Loss….

Well we started out this blog with the intention that we would post at least a few times a week and hopefully even more, partly to keep things up-to-date about our new house sitting life not only here in the Bahamas but also on our past and future travels. However, sometimes life throws you a curve ball and that’s just what happened to us… After several relaxing weeks settling into our 10 week house sit in the Bahamas and then several more weeks trying to learn how to do some of the technical things necessary to start up our blog, life suddenly became much more complicated. Jeremy’s mother had been unexpectedly diagnosed with terminal cancer in August at the age of 89 with the prognosis of six months or so but unfortunately this was not to be the case and she became increasingly ill. It became obvious that it was going to be necessary for Jeremy to return to our hometown of Montreal in order to say goodbye to his mom, which thankfully he was able to do. Jeremy then spent the next two weeks in Montreal helping to make arrangements for his mom’s funeral and visiting with our children and relatives before flying back to the Bahamas for the last two weeks of our house sit. To be honest at this point our hearts just weren’t into working on the blog so we spent the time quietly, Jeremy doing a number of projects around the home that we were looking after and also just spending quiet times walking on the glorious beach with Choco the lovely dog we were looking after. So in the end we did not do anymore exploring and just stayed close to our temporary home in Treasure Cay. This is precisely what the doctor ordered and gave Jeremy a chance to rest and grieve in peace and quiet.

Thankfully, Jeremy’s mom Dominica had come to visit us for two weeks last February in Nicaragua and we had had a glorious time that had made lasting memories for the three of us and we are so grateful to have those now.

Nicaragua memories February 2015

Below are a few words that Jeremy shared at the time of his mothers death…
It is with great sadness that I have to announce the passing of my wonderful mother, Dominica Porteous. She battled her short bout with cancer with dignity and grace.
As a single mother of 3 for almost 60 years she worked tirelessly to make sure we children had the most wonderful and happy childhood. She leaves behind 3 children, 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. She had an incredible effect on everyone she met. She will be sorely missed and I will think of her every day.
My special thanks goes out to the facility and staff of the West Island Palliative Care for their incredible care of not only my mum but my siblings and myself.