Thursday, June 27, 2013

Grandpa's Memorial

My great-great Grandfather was born in Manitoba.  His father immigrated from Russia.  The Friesens have been in Canada a long time!
John C & Catherine Friesen (he lived until he was 98 or 99!).
My Grandpa was the 5th of 8 children.  He was born July 5, 1922.
A handsome young man who grew up in an affluent family (business people, not farmers) in Saskatchewan.
His brothers....four are still alive and healthy.
My father also went to Rosthern Junior College (private boarding school).
Grandpa was drafted but was a conscientious objector, therefore had to plant trees on Vancouver Island.
He was a grand singer!
A 'town boy'!
My dad sure looks like his dad!
And, I sure look like my Grandma here .
 

1945 My Grandpa married Hilda Boldt
They quickly had a large family!
My Grandpa built this house.  My Grandpa sold his grocery store moved from Lanigan to Abbotsford in 1964.
This is house of all my wonderful childhood memories on Centennial Street in Abbotsford
Not Grizzly Adams but close!
The kids are growing up!
A special day....50 years married!
My grandparents with baby Nathan.
Enjoying time with his great-grands.
I remember this day so clearly.  A Friesen family get together was always oodles of fun with many laughs.
My grandparents shortly before my Grandma got really ill.
Grandpa had a insatiable sweet tooth...lots chocolate DAILY!
 
My aunts, dad and brother got to sit with Grandpa as he passed into Heaven.  It was very peaceful.
 
 Beautiful flowers from Keri and Kori.  Thank you!
 The pallbearers bringing the casket to the hearse.
Waiting for the service to begin.
 


 
 Bringing Grandpa to his final resting place.
 Pastor Vic Shellenberg from Northview did the brief service.
 And then his body was committed to the earth.
 Back to the funeral home for the memorial service.
 Waiting to start the service in the family room.
 Being with my cousins makes me very happy.  I love them!
 My dad read an excellent tribute and I enjoyed hearing all the stories about Grandpa!
 At the reception there were bowls of Allsorts which my Grandpa loved.  I always think of him when I eat these!
 
And no gathering of Friesens would be without silliness.   We can be a goofy bunch.
 
When an elderly person who has had a full life passes away and who has Jesus as their Saviour it's not a very sorrowful memorial.  We can be assured of meeting them again and we can rejoice they are in a better place...a place we can barely fathom!  We will miss Grandpa but hold onto the promise of seeing him again in eternity!

Friday, June 21, 2013

Labour

My mom has a very large garden plot out in the surrounding farmland to our city.  My uncle owns a hobby farm and gives her and my Oma space to grow their beloved veggies.  Liam, Nate and Chad are all a part of keeping the weeds at bay.  And yes...they do enjoy it very much!  Nana has lovely incentives for them such as cash and food.  I look forward to being rewarded with fresh produce for lending out my hard-working boys!



Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Until We Meet Again..

Grandpa's 88th Birthday -July 2010
 
My Grandpa, Abram Omar Friesen passed away yesterday.  It wasn't surprise but it's still unsettling news.  He is my second grandparent to die and it feels a bit surreal.
I didn't have a close relationship with my grandpa but respected him all the same.
My Grandpa started going downhill slowly over 10+ years beginning with my Grandma's admittance to the nursing home with Alzheimer's.  He became a bachelor without anyone to take care of him in the way he was accustomed.  He lived on 'Filet 'O Fish', tin roof sundae ice cream and chocolate.  Lots of chocolate.  He had excellent genes and was healthy in every other respect.  Even with his poor diet and lack of exercise he managed to live to 90 years old!
Some of my favorite memories of Grandpa are:
 
-having him take out his false teeth and giving us a laugh.  This was a rare treat!
-the smell of his shed....lawnmowers and gasoline
-riding around in the back of  his huge burgundy station wagon
-telling jokes, puns and riddles...ALL THE TIME!
-being an absolute pool shark
-being musically talented
-always have treats and candies at his house on Centennial Street
-calling my dad his favorite son (my dad is his ONLY son!)
-him telling me regularly what 'nice boys' I have
 
 
The memories make me smile and I can be glad that he is healthy and whole again in heaven.  We'll see him again one day and this assurance gives great peace!
I wish I had some pictures of when he was younger and more spry but I think those are all on slides.
Here are some classics!







Sunday, June 16, 2013