The Gift That Just Keeps on Giving

Last year, in the first week of December, Kaelen and I were at a local drug store picking up medicine and your basic household toiletries. As we were waiting for our prescription medicine, Kaelen began playing with some of the Christmas toys that were on sale. You know, those toys that you press a button and it sings a little Christmas song while dancing. So, there Kaelen is dancing away with the toy of his choice, as Paul has fondly named: Doug the Penguin.

Doug the Penguin

Doug the Penguin provided Kaelen at least 10 minutes worth of entertainment while we waited, but Kaelen also provided other customers who were waiting immense entertainment as well. I mean, who could not chuckle when seeing a 15 month old toddler laughing and dancing away to a singing penguin?

Our prescription was done and it was time to go. Kaelen of course was a little sad that Doug couldn't come with us, but Mommy promised that we could come back and visit him again. You see, Mommy wasn't into the Christmas spirit quite yet. Kaelen was recovering from serious trauma to his mouth where he knocked out his four front teeth and I was dealing with a pregnancy that wasn't looking hopeful. I wasn't ready to be happy and celebrate all that I am blessed and thankful for.

As we got our coats, hats and gloves on we headed outside to our car. Just when we were about to open the car door, this friendly elderly man approached us and the conversation went a little like this:

Elderly Man: "Excuse me Mam"
I look around only to realize he is speaking to me. "Yes?"
Elderly Man: "I couldn't help but notice your son inside at the prescription area and how much fun he was having dancing to all of those toys"
Me (now smiling): "Yes. Kaelen loves to dance. He was certainly having fun wasn't he"
Elderly Man: "Yes he was. Your son was just the medicine that this old man needed today. Of late I haven't had much to smile about and just watching your son today filled me with so much joy. I hope that you don't mind, but I would like to give your son this gift to enjoy. If he could bring such joy into my life, then I would hope that this gift will continue to bring smiles and laughter to others as well."
Me (standing there stunned): "Why thank you. I don't know what to say. Thank you so very much. Would you like to meet Kaelen?"
Elderly Man (with such a fond smile on his face): "Oh I have. Your little boy's pure joy will ensure that I wear this smile on my face throughout the holiday season. He is a beautiful little boy"
Me (now with tears in my eyes): "Thank you so very much. Your thoughtfulness is very touching. Merry Christmas"
Now holding Kaelen in my arms, we say thank you again and wave good bye to this generous and thoughtful elderly man.

That Christmas, Kaelen played with Doug the Penguin non stop. And every time the penguin danced and sang I thought of this elderly man and wished that I knew more about him.

As we pulled out our Christmas decorations on Saturday afternoon, Doug the Penguin was at the top of the pile and Kaelen of course squealed in delight at seeing his dancing partner. Doug has been played over and over and over. So much so over the past two days that one would tend to get completely annoyed with the repetition of the song. I can't however seem to find myself getting annoyed though. Every time I see Kaelen dancing with this penguin, I think of this elderly man and wonder about him. We regularly go to this drug store and I have not seen him once since that day a year ago.

Perhaps he was an angel who came to brighten my day and remind me of all the good that I have in my life, or perhaps he was just an amazing man who I will have missed an opportunity to get to know.

This gentle elderly man's thoughtfulness is still bringing a smile to our faces over a year later.

'Tis the Start of the Season

With the cold weather and snow that we are experiencing here in Calgary, it is kind of hard not to get into the festive holiday season. Especially when one is looking for something to do inside of the house as it is -25 C outside. So, what better opportunity is there than to put up Christmas decorations!

Here is the finished result of our Christmas tree. Kaelen was a perfect little helper! And wait .... are those presents under the tree already? Wow! The Whittingham household must have been VERY good so far this year!!

Fate

Some people believe in fate; some don't. Some people believe in love at first sight; others don't. How many people can claim that they met their husband in a bar? Okay, lets qualify that a little better: How many people can claim that they met their husband drunk as a skunk in a bar? Both of us had had our fair share of drinks that night and despite living in a small little town, our paths had never crossed. Paul had only been living in Nelson for 3 weeks before he sealed his fate: me. I often tell him that it is his fault that he met me because he was the one that swore to all of his buddies back in Quesnel that girls were off limits and that he was just going to concentrate on school, get it done and then out again. Little did Paul know that his life would forever be changed on Friday, November 24, 1993 .......

