One two three FAMILY

Late morning yesterday I stood with my family on the sidelines of the Bombers' practice field. We were there as invited guests. I was told that the team would be making a special presentation to my aunt in honour of my uncle.

My uncle did a lot of work with the Bombers, helping to maintain the turf and get things fixed around the stadium. He got involved with the team after my aunt started volunteering with the game day crew. My other aunt, my dad's sister, also started off volunteering in the office for the team and now works there part-time.

While we waited for practice to wrap up we greeted Lorne, the team padre. When my uncle was in the hospital he was there too, every day until the end. I wasn't there on the night when my uncle suddenly went downhill, but my mom told me that night Lorne had gathered the family and led everyone in an uplifting prayer.

Lorne is a simple, humble and soft-spoken man with the height of a basketball player. He was asked to preside over the internment of the ashes and the memorial service. He had never done a funeral before and was used to addressing a group of athletes, but he did a wonderful job for us.

When the practice finished the defense team stayed on the field and we were invited to join them. Their coach, a gentle giant man with a thick southern accent, addressed the team and started to speak about the reason we were there. He got choked up and my aunts had to wrap their arms behind him to help him go on. After he spoke, my aunt came forward and told the team about her husband, the man who did everything he could to ensure their turf was a safe playing surface.

The team, including the head coach, presented my aunt with a package of gifts from the team. Then we were all invited to join the players in a huddle and raise a hand toward the football in the center.

"Not so high guys!" My eighty-six-year-old grandma hollered, arm stretched as far as she could go.

"One two three, FAMILY" we all cheered and then broke the huddle.

When Lorne addressed us at the services he said, "you guys are a great family and I feel like I'm part of it." Yesterday, before we went onto the field he said to us, "You guys are a part of this Bomber family." In a flash we lost a member of our family last week, but we grew in a lot of ways too.

Death is a humbling thing in that it's a reminder of immortality, but it also leaves me in awe at all the kindness and compassion people give to help others get through the sad times.


PS--today is my mom's birthday and I baked her a pretty cake. Happy birthday Mom!

Update July 10, 2010--Winnipeg Sun article mention of the tribute.