The Journey

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  On the way.

So the day came that it was the two year anniversary of the death of our son Robin. August 21, 2017, during the Solar Eclipse, Robin left us, after living and battling brain cancer for 17 years. No parent expects to or should ever have to lose a child, but that, it turns out is part of life, part of the journey, and while we do not choose it, we pretty much have to walk it, one way or the other.

We chose to celebrate, is that the right word? Honour, remember, visit????? The two year anniversary of Robin’s Death, by hiking to the Summit of Mont Tremblant where his ashes lie. So up we trudged, hot sweaty, breathing hard and a little out of sorts. It was hard. Even Ruffus our ever-present rescue dog, seemed none too pleased about this latest trek, as he had a somewhat pleading look on his face, that seemed to say, “What now”? But up we went, after two hours we reached the spot that we had chosen two years before. A spot that has a magnificent view of the Laurentians and is above the most expert ski trails of Mont Tremblant, ones that Robin could do with ease and grace.

We sat down with our Cold Perriers, Ruffus and Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah Chorus. And we cried and cried and cried and cried. And after a long time we stood up and we saw the glory of the view. We understood that those mountains express eternity and that they have been there long before us, before Robin and will be there long after we are gone, and they are a part of us, and Robin is a part of them. And a feeling of peace came over us, a peace unlike any other that we have experienced so far, on this path that no parent should ever have to walk.

On our way down, our steps were lighter. We discovered many plaques honoring the loved ones, of others, who had also chosen this beautiful place for eternal rest. And we understood, that we are not the only ones, who know this loss and we understood that we are all part of something bigger than us. The rest of the way down, we marveled at the beauty and the magic of this wonderful place and it came to us, that when our time comes, we will join Robin at the summit.

And later, that evening we went to our corner pub and raised a glass to our boy Robin. And that is how we walked this part of the journey.

It is my sincere hope and wish that by sharing this part of our story, others will be helped as they find their own path.

As always all the best,

Susy