Yes. I am one of those corny women that have this amazing ability to remember dates without really needing to. It is not like I write them down, but they stick in my mind. It is not like Paul and I met in this incredibly romantic setting either. We were in a nightclub, he asked me to dance and continued to dance for the remaining 3 songs of the night. That is it. But what struck me that night, which is still so clear in my mind, is how polite and respectful he was. We laughed and had fun for three songs. That's it. We barely got to exchange names in a greeting before the bar was closed and it was time to go home. I managed to pass on enough information that Paul would know where to find me the next night. I wanted to meet this boy again. He was the first boy in many years that I instantly felt comfortable around. Comfortable in the sense that I would not have to hold my constant guard up against him nor be on the look out for sleezy sex attempting moves or even physical harm. I instantaneously felt secure around Paul which was something so out of the ordinary for me.

The next night, I was working a part time job in a busy bar and Paul showed up. I didn't have much of a chance to talk with him as the bar was packed, the patrons demanding and Doug and the Slugs were rocking it out hard in the corner. But just seeing Paul with his smiling eyes and telling me to smile was enough to ensure that I was sailing on cloud nine for the remainder of my shift. Once my shift was done, I quickly hurried back to the nightclub from the night before just to get a dance or two in with Paul. I was intrigued. I wanted to know more about this boy.

Again, after two dances, the night was done and this polite boy asked me if I would be interested in going to a movie with him the next night. Without hesitation I said yes and gave him my phone number to call me. That was it. He went his way and I went mine. Again, I was shocked. I was jaded. Like seriously jaded against men; all of the men in my life up until 21 years of age I had felt let me down. But, there was something about Paul that completely intrigued me.

So we went on our movie date on that Sunday, November 26th: our first official date or should I say chance for conversation. You know it must be true love when your date takes to to the blockbuster hit: The Beverly Hillbillies. Paul even fell asleep at one point during the movie, which he still denies it to this day. After the movie, we started to talk. We had so much in common: our love of sports such as playing volleyball, we were both hockey and football fanattics and even loving the same teams (Vancouver Canucks and Miami Dolphins). I remember thinking to myself: Is this love at first sight? Like how can this get any better?

After two years of dating casually, we decided to take it to the next level: living in sin. It was one of those things that we never really discussed; we just did. I don't think his parents were overly impressed at the time or for even a couple years later, but we did it anyways. We lived in sin for almost 10 years, focusing on paying off our student loans and getting our careers established. We were committed and knew that we would be spending the rest of our lives together despite the everyday questioning from people about our committment. Why weren't we married and what was wrong with Paul? On April 3, 2003, we boarded a plane with 24 of our friends and family to the Dominican Republic and on April 8, 2003 we officially tied the knot; legally becoming husband and wife. It was our grand plan in life. We were getting to the age where we wanted to start having children, but it was very important to us that we were married before doing so.

Life for the two of us keeps getting better and better. We have so much fun together, despite being borderline polar opposites. Paul likes to be social, have social drinks and be the life of a party; I would much prefer intimate settings and deep talks. He likes to watch TV; I am an avid reader. I am a communicator; he is SO not. I am all about making sure that everyone around me knows that I love them in case something happens; Paul thinks that it is morbid and naively takes it for granted that everyone will be there tomorrow. But despite these differences, we make it work. We love participating in activities together like golfing, curling, volleyball, badminton or running. And now, I think the most important activity is parenting together. We love it and love planning our family outings. I fall in love with Paul more and more each day when I see him with our son. He is a fantastic dad and it is going to be so much fun watching him parent our children as they grow. He will be the fun Daddy. The Daddy that gets involved with everything and isn't scared to look stupid doing so in the process.

I firmly believe that Paul was meant to come into my life. He is my soul mate. And yes, I do believe firmly in fate .... now. After all of these years, we are still going strong and will remain so.

Thank heavens for Friday, November 24, 1993 .... it will be a day that forever changed my life for the better.

To My American Friends

Happy Thanksgiving! May your day be filled with joy, laughter, love and reflection.

Wordless Wednesday

Afternoon Cat Nap