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Thursday, O ctober 8, 2015 - The IFP - H alton H ills - w w w .theifp.ca Page 25 905-872-2077 www.dynamiccontracting.org CONTACT US FOR A FREE CONSULTATION "For All Your Renovation Needs" bASEmENTS bAThROOmS kITChENS 280 Guelph St. Georgetown • 905-877-7719 CAFE • BAKERY • CATERING • PREPARED MEALS DINE IN • DELI MEATS & CHEESES • TAKE OUT LICENCED PATIO by the AGCO Domestic Beer $3.99 Import Beer $4.99 GREAT PRICE! Favourite Caterer October 17th, 2015 @ 3pm Tickets $40 Each at Winemakers, 283 Broadway, or ScotiaBank, 250 Centennial at Riddell Sponsored by Winemakers & Vineco Passport Series Join us to learn the art of pairing wines with food. Proceeds go to OAG artist scholarships For more information on these events visit us at www.orangevilleartgroup.com 46th AnnualOrangeville Art Group October 16, 17, 18, 2015 Best Western Plus Inn and Suites Orangeville Friday Oct. 16th, 6 pm - 9 pm Gala Opening, Cash Bar Saturday Oct. 17th, 10 am - 9 pm Sunday Oct. 18th, 10 am - 6 pm Artist Awards, 2 pm-5 pm Open to the Public/Free Admission Sculpture, drawings, paintings, fabric art, ceramics, and jewelry. COMMENT As we make our way through life, we find our- selves remembering, observing, and reminisc- ing about various things. It could be good times, happy times, even sad times. And I often find those 'milestones' that pop up in our minds can always elicit some sort of emotion. The Sidekick had one of those days last week. It was the first anniversary of the loss of her mom, Betty, who died Sept. 29 last year. Betty and her husband Al lived in Qualicum Beach, on Vancouver Island. They lived in their nice lit- tle bungalow, and Betty had lots of social groups in the town, while Al had his garden. Together, they enjoyed life to the fullest. But early in 2014, Betty announced to her six kids-- The Sidekick being the youngest-- that she had cancer, and was terminal. It was a tough year for those six siblings. Only one lived locally, in Nanaimo, B.C., while the others were scattered across Canada, from Montreal, Ottawa, Sunderland, Limehouse, and Brandon, Man. And since Betty was not likely to see Christ- mas, they all took turns traveling to Qualicum Beach, to spend a week with their mom. The Sidekick had the last week, and returned in late August-- a tough trip to make, knowing she had to say a final good-bye to her mom. The morning of Sept. 29, The Sidekick re- ceived word that Betty had passed away, so she boarded a flight to Vancouver within two hours. She stayed with her sister-in-law, as her brother was at sea at the time-- he had to make the 36- hour sea voyage back to Nanaimo. Sadly, Al died a week later. The Sidekick and her siblings certainly had a lot on their plate. This past year, The Sidekick has experienced numerous 'Mom' moments, when she's driving home, and thinks to herself, "Oh, I must remem- ber to tell Mom about…" then realizes Mom isn't there to tell anymore. Although geographically they had miles between them, mother and daughter were im- mensely close. Through Facebook and the tele- phone, they shared jokes, family stories, and sometimes just propped each other up, like mom and daughter often do. Losing her mom created a pretty big void for The Sidekick. This spring, for Mother's Day, my four daughters gave The Sidekick a rose bush, to plant in memory of Betty. She was overjoyed-- she cried. I planted it in the front yard, and watered it diligently. We waited for the first rose to appear. Instead, little bugs infested it, and at one point, I was afraid it was going to shrivel up and die. I trimmed off the bad stems, and kept an eye on it, and by fall, it had come around. It had developed deep dark green leaves, and I noticed a bud on one stem. I was excited-- I wondered if it would make it. The Sidekick happened to notice it too. Most days we'd check out that bush as we walked past it. The morning of Sept. 28, the bud broke open-- just a bit. It was enough to see that the rose was going to be yellow. The next morning, as The Sidekick backed out of the garage, the rose was in full bloom. It was perfect-- round, even, a beautiful shade of yellow. And it was growing in full view of the front driveway, where The Sidekick could see it as she left for work every day. Today, there are two full blooms and another bud on the way-- it just keeps getting better. I know The Sidekick looks at the rose, and is reminded of her best friend, and mother. It's one of those warm fuzzy feelings that overcomes us as we remember those who are no longer with us. Nothing can bring them back, but having that yellow rose in full view, reminds all of us that Betty's spirit is still with us today, and every year, as that rose bush grows, she will remain in our thoughts. A Ted Bit A rose is a rose, is a rose ... By Ted Brown tedbit@hotmail.com