Tag Archives: Family

Southampton Memories

Travels, , ,

This Civic Long Weekend I am doing something I have never done – going on a cottage vacation to Southampton, Ontario.

I’ve been to a cottage before, as I’m sure nearly everyone in Southern Ontario has, but I have never been to Southampton.

My first impression was, “this town is lovely!” Touted as the oldest port on the Bruce Coast, Southampton has miles of long sand beaches, big sweeping trees, many houses over 100 years old and a quaint downtown with shops and restaurants.

I did something I haven’t done in ages. I took mental pictures. I left my phone in my pocket and my camera in it’s bag and I just soaked it all in. I let the gentle breeze of the lake wash over my face. I let the sand get between my toes. I ate a slice of delicious pizza from a local restaurant and I just savoured the flavour of the pepperoni, cheese, sauce and crust.

I created memories in my mind. I shared laughs with my family and marveled in the joy of my nephew discovering the beach.

The town is relaxed. The people are friendly. The properties are fantastic and the views are completely worth the drive.

It wasn’t until the sun was setting that I picked up the camera. Looking west over a glossy Lake Huron through a hazy sky, I couldn’t help but reflect on a fantastic day with family, laughter and love.

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Of life and loss – Remembering Ray Hachey

The History of Me, , ,

This week members of my family suffered a very unexpected loss. My sister-in-law’s step father took a fall and suffered severe head trauma. His death was instantaneous and it really came as a shock to everyone.

Ray Hachey 22-Jun-1946 to 16-Jun-2014
Ray Hachey ~ 22-Jun-1946 to 16-Jun-2014

Ray Hachey was 6 days shy of his 68th birthday.

In talking with my brother and his family, everyone seemed numb. How can someone be so alive the day before, celebrating Father’s Day, laughing and joking and holding onto his granddaughter, and within hours he is gone?

Death can be long and slow for some, or instantaneous for others. It can be deliberate, or a cruel twist of fate.

Ray was a wonderful caring man. Quietly in the background making sure everyone around him was happy. He was a family man and adored spending time with my brother and his family and they adored spending time with him.

In his younger years, Ray was in the navy and was incredibly proud of the work he did there.  Later in life he loved spending time at his home in Cambridge, Ontario and worked on his gardens and deck. He took pride in his work and absolutely adored his partner Louise. They cared for each other, and it was evident whenever they were around each other.

Something about the loss of Ray has hit me hard. It is the entire idea of life and loss. Here one day, gone the next. This hits home for me how much it means to tell those you love how you feel, to let go of the things that hurt you, and to really look inwards toward what you really want in your life.

I know Ray spent his last day doing something he loved. He was surrounded by family in his back yard. He laughed, he smiled, he shared stories. His fall was sudden, but his life was lived.

I hope when my time comes, people can say the same for me. “Her life was lived.”

All the best to you Ray. Guess we’ll catch you on the flip side.

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”
~ Thomas Campbell

UPDATE: A celebration of Ray’s life will take place at his home in Cambridge Friday June 20, 2014 anytime after 2pm. As per Ray’s wishes, no formal funeral has been arranged as he would like everyone to have a party in his honour.