Editor: Fifteen years ago this month, my love brought me up to his beloved Canada. I had given him my heart three years prior and he had talked endlessly of the grace and beauty of the North.
We didn’t test out any other areas, but came straight to the Bow Valley. And I immediately fell in love. We lived two years in Canmore before settling in Exshaw.
We built a life here, had four beautiful children and never once regretted our decision or wished to be anywhere else.
On May 25 of this year, our dear doctor, with tears in his eyes, presented us with devastating news. Blue’s colon, liver, stomach and lungs were being attacked by a deadly disease, cancer.
Over the course of the next two months, we became nearly speechless with gratitude over the kindness and generosity of our community. Kind words and actions from those we knew and from those we didn’t.
There were thoughtful donations from Edible Life; meals left at our door; beautiful soap gifts from friends at Rocky Mountain Soap Co.; gifts of music played at Old School Bus Ice Cream by Mike Petroff and friends, and the Raven and the Fox and friends; burgers flipped by Canmore and Exshaw Fire; lunches made for our children by the loving staff at their school, OLS; our faithful church family, Mountain Baptist, prayed unceasingly over us; our favourite coffee shop, Rave, generously offered to make coffee at Blue’s celebration; the many, many volunteers and contractors who helped finish our new home in Dead Man’s Flats and Exshaw Fire, who helped move us in.
I could go on, because since Blue’s passing on July 27 and his celebration of life on Aug. 3, the gifts continue to pour over us like waves.
God is the giver of so many perfect gifts. I know many of you doubt Him, it’s OK, He loves us exactly where we are.
Before Blue passed, he placed his hand on mine and said, “This is your home, babe.”
And he is right, this is our home. We may be quiet for awhile, but we will be here, and we are so grateful that you all are here with us.
Deb Falconer,
Canmore
