FIRST COMMUNION

This morning had us celebrate Kieran's First Communion at Our Lady of Sorrows Church on Bloor St. West.  Kieran specifically asked us to not make a big deal of it, so we kept it very low key and focused on what it was, a celebration within the church for him.  As we walked back to our seats after receiving Holy Communion for the first time, Quinn asked K, "what does it taste like?"  Kieran very quickly responded with, "it tastes like nothing and a plain ice cream cone all at the same time!"  Quite an accurate statement.  Thanks to Poppy and Nana for joining us.

*  You were not allowed to take photos at the service, and quite frankly the number of people there trying to get shots after on the alter and out front was totally overwhelming so we did not bother! These ones will have to suffice.  

A dad and his boy.  Two of my favourite guys in this whole wide world!

Kieran took this photo of Dave, Quinn and me.  Thanks K for ensuring I got in a shot!  :)

KINDNESS

Ms. Belvedere (Quinn's SK teacher) has been an amazing addition to Quinn's life.  She is gentle and kind, intelligent and creative and shares her passion for the world around her with her students beautifully.  Ms. Belvedere is first and foremost a teacher, but also a writer and artist.  She has spent countless hours drawing with Quinn sharing their passion for art together.  One day last week we arrived to pick Quinn up at daycare end of day and he was elated to show us his new "portfolio case"  he explained that Ms. Belvedere had brought it in and given it to him to carry his art back and forth each day.  It was such an incredibly thoughtful thing for her to do both Dave and I were taken a back.  When I thanked her the following morning she said it was no big deal, it was an old one of hers that she had in her basement.  Bottom line, it was a big deal to a little 5 year old boy who loves art and his teacher.  Thank you Ms. Belvedere, we are very grateful.

His thank you card to Ms. Belvedere

My favourite part is the picture of them standing next to one another.

The portfolio case.  It's almost as big as him!  Adorable!

THOUGHTFUL QUINN

Poor Quinn has been taken down hard this week with a crazy high fever, ranging from 102.7 to 103.9 degrees.  He is lethargic and clingy and I have been quite concerned about him.  After many hours at the dr. we learned that his oxygen intake is quite low (for an otherwise healthy 5 year old boy) and that his chest is congested.  Quinn has already had 3 pneumonias in his short life, two single lung and one double lung pneumonia.  Clearly lung issues are his weakness!  Here is a sweet card he made for me as I arrived home from picking up goodies for my sick boy.  I suspect his ever loving and thoughtful dad had a hand in this...  Thank you to my wonderful boys.  I love you dearly.  xxoo

Front of card

Inside Top section - Notice all of the smiley faces on each letter.

Inside bottom.  It's a picture of me and Quinn snuggling/sleeping in his bed.

MAD MEN

With the recent passing of my Grandfather comes the emotional task of clearing and cleaning out his space in the retirement residence he called home.  My dad and Jane have done a huge job of it, while Jal and I have popped in here and there to be helpful in whatever way we can be.  Saturday afternoon had us go and spend a few hours going through things.  The boys came with us and were told they could pick out something to remember their great grandfather by.  The boys were elated to have the opportunity to have some special treasures from great grampa.  Their dressers look like mini museums with groovy little trinkets currently on display - but that's a whole other post.  One of the things I stumbled upon and fell in love with is an old photograph of my grandfather.  It must have been taken for business purposes back in the day that he owned and operated Bosley Real Estate.  Unfortunately there is no year on it anywhere, but I would imagine it was shot in the 1960's.  It is true Mad Men styles in action, right down to the cigarette he is holding.  A dapper man in deed - totally awesome keepsake.

RAYMOND SEDGEMORE LOCK BOSLEY

A well loved Great Grampa took off on new adventures on Thursday April 4th, shortly before 10pm.  I was with him as he drew and released his final breath.  As he departed he let out a huge sigh and I take comfort in believing that he has officially found Happiness.  How lucky we are to have loved someone so much that saying goodbye could be so hard.

This afternoon we will bury him with my grandmother in St. John's York Mills Anglican Churchyard.

GONE FROM MY SIGHT
By: Henry Van Dyke

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side,
spreads his white sails to the moving breeze and starts
for the blue ocean. He is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch him until, at length, he hangs like a speck
of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then, someone at my side says, "There, he is gone"

Gone where?

Gone from my sight. That is all. He is just as large in mast,
hull and spar as he was when he left my side.
And, he is just as able to bear his load of living freight to his destined port.

His diminished size is in me -- not in him.
And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, he is gone,"
there are other eyes watching him coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout, "Here he comes!"

And that is dying...

Great Grampa teaching the boys how to play the piano

Summer time snuggles

90th Birthday Party for him and he brings the treats!

Q Ball slept through the entire party :(

Christmas 2012

Christmas morning 2011

Obituary in the Globe and Mail - April 9th, 2013

RAYMOND S. L. BOSLEY  (August 22, 1921 – April 4, 2013)

On April 4, 2013 Ray quietly passed away at the Oakville Trafalgar Hospital following a robust and active life.  He was predeceased by his adored wife Dorothy (Claire) nee Dickinson in 2010.  Proud and loving Father of Michael (Jane), Thomas (Ann), and William (Shelton).  Cherished Gramp to Jalynn Bosley, Kelley Fitzpatrick (David), Christan Bosley (Michael), Alexander (Zan) Bosley and Andrew Clark (Nadia).  Much loved Great-Gramp to Kieran and Quinn Fitzpatrick and Sean and Jack Clark.

Ray is survived by his devoted brother, Murray Bosley, and loving nieces and nephews.

A handsome man, Ray’s dapper style defied his 91 years!  Whether playing the piano, enjoying a martini, or taking yet another road trip, Ray was a loyal companion and friend.  He recently moved back to Churchill Place, Oakville and was a valued “ROMEO” (Retired Old Men Eating Out).  Ray will be much missed by his Oakville community and dear friends.

Naval Officer (WWII); Past President of W.H. Bosley & Co., Ltd., a Toronto real estate firm established by his later Father; Past President of the Toronto Real Estate Board; a Rotarian since 1953 and Past President of The Rotary Club of Toronto; Past President - Canadian Red Cross, Toronto Central Branch; Lifetime member of Rosedale Golf Club.

Ray will be remembered in our own endearing ways and will live on in our hearts and minds.  Ray will rest eternally beside his beloved wife, Claire, in the St. John’s Anglican Church churchyard, Toronto.