Just popping in here in between funeral arrangements and family gatherings. "Sad and devastated", bereft, a huge, raw, aching hole to deal with...but also peace and serenity in there too, because I seem to be hearing him tell me so often over the past few days "but I really LIKE it where I am now!"

I'm sharing a couple of links here with you, where people have been leaving tributes and messages which are very heartwarming and consoling to the family. It's things like this, you women on this site - and that wonderful unexpected heart-lifting phone call from Dotsie and Georgia that sent my heart cartwheeling across my sadness - that make this bearable. I so look forward to coming back here "to stay" next week.

One person who's been fluttering through my mind throughout the past few days is Lionspaw (and Robert) - I think she'll understand the connection...

The links: Gary's obituary (and online guestbook) http://www.legacy.com/can-ottawa/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=87000977

The Caringbridge Site that our friend, Louise (who I've not yet met but who has been an amazing source of inspiration and strength for me over the past few difficult weeks) set up for Gary: http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/viewGuestbook.do?method=executeInit

Eagle, did you write the obituary? I'm thinking perhaps you did. It's beautiful.

I couldn't find the caringbridge page.

Sharon, I know this is a very sad time for you, but I could not help but smile when I read what you wrote about Gary saying "but I really LIKE where I am now!". I can just see you laughing through the tears, when "hearing" that...I know I would be.
(((HUGS)))

Exactly bluebird, my thoughts were the same. Eagle, I couldn't get the caringbridge link to work either.

I tried the caring bridge link and was told that my browser didn't allow cookies (which I thought it did) so you may want to check your cookie situation (not Oreo).

I'll be holding your hand in spirit tomorrow Sharon.

Caringbridge is a tricky site to get into. Try this: http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/visitAPage.do and write garymatthies into the box provided. That should work.

Yes, Dotsie, I wrote the obituary...Gary had a delightful sense of humour and it seemed only fitting to inject a gentle reflection of that into his obit. Tomorrow should be an interesting mixture of tears and laughter, tears for missing him, but lots of laughter because some of the Gary-stories that we're going to hear are just downright hilarious.

Thank you for your continuing thoughts. I'm looking forward to Wednesday. I hope to be able to come and just be here (not in this thread, though) with my sisters and veg out for awhile.

To share with you, Eagle. For Gary and our Gabriel.


The Broken Chain

We little knew that morning that
God was going to call your name
In life we loved you dearly.
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
you did not go alone;
for part of us went with you
the day God called you home.
You left us peaceful memories,
your love is still our guide,
and though we cannot see you,
you are always by our side.
Our family chain is broken,
and nothing seems the same,
but as God calls us one by one,
the chain will link again.

Eagle, I would like to express my most sincere sympathies.
God bless you.
Hannelore