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See You Later?
On September 14, 2017 I wasn’t able to make it home in time for dinner because an accident had traffic backed up everywhere. Our son Chris was framing a new building in Richmond so he asked his mom Rose Mary, if he could have dinner with us to avoid the tunnel traffic jam. Rose Mary and I were going to a movie that night so I told her I would eat at a restaurant near the movie theater and Chris could give her a ride to meet me when the traffic subsides. It was unfortunate that I wasn’t able to get home to be with my family that evening, as Chris only joined us occasionally for a meal since he got married to Marie and moved to Ladner. No big deal though, I thought, as we would have many more opportunities ahead of us.
That night, I went for a short walk around Silver City after dinner. Rose Mary texted me to say Chris had just dropped her off. I saw Chris drive out of the parking lot on the beautiful, sunny evening and with his window rolled down, we yelled “Hi” to each other and said “see ya later!” Well, it wasn’t to be. The next evening Chris died in a tragic off-road truck accident in the mountains near Squamish. I did see his lifeless body at the funeral home but obviously he and I will never talk again, at least not here on earth.
The title to this reflection piece came to me one morning when our ‘California daughter’ (a friend of our son Nick, who is staying with us for all of 2018) wished me a good day as she was leaving for her class at Vancouver Film School. I said “see you later” as she left our home. On my bike ride to my office in Metrotown, I reflected on my comment to Erin that morning, “see you later”. Would I see Erin later that day? Would I see anyone later that day? Would I even make it alive to the office?
We never know when our time on earth will end. We sometimes live like we have forever, but we don’t! Thankfully, we generally don’t live in fear of all the negatives that could happen everyday of our lives. As I write this, I am on an airplane flying to Frankfurt from Vancouver. Rose Mary and I phoned our son Nick while sitting on the tarmac and said we would message him when we arrive safely, hopefully. There is no guarantee that will happen, so we took the time to share how much we loved one another. No guarantees that we will “see you later”, but a thankfulness for the blessings of family and friends in our lives and an appreciation to live in the moment and treat people like it could be the last time we will ever see them again.
Epilogue (February 2019)
In mid-December, 2018, our God-sent ‘California daughter’ Erin (yes Anna, you are also one of our California daughters) moved back to California to pursue her career after living with us for one year. What a blessing Erin was for Rose Mary and me! Within months of Chris’ passing, and with Nick attending school in Los Angeles, Erin brought life into our home when we needed it most. I believe God knew that we would need Erin’s outgoing personality on so many of the dark, quiet evenings in our home during those trying winter months of grieving for Chris. I kept myself busy with my two hockey teams, board meetings at church and instructing retirement seminars at BCIT. THANK YOU Erin, for being there for us, especially Rose Mary, as you allowed me to maintain my busy schedule because I knew you and Rose Mary were connecting so well at home.
Erin, I’m crying in front of several people in the coffee shop as I write this, as I am so thankful for you and definitely hope that we will ‘See You Later’.
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter and receive free educational articles and videos each month.
See You Later?
On September 14, 2017 I wasn’t able to make it home in time for dinner because an accident had traffic backed up everywhere. Our son Chris was framing a new building in Richmond so he asked his mom Rose Mary, if he could have dinner with us to avoid the tunnel traffic jam. Rose Mary and I were going to a movie that night so I told her I would eat at a restaurant near the movie theater and Chris could give her a ride to meet me when the traffic subsides. It was unfortunate that I wasn’t able to get home to be with my family that evening, as Chris only joined us occasionally for a meal since he got married to Marie and moved to Ladner. No big deal though, I thought, as we would have many more opportunities ahead of us.
That night, I went for a short walk around Silver City after dinner. Rose Mary texted me to say Chris had just dropped her off. I saw Chris drive out of the parking lot on the beautiful, sunny evening and with his window rolled down, we yelled “Hi” to each other and said “see ya later!” Well, it wasn’t to be. The next evening Chris died in a tragic off-road truck accident in the mountains near Squamish. I did see his lifeless body at the funeral home but obviously he and I will never talk again, at least not here on earth.
The title to this reflection piece came to me one morning when our ‘California daughter’ (a friend of our son Nick, who is staying with us for all of 2018) wished me a good day as she was leaving for her class at Vancouver Film School. I said “see you later” as she left our home. On my bike ride to my office in Metrotown, I reflected on my comment to Erin that morning, “see you later”. Would I see Erin later that day? Would I see anyone later that day? Would I even make it alive to the office?
We never know when our time on earth will end. We sometimes live like we have forever, but we don’t! Thankfully, we generally don’t live in fear of all the negatives that could happen everyday of our lives. As I write this, I am on an airplane flying to Frankfurt from Vancouver. Rose Mary and I phoned our son Nick while sitting on the tarmac and said we would message him when we arrive safely, hopefully. There is no guarantee that will happen, so we took the time to share how much we loved one another. No guarantees that we will “see you later”, but a thankfulness for the blessings of family and friends in our lives and an appreciation to live in the moment and treat people like it could be the last time we will ever see them again.
Epilogue (February 2019)
In mid-December, 2018, our God-sent ‘California daughter’ Erin (yes Anna, you are also one of our California daughters) moved back to California to pursue her career after living with us for one year. What a blessing Erin was for Rose Mary and me! Within months of Chris’ passing, and with Nick attending school in Los Angeles, Erin brought life into our home when we needed it most. I believe God knew that we would need Erin’s outgoing personality on so many of the dark, quiet evenings in our home during those trying winter months of grieving for Chris. I kept myself busy with my two hockey teams, board meetings at church and instructing retirement seminars at BCIT. THANK YOU Erin, for being there for us, especially Rose Mary, as you allowed me to maintain my busy schedule because I knew you and Rose Mary were connecting so well at home.
Erin, I’m crying in front of several people in the coffee shop as I write this, as I am so thankful for you and definitely hope that we will ‘See You Later’.