at 08:20

    Hi Gary

    So sorry to hear about Wayne but I guess at least you'll be thankful to have got to see him one last time.

    Some lovely pictures :)

    Take Care

    GEM

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  5. Old Kitty22 July 2011 at 09:14

    I've just read the other comments. I am so sorry to hear about your friend, Wayne. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

    It was an amazing trip - I loved all your pics and posts about your journey there. I hope you get to visit again soon but I'm so glad you are back here with Penny and your Wee Folk and family!!! Take care
    x

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  6. Samantha Vérant22 July 2011 at 09:37

    Gary, I, too, am sorry to hear about your friend. I hope you'll cherish the last moments you were able to spend with him.

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  7. The Blogger Formerly Known As22 July 2011 at 11:17

    Great photos of some glorious scenery, Gary. I’ve only ever flown over Canada, but now I would love to visit it.

    Sorry to hear about Wayne. I hope you can bring yourself to celebrate his life more than mourning it. Easier said than done though, I know :)

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  8. Anonymous22 July 2011 at 12:06

    Oh Gary, I am so sorry to hear of your friends death. Your last words made me think of Ronald Reagans words after the Challender disaster. He quoted a line from a poem called High Flight by Jon Gillespie Magee Jr. "I have slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God." I believe your friend Wayne will now "dance the skies on laughter silvered wings."
    My condolences to you, his wife and family members. What a blessing that you got to spend time with him just recently.

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  9. Joylene Nowell Butler22 July 2011 at 17:40

    Deepest condolences. I wish I had your gift for expression. I wrote the eulogy for my MIL last night. It was difficult. My last memories are of a frail body and a woman deteriorating. I'm trying to remember her vibrancy. Instead I'm consumed by images of someone who hung on longer than she needed to. Except maybe not.

    I'm so happy that you were able to spend time with Wayne. I have a feeling those moments were a blessing for him.

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  10. klahanie22 July 2011 at 22:18

    Hi BrownDog's Human,
    And thank you for your kind interaction. It is sincerely appreciated.
    With respect, Gary.

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  11. klahanie22 July 2011 at 22:24

    Hi Heather,
    Those special moments that we shared will be cherished as wondrous gifts. I was blessed to have had that time with Wayne.
    His impact on my life was profound and has turned out to be most poignant.
    Dear Heather, Wayne was testimony to such determination in trying to embrace moments of positivity, when it could of been all too easy to have embraced negativity.
    Here's to a remarkable man and to you. Bless you Heather and know that I will always be here for you.
    In peace and respect, Gary.

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  12. klahanie22 July 2011 at 22:29

    Hi Manic Chef,
    Thank you and yes I am grateful I had those times with him, with both of them, in a town named Hope.
    My thoughts, prayers and wishes are with Heather and her family as I grieve in my own special way for a man who was more than a friend, but a brother in seeking a better way, a better world.
    Take care and may you have a peaceful and positive day.
    In kindness, Gary

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  13. klahanie22 July 2011 at 22:48

    Hi GEM,
    Thanks for your kind words and I'm truly blessed to have been able to spend that special and inspirational time with Wayne.
    I thank you for liking the photos.
    May you have a very peaceful and positive weekend, GEM.
    With warm wishes, your way, Gary :)

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  14. klahanie22 July 2011 at 22:56

    Hi Old Kitty,
    Thank you so much for your kind words. I know that Heather will be most grateful, as I am, for your thoughtful wishes.
    It was an amazing trip. I sensed before I went that it would be a deeply profound and emotional time. The highs, the lows, the sharing and caring, were a wonder to behold.
    It was most therapeutic doing these postings and sharing those photos. I look forward to my next trip back to my other home.
    And yes, I'm back here in England with Penny, and off in the garden, are some rather soaked magical wee folks...
    May you and Charlie has a wonderful weekend.
    Gary
    x

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  15. klahanie22 July 2011 at 23:02

    Hi Samantha,
    Thank you,Samantha. I shall forever cherish those moments I had with Wayne. I shall reflect and smile about the happy times we shared.
    Have a lovely weekend.
    In kindness and respect, Gary

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  16. klahanie22 July 2011 at 23:10

    Hi Masked Friend,
    I'm pleased you liked the photos of some glorious scenery. I do so hope you get the chance to visit Canada.
    Indeed, I shall endeavour to celebrate and rejoice all those special and happy times I got to share with Wayne and his remarkable wife and very dear friend, Heather.
    May you have a most peaceful and positive weekend, my friend.
    In kindness and respect, Gary

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  17. klahanie22 July 2011 at 23:21

    Hi Delores,
    Thank you so much for such a kind and thought provoking comment.
    Those words express, quite poignantly, some of the ambience within my last paragraph.
    It was very much a blessing that I got to spend those precious moments with Wayne, with both of them. I know that your condolences will be warmly appreciated by Heather as they are by me.
    May you have a peaceful and happy weekend.
    With kind wishes and respect, your way, Gary

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  18. klahanie22 July 2011 at 23:45

    Hi Joylene,
    These have been trying and emotional times. I know that your eulogy is written from the heart and I'm sure you recall, with much fondness, all those joyous and magical times you had with your beloved mother-in-law. I know that we treasure those times with the people we love that help mould the people that we are.
    I'm very grateful I had the chance to see Wayne before he went to sleep and found that he could fly.
    Bless you Joylene and peaceful wishes to you and your loved ones.
    In peace and respect, Gary.

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  19. Susan Scheid23 July 2011 at 03:25

    These photographs are beautiful, just beautiful. I'm glad to see that your trip to Canada was rich and good, and welcome back to your home in England!

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  20. John23 July 2011 at 11:00

    Hi Gary,
    So sorry to hear about your friend Wayne. So sad when a life is cut short, but joyful that there is no longer pain and hurt. Your life is more full having known such a remarkable person and for that you are blessed.
    Hoping you have a peaceful weekend.
    J
    Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES

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  21. Jemi Fraser23 July 2011 at 19:15

    Beautiful photos. I'd love to see that part of the country one day. I'm glad you got the time to enjoy life with your friends. :)

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  22. klahanie24 July 2011 at 01:08

    Hi Susan,
    Thanks for liking the photographs. I admire the photos you have on your wonderful and informative site.
    My trip to Canada was more poignant and profound than even I could have visualised. It is indeed nice to be back in my own home and finally getting back to some sort of routine.
    Thanks Susan and have a great weekend.
    Gary :)

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  23. klahanie24 July 2011 at 01:19

    Hi John,
    Indeed, I'm experiencing mixed emotions. Sadness yet joy. For I was blessed to have spent some special times with Wayne. And now I know he is no longer going through the pain and the anguish
    that was so cruelly thrust upon him. I know I'm a better man for having Wayne, for a few magical moments, be a part of my life.
    May you also have a peaceful weekend, my friend.
    With respect and kind wishes, Gary.

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  24. klahanie24 July 2011 at 01:22

    Hi Jemi,
    Thank you and I do so hope you manage to visit British Columbia, some day soon. I'm very grateful to have had that time with some very dear and remarkable friends.
    Take very good care, Jemi.
    I'm sending you more peaceful and positive wishes from my blog :)
    Gary

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  25. Hilary Melton-Butcher24 July 2011 at 08:12

    Hi Gary .. I'm sorry I'm so late in picking up that Wayne has died - but what a wonderful time you were able to spend with him and I bet that visit meant so much to them both .. and you.

    I've some friends who live in White Rock .. but have never visited .. I might get there one day!

    You had a wonderful trip and were able to enjoy time with Wayne - even more memorable now .. with thoughts - Hilary

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  26. joanne25 July 2011 at 23:56

    Hi Gary... i've stopped by a few times since your post, made my way over to Heather's as well... and in both places have been at a loss for words... i suppose part of it is the feeling that death is something so intimate and personal and as a stranger sitting thousands of miles away it feels like i'm somewhat intruding to insert myself into it... and i suppose too that i want to say something more than i'm sorry for your loss... but what can anyone say that could really make a difference or ease the suffering that accompanies the absence of someone so loved... what could anyone say... other than to thank you for sharing Wayne with us to the extent we could get to know him through your writing and Heather's writing... both Heather and Wayne having had so much determination, courage, strength and above all... love...

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  27. klahanie26 July 2011 at 01:57

    Hi Hilary,
    Thanks Hilary and I cherish all those special moments I got to share with my dear friend, Wayne. I know that my visit was an emotional time for all concerned. At times heartbreaking and at times, so very uplifting.
    I do so hope you make it to White Rock. However, if you walk down that very steep hill, there is a return journey :)
    And yes, my trip was even more poignant that I could of visualised.
    In peace, Gary.

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  28. klahanie26 July 2011 at 02:10

    Hi Joanne,
    My dear friend, I understand what you are saying. When I wrote this posting, I tried to formulate it in such a way that it would be discreet and thus relate my own perspective.
    Your thoughtful and poignant response is warmly received and I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to share my deeply moving and life changes experiences I had with two kind, caring and beautiful people. What can anyone say? No words, no adjectives give justice to my thoughts, my emotions. Yet, we have witnessed the undying power of true love.
    Thank you so much, Joanne.
    In peace and positive wishes, your way, Gary.

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  29. LilPixi30 July 2011 at 03:31

    Oh, Gary, I'm so sorry.
    I didn't get to read this saddening news until now.

    It was nice you got to have those precious moments with him before he passed. I'm sending so much love your way and to Wayne's wife & family. You all are very much in my thoughts & prayers.

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  30. klahanie30 July 2011 at 19:27

    Hi LilPixi,
    Thank you for your kind words and loving thoughts to all concerned. I know that Heather embraces the moments of comfort.
    I truly cherish those precious times I had with Wayne. Grateful that we managed to share such inspirational and poignant moments.
    Bless you, my dear friend.
    With respect and peaceful wishes, your way, Gary

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  31. Kelly1 August 2011 at 03:17

    Beautiful pictures and beautiful words. It seems like you were greatly inspired by Heather and her husband. I wish to offer my heartfelt condolences to you and, especially, Heather. I just caught on that he has recently passed by reading Heather's comment.

    I wish Heather and you strength and well being.

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  32. klahanie1 August 2011 at 21:58

    Hi Kelly,
    Thank you, my friend. I have been inspired and humbled by what I experienced. Before the outset of my trip to Canada, I knew it was going to be a special time with Heather and Wayne. It has turned out to be more poignant than I would have ever imagined.
    Thanks for your words of comfort and I know that Heather will be touched by what you have said.
    In peace and positive wishes, your way, Gary

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I do try to comment back to each commenter individually. However, I might have to shorten my replies or give a group thank you. That way, I can spend more time commenting on your blogs. Thank you and peace, my friend.