Blog Guelph: Winter at the Arboretum

Over the bridge, a photo by @klawrenc on Flickr.

Boxing Day brought us a beautiful snow day. Inspired by the view from my window I headed to the Arboretum for a morning photo walk. While I was there my mom called, and I asked if she'd like to walk with me. "I'd love to", she said. So we "walked" - me on my phone describing the beauty of my surroundings - she in her bed at St Joseph's Health Centre.

My mom was disabled, you see - bedridden, for many years, with Multiple Sclerosis - and we often "walked" this way. I showed her the photos I'd taken at the Arboretum later that day. "We walked here", I'd say, "and here..." and she was so happy to see what we'd "seen".

Little did I know that would be our last walk. The next morning I received a call advising that my mom had passed away. She didn't feel quite right on Christmas Day but seemed better when I saw her on Boxing Day. Her death came as a surprise.

The photos I've shared here today are a few I took that day. 

My mom was an inspiration and a wonderful companion to all who had the pleasure of knowing her. She loved her family and friends dearly. In spite of the discomfort inherent with being bedridden she maintained a positive attitude, had a real thirst for learning and was a challenging scrabble opponent. She ate healthy food - rarely any "junk", drank 8 glasses of water a day, refrained from taking medications (and flu shots), and strongly believed in the importance of exercise having exercised regularly herself as long as she was able to. Sadly, at St Joseph's she only received 15 minutes of physiotherapy a week.

Considering my mom's circumstances, it's amazing that she lived as long as she did... a true testimonial to the power of love, friendship, healthy habits, continuous learning and a strong will. 

And while I never understood how anyone could say someone was in a better place after they died, I do now. My mom faced many challenges - on a daily basis - that hopefully none of us will ever have to face.

Rest in peace, my dear, sweet mom... I'll always love you.

- Kim

Other photos included with this post are: Snowy shed, On the boardwalk, Winter at the Arboretum and Winter textures