Gido, your wish has come true....

you are with Baba again......all you've really wanted since March 15th 2010.
 

random thoughts of the man I called Gido(my Father-in-law)

• I have many memories that span over many years........for the past several years the first thought that comes to mind is his undying love for his wife of 69 years........he never left her side......even when they were separated he did whatever it took to be with her.   Walked through snow and sleet(falling on it, getting stitches)at the age of 92.  Gido had to walk from his residence, to the hospital......so he could sit at her bedside, be with her, often in silence....the touch of their hands was all they needed.   This went on for several years with Baba's many many visits to the hospital.  Kind of reminds me of how their courtship started....Gido walking Baba home after church....many miles(I believe 18 miles round trip).  And in the end, no kiss.....I loved hearing him tell this story.  
• white mints
• games of crib
• going to bed early....even with a house full of company and enough noise to raise the roof.  Once in awhile we were given a boisterous BE QUIET(after you were woken by our racket).  
• your garden.....I can't say enough about this, I am thankful I have many great photos of you in your garden, the place you loved so much.  I remember the first year you were not able to have a PERFECT GARDEN(up keep and weeding got to be a bit much).......this was something that really bothered you, you were not impressed that you could not keep it weedless.  
• your story of the flying light(possibly a ghost)
• your love of picking berries
• same as above.....mushrooms
• penny pincher
• you always wanted to be strong.....do things for yourself!  Feed yourself, walk alone(without assistance), dress yourself.....
• your phone directory.....written on cardboard(the inside of a cereal box, I believe)
• 31
• your Cornflakes breakfast
• no ice in your stiff drinks
• suspenders  
• how sentimental you become in your later years
• you were the bell ringer at the Church
• called bingo
• your worry(both you and Baba)......is everyone okay?  As soon as your hello/hi was delivered...we could count on you asking how the kids were......ALWAYS! 
• your Bible.....well read, tattered pages 
• I can hear you stirring the cream and sugar into your coffee........long after the sugar was dissolved and the cream was mixed, the sound of clinking....spoon to cup
• wanting to head home after a visit.......you would go to warm up the vehicle(even during the summer months)
• go to great lengths to fix something before you consider buying new
• getting up at the crack of dawn and turning the radio on(what seemed to be full blast when one was trying to sleep)
• Blue Jays
• your love of fishing
• National Geographic magazines
• envelopes for scratch pads
• the efforts you made to do things, when staying at home would be so much easier(attending Daylan's graduation at the age of 91).....I will never forget this.  Attending your sisters funeral in Edmonton only a few months ago.  Now at 94.....very aware of your Granddaughter Amanda's upcoming wedding....hoping you could make it to the wedding in Saskatchewan.
• how you fought to NOT give up your drivers license......did not pass four times in Bonnyville so you headed to Vilna(or maybe Spedden)....and passed!
• you loved the color purple
• don't use so much water....you'll drain the well
• your last REAL supper was at the farm on Good Friday.....so glad I was there! 
• for many years you thought each Christmas was his last
• your deep unspoken love for your family....the words I love you were not often heard, but there was no doubt the love was deep, and always there!  Saying I love you 10 times a day doesn't mean there is more love than those that don't say the words..........as the old saying goes, "the proof is in the pudding"! 
• back in the early days(when we were first married)I remember the EARLY Sunday morning phone calls.  There were no phone plans like now, it was expense to call, and calling on Sunday was cheaper.  Without fail at 7ish the phone would ring.  It was usually Baba on the other end of the phone, but it seemed it was Gido that was behind the call, he would tell her....call the kids!  Calls were short and sweet, especially if there was nothing new......how's the weather was often the main part of the conversation.  If there was ever a call mid week it usually meant something was wrong. 
• Speaking of phone calls......in later years Gido wouldn't be on the phone but you could often hear him in the back ground telling Baba what to ask, and asking her what was said......funny!  
• cottage cheese perogies
• Gido often said, when it's your time....it's your time!
• How he wanted to live longer than his fathers age of 89
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