by Allison Smith –
This month we celebrate some of the Men to Watch in our community. I recently travelled to Calgary to celebrate one man in particular and the life he lived – a life filled with humour, caring, family and friends.
On March 17, shortly after the word Covid entered our daily vocabulary and the day it felt like things really “shut down,” my husband and stepdaughter flew to Alberta to be with my father-in-law, Ed Laurie. He was in the final stages of lung cancer; my stepdaughter was there to say her final goodbyes and James was there to spend time with his dad in his last days. My younger daughter and I were supposed to follow a short time later, but as the days passed and Covid affected everything, the idea of getting on a plane became unimaginable and with heavy hearts we cancelled our flight. Missing that final visit with him is one of my greatest regrets, but Ed spent much of his time in those last days on FaceTime with us, crafting heartfelt video messages and making sure we knew how much we were loved.
On April 3, 2020, a wonderful man we called Papa Ed took his last breaths. In his 62 years, this was a man who brought so much joy to those around him. He loved a good joke and to tease those closest to him. No matter what the topic of conversation, he had an opinion on it. “I guarantee it” was his catchphrase and beware to the person who tried to disagree! Ed would come to the Island for “a vacation” but spend his time here doing yardwork, building things, reorganizing my husband’s workshop … always asking what I needed done and quickly checking those things off our to do list.
In one of his last messages to me, Ed told me how glad he was that I am his son’s partner, and mother to his granddaughter. He told me that I shouldn’t ever change. He told me he loved us with all his heart and would miss us. In my last message to him I told him we’d never forget him and to come visit us, if he could.
So while we celebrate our men to watch, I’ll also be watching for a sign from one of my favourite men.
Photo by Janis Jean Photography.
Styled by Shai Thompson at House of Lily Koi, Sidney.
