Alan and I had looked forward to spending a weekend in Calgary with his family. Last weekend worked out well to visit with both Nancy and Derek. We left home on Thursday after time at the library with the preschool group. Gull Lake was our destination that day for a visit with Alan's sister, Donna and Cam Lock. It was a great bed and breakfast stopover. I hadn't seen Donna since school days and had never met Cam so it was good to get to know my new sister-in-law and her husband.
We left there shortly after breakfast and got to Nancy's in the afternoon. We were visiting after a tasty supper when my cell phone rang, bringing such heartbreaking news from Frontier. My sister Sandra's six year old grandson, Blaine Sanford, had died in an ATV accident on Jason and Marion's farm. His three year old brother, Rhett, was injured and flown to Saskatoon by STARS air ambulance. It is hard to comprehend such tragic news, especially when it involves your nephew and his wife, such devoted parents of three young children.
I said that I would let my kids know about it so then I had the tough job of making three phone calls. Norway is eight hours ahead so I sent a text to Todd later in the night as I didn't want to call him in the middle of the night with such news and I didn't want him to find out through comments on Facebook, which does happen at times. Sandra and Merle's neighbour was the one I heard the news from as Sandra and her daughter, Mareena, were too heartbroken to bear such news. I did talk to them through the tears and still couldn't believe such a tragedy had happened.
I didn't sleep much that night and could only imagine what Blaine's immediate family was going through. Blaine had always seemed older than his age. He loved to be with adults, especially his Grandpa Merle. They lived on adjoining farms and Blaine went with Grandpa Merle every chance he got. He was eager to learn and knew all about farming, machinery and cattle. He had driven the quad for at least two years and could handle it well, even backing into the shop if need be.
We went over to Derek and Jackie's on Saturday morning. I was met with hugs from Ben and JJ but didn't say anything about Blaine's accident when the 9 and 10 year old boys were around. We had our lunch on American Beauty china plates. When I remarked about them, Jackie said they were from her grandmother and that she used them everyday, not just for company as I had thought. I was impressed! I have a tea set in that pattern and rarely use the set. I must make a point of getting them out more often.
Saturday evening was exciting as it was game six of the NHL playoff series between Calgary and Vancouver. Calgary Flames were ahead in the standings with three wins to two for Vancouver Canucks. To add to the drama, Ben is a Vancouver fan and JJ a Flames fan! The Canucks got an early start with a score of 3-0 but soon the tide turned. The Flames ended up with a win, moving on to play Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the next round.
We spent some time at Nancy's office the next day and she did Alan's income tax for him. Then we enjoyed the rest of the day with Nancy, son Bram, daughter Holly and her friend, Maggie. We also went for a walk in that area of north Calgary.
On Monday morning we headed for Frontier. That trip was not in our plans for that weekend, but we needed to be with the Sanford family in their grief. Neighbours, friends and family have been so supportive, helping with chores, bringing food along with their love and prayers. One feels so helpless at a time like this but even Jesus wept at the death of his good friend Lazarus. Sometimes the best we can do is weep with them even as we rejoice with them on happy occasions. We don't even need words as our hugs and tears say it all.
We had supper there and were able to see Jason, Marion and Katie as they came home overnight from Saskatoon to gather up clothes and make plans to celebrate their precious Blaine's life. Sandra's daughter, Mandy, stayed in Saskatoon with Rhett while Rick drove Jason, Marion and 5 year old Katie home, along with Drew and Ty.
Comfort comes in timely ways. Mareena, Gavin, Megan, Rylan and Nola were already in Shaunavon from their home in Lacombe, Alberta. They had come earlier in the week as Gavin's grandpa had passed away just over a month after the grandma's death. The funeral was to be on Monday. When the Sanford's came to Shaunavon after the accident, Gavin and Mareena were right there when needed. Gavin drove Jason, Marion and Katie to Saskatoon to be with Rhett.
Rhett will be in hospital for several weeks. He has a broken jaw, as well as neck and other injuries. He now wears a halo and was sedated for a few days to keep him still and enhance the healing process. His injuries are not life threatening but he will need time to recover. It is just over a year since he spent time in the same Saskatoon hospital after being bitten in the face by a neighbour's dog. We are so thankful that his life was spared once again.
We were able to visit with Jason and Marion and I marvelled at how she was able to talk about Blaine and make plans for a celebration of his all too short life. A private family service will be held on Sunday evening in Climax, followed by a celebration of his life at 11:00 on Monday morning at the Rec Centre in Frontier. Friends have set up fundraisers to help with expenses encountered by Jason and Marion. One has reached $18,000 in just two days.
Alan and I had a good sleep on Monday night at the home of his cousin, Edna and Clifford Thoring, in Frontier. We were back to the Sanfords on Tuesday morning and made our way home that afternoon. When we got home that evening, I learned that Abbey's dance recital had been changed from Monday to Tuesday and we could have been back in time if we had known. Somehow I missed the text regarding the change so feel badly about that. We look forward to her confirmation service on Sunday at Zion Lutheran Church in Weyburn. Then they will head to Frontier as will Kirk, Shauna and family. Alan and I will go out later for the 17th of May Norsk celebration as we had planned. The Sanfords will need company then too. Our thoughts and prayers are with them so much of the time.
Today we were busy emptying out the living-room as a new carpet will be laid tomorrow. The old rug has been there since the house was built in 1979 so it was time for a change. I'll show pictures next week after the office gets new flooring too.
Now, back to the title of my blog post today. Rylan had played the song on the piano for his great grandpa's funeral service and it was such an appropriate song for Blaine too. "Stay with me" expresses our heart's desire for Blaine but it was not to be and his life on earth ended before his 7th birthday on June 15th. We know that his life didn't end but that he moved to his heavenly home a lot sooner than any of us wanted. But we aren't in control, God is and His ways are not our ways. We can't understand and struggle with the "Why?" but must be content instead with "How?" is this loving family going to get through this heartbreaking loss. Only with God's help through His word and through caring family and friends will they be able to go on without this precious little boy who enriched the lives of so many in less than seven years. It's as if he knew that he didn't have much time with us and lived his short life to the fullest. We have a lesson to learn from Blaine. Thank you Marion and Jason, for sharing this special boy with us, truly a gift from God, as is each one of us. May His love flow through each of us as it did through Blaine. Blessed be his memory.
 |
| Blaine Martin Sanford June 15, 2008 - April 24, 2015 |
No comments:
Post a Comment
I appreciate your comments and encourage you to leave one for me. Feedback is welcome and helpful.