43 years

Today marks 43 years since my Dad passed away at the too young age of 45.

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Today is 43 years since Sgt D'Arcy Donald Larose CD passed away. He was my Dad, and I still miss him deeply. I raise a beer to toast his memory, the beer I never got to drink with him.



I think of Dad often, but wish I could understand why life deals us the hands it does. What is the meaning of our Life's Journey? All my memories are of you and the love and pride you had of your family, you always had time for all of us.



This is the only photo I have of Dad with all the siblings together. This is how I will always remember Dad. Dad will never die as long as he lives in our hearts and souls.



My beautiful Niece Nicole honoured his memory by naming her beautiful son Kaedan Darcy Larose. It is truly sad that D'Arcy never got to enjoy his Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren, I know he would beam with pride over each one of them.

My God Dad I still miss you, I only think of you when the Last Post is played. Someone once told me I had an Angel looking over me. I know that you are that Angel, still a lone sentry watching over us.



Dad spent his entire adult life in uniform, he fought, Britain 1942, Invasion of Sicily 1943, Italian Campaign (included Monte Cassino, and Liberation of Rome) 1943-44, France &  Belgium 1944, Liberation of Holland 1945,  for our freedoms and stayed in uniform in peacetime.

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“Love is stronger than death even though it can't stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can't separate people from love. It can't take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death.” (unknown)

“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love.” (Washington Irving)

For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8



Life's journey doesn't end with death, it is a new beginning. Follow your heart my friend. As we travel in our journey remember fondly those who cross out paths, albeit often too briefly. It is this journey that makes us what we are